The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) has opened a new exhibition titled Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games, inviting visitors to explore the cultural history of some of the region’s most enduring pastimes. Opening on September 5 and running until June 7, 2026, the showcase blends history, design, and play through more than 150 artefacts and installations.
Unlike a typical museum display, Let’s Play! is designed to be highly interactive. Guests can step into communal play zones, try their hand at life-size board games, or challenge cutting-edge robots in strategy matches. From chess and weiqi (Go) to mahjong and carrom, the exhibition highlights both the traditional and the contemporary sides of gaming culture across Asia.
The Origins and Evolution of Classic Games
Visitors will uncover fascinating insights into the beginnings of beloved games. For example, chess started in India as chaturanga, a war simulation reflecting the four divisions of the ancient army—infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots. As the game spread to Persia and eventually across Europe, it transformed into the modern form known today, while also spawning Asian variants such as xiangqi in China and shogi in Japan.
Weiqi and xiangqi were more than just games. In imperial times, they were considered intellectual disciplines that cultivated patience, foresight, and strategy—virtues highly valued by rulers and scholars. Today, both remain recognised as competitive “mind sports,” supported locally by associations like the Singapore Chess Federation.
Other exhibits reveal the moral and spiritual symbolism embedded in games. Gyan chaupar, the Indian precursor to Snakes and Ladders, used ladders to represent virtues such as truth and generosity, while snakes symbolised vices like pride and anger. Similarly, congkak, a game played with seeds or shells, symbolised cycles of life and time. In parts of Indonesia, congkak even had ritual significance, sometimes played during funerary vigils as a way to guide souls into the afterlife.
Mahjong, From Cards to Global Craze
The story of mahjong also takes centre stage. Originating in 19th-century southern China as a development from a card game known as madiao, mahjong quickly spread through teahouses and social clubs. By the early 20th century, the game had captured international attention, with America experiencing such a craze that bone was imported specifically to manufacture tiles. In Singapore, mahjong remains a staple of community and family life, bridging generations and cultures.
Games as Cultural Connectors
Beyond traditional gameplay, ACM highlights the way games reflect shared heritage and cross-cultural exchange. Many games travelled across borders, adapting to local customs and values. The exhibition’s five themed sections trace these journeys, showing how games that began as teaching tools, rituals, or warfare simulations became part of everyday entertainment.
According to Clement Onn, director of ACM and the Peranakan Museum, the exhibition aims to highlight both the timelessness and the adaptability of games. “We hope that Let’s Play! fosters cultural exchanges in the region, and shows how games with long, rich histories remain alive and meaningful today,” he explained.
Modern Games and Technology
Let’s Play! also brings the story of games into the modern era. Artificial intelligence and robotics are now integral to competitive gaming, with examples such as AlphaGo’s historic win over world champion Lee Sedol in 2016 reshaping perceptions of human-machine interaction. The exhibition features SenseRobots, which today train elite players in both chess and Go.
The globalisation of Asian games is also reflected in recent events, including the FIDE World Chess Championship in 2024, hosted in Singapore. Visitors to the exhibition can step inside a recreation of that tournament’s match arena, where China’s Ding Liren faced India’s Gukesh Dommaraju in a dramatic final that crowned the teenage prodigy as champion.
The experience also extends into the digital world through ACMverse, a virtual space accessible on the Roblox app. Players can complete missions while on-site, unlocking rewards that blend physical and digital play.
Life-Size Fun and Artistic Installations
To ensure that the exhibition is as engaging as it is educational, ACM has created a communal play area where visitors can try oversized versions of checkers, aeroplane chess, and other classic favourites. A dedicated kiosk also offers board games ranging from global hits like Monopoly and The Resistance to locally created titles such as Singaporean Dream and Hawker Wars.
Art installations inspired by games add another creative dimension. Climbs and Slides by Singapore design studio Forest & Whale reimagines Snakes and Ladders as an interactive artwork, while Checkmates! by Vendy Methodos and Osheen Siva transforms the Singapore River promenade into a giant chessboard.
Visiting the Exhibition
Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games runs at the Asian Civilisations Museum from September 5, 2024 to June 7, 2026. Tickets are priced at 12 dollars for Singaporeans and permanent residents, while foreign visitors can purchase entry for 25 dollars. The exhibition is also eligible under the SG Culture Pass, making it more accessible for young learners and cultural explorers.
Conclusion
The Let’s Play! exhibition at ACM is more than just a showcase of traditional board games. It is an immersive journey that demonstrates how play has shaped human culture, connected communities, and adapted to technological change. By combining artefacts, interactive zones, digital experiences, and artistic reimaginings, the museum invites visitors to reflect on how games—whether ancient or modern—remain a powerful part of everyday life.
