Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
The Manitoba Computer & Gaming Museum (MCGM) has launched with a mission to safeguard the history of computing and gaming, showcasing both Canadian and international advancements. This non-profit organization aims to engage the public, especially young people, by highlighting the stories behind vintage technologies.
A Community-Driven Initiative
Led by a diverse board of directors, with collaboration from the industry, academia, government, together with Indigenous and newcomers communities, the MCGM will offer seasonal exhibitions, educational classes, lectures, workshops, and fundraising events to provide hands-on experiences with retro computing and videogames. The museum plans to host “pop-up” events throughout Manitoba to raise awareness and gather donations of computers, consoles, and accessories, enriching its collection.
Celebrating Unique Contributions
The museum will document not only global computing milestones but also Manitoba’s unique role in the industry. By sharing personal stories connected to historical technologies, the MCGM aims to illustrate how these innovations have shaped communities and lives.
A Call for Support
As preparations for a physical launch in 2027 continue, the MCGM seeks partnerships with the provincial government and private organizations. The museum invites donors and supporters to contribute to its mission.
Looking Ahead
With exciting pop-up activities on the horizon, the Manitoba Computer & Gaming Museum is set to become a vital educational resource. By honouring the past and inspiring future generations, the MCGM will celebrate the enduring legacy of computing and gaming history for years to come.
Introducing the members of the board
Chair of the Board – Fabio Hofnik
Co Chair – James Robert Perih
Research, collections, exhibitions team – Rhonda Hinther, Ryan Clement, Fabio Hofnik, Greg Bak
Operations, logistics team – Charles Jensen, Adrian Stoness
Gov., Indigenous relations – James Robert Perih
Communications – Graham Downey , Fabio Hofnik, Jonathan Lê
Website hosting – Uptime Networks
Auxiliary members – Adrian Stoness, Doug Hamm, Edwin Amsler, Bryan McIntosh, Mathew Gerrard-MacMillan
Fabio Hofnik is a seasoned business development and marketing leader with over a decade of experience in driving innovation and creativity within the fields of interactive technologies, digital arts, and immersive experiences. He began his career by organizing small tech community gatherings in Brazil and has since scaled Hyper to an international platform, establishing strategic partnerships across the UK, France, Switzerland, the USA, and Canada. Fabio leads industry ecosystem initiatives that leverage video games, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, honoring the historical evolution of technology while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by modern advancements.
James Robert Perih has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years, transitioning to Software Development mid-way through. Born in Winnipeg, and having lived in various parts of Western Canada, he’s returned to Winnipeg to serve his family, reconnect with his Métis heritage, and share his passion for retro computing.
Dr. Rhonda Hinther is a professor of history at Brandon University (BU), an active public historian, and the co-founder and coordinator of the BU Public History Program. Before joining BU, she served as Director of Research and Curation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and, before that, as Curator of Western Canadian History at the Canadian Museum of History.
Her research interests include oral history, museum history, gender and women’s history, migration history, internment history, and the history of radical activism in Canada.
Dr. Ryan Clement is faculty instructor with the Department of Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications at University of Winnipeg, where he researches subjects such as: game studies, comic studies, speculative fiction, and space humanities. Ryan also designs games (most recently, the educational game Scholar School Schemes), publishes creative writing and comics, and has experience both in improvised theatre and multimedia storytelling. Having travelled to over 80 countries and lived on four continents, he is still a prairie boy at heart, having been born and raised in Brandon, Manitoba.
Greg Bak specializes in archival studies and digital histories, with a particular focus on archival decolonization and the history and current practice of digital archives. He teaches archival studies, heritage studies and digital history at the undergraduate level. Prior to 2011 I was a senior digital archivist with Library and Archives Canada.
While at Library and Archives Canada, He was part of the team that sought to build a Trustworthy Digital Repository (TDR). Upon arrival at the University of Manitoba he was brought onto the team that wrote the successful bid to steward the archives and research centre to continue the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Graham Downey is an undergraduate student studying Applied Computer Science at the University of Winnipeg and an avid collector of vintage computers with a particular interest in maintaining and working with legacy systems and researching computing history.
Charles Jensen has worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 32 years, with a focus on service provider networks across Canada. Originally from Thompson, he is a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) and has spent his career supporting the technical needs and operational requirements of large network environments. Charles is an Operating Partner at Uptime Networks, where he contributes practical expertise and helps deliver reliable technical services to major Canadian service providers. Outside of work, he is an avid follower of technology and has a particular interest in retro computers and the technology behind them.
Doug Hamm is a seasoned technology leader with over 30 years of experience in IT operations, strategic planning, and digital innovation. Currently serving as Director of Technology Operations at MPI, Doug brings a rich background from previous roles at The North West Company and the City of Winnipeg.
Doug is a passionate music enthusiast and photographer. He curates a comprehensive retro computing and gaming collection in his home and runs a local club for classic tech aficionados. Guided by the belief that “going where you’re needed most is rarely a poor decision,” Doug continues to inspire through thoughtful leadership and a dedication to community and innovation.
Bryan McIntosh has been a computer enthusiast since 1995, ever since he first tried to make his aging 80386 run games faster with varying levels of success. Sound cards and early graphics accelerators are a particular interest, and he loves sharing his knowledge with anyone who will listen. When he’s not puttering with old and new computers, Bryan enjoys cycling, running, and playing with his son.
Mathew Gerrard-MacMillan
Growing up in the late 1990s, Matthew’s fascination with technology began the day he received his first home computer. That early spark developed into formal training as a Multimedia Application Specialist at Robertson College, followed by professional work with Jostens Canada as a yearbook retoucher, where he gained hands-on experience with digital imaging and production workflows. He has a passion for late-90s and early-2000s computers, software, and gaming, as well as classic consoles from the 1980s. He is an active member of the Manitoba Retro Computer and Gaming Club, where he enjoys collecting and exploring the systems that shaped modern computing. He is committed to preserving and showcasing retro technology, helping the next generation discover the innovation, creativity, and history behind the machines that defined an era.