Fredrik Olson
Fredrik Olson relocated to Qatar in 2021 to start working at the Embassy of Sweden in Doha. He has always loved collecting various items, a passion that developed during his childhood when he gathered stamps from letters, foreign coins leftover from trips abroad, movie cards, and bottle caps. Olson not only collects but also works on preserving his prized possessions, like the Commodore 128 computer and Nintendo Game & Watch games. These items hold special meaning to Olson, as they evoke memories of his childhood, especially the hours spent engrossed playing games on them. In recent years, he has also developed an interest in collecting other things, such as vintage Märklin model trains from that period and family heirlooms and objects passed down through generations in his family. For Olson, these collections hold great value connecting him to his past and family history.
Faisal Al-Essa
Throughout Faisal Al-Essa's childhood, he was surrounded by a deep appreciation for beauty and valuable possessions. His parents' influence sparked his interest in various passions and hobbies. A significant moment for him was when his uncle gifted him a small box of electronic devices that included Nintendo Game & Watch and Casio games, sparking his fascination with the world of technology. His fond memories of receiving a Sakhr computer from his father further fueled his passion for nostalgia. Over the years, he has developed a deep love for the "good old days", particularly the period of dubbed cartoons that played a significant role in shaping his, and many others, identity. Now, with a dream of sharing this passion with others, he aspires to showcase his collection of the "good old days" at the children's museum, Dadu, in Qatar, believing it to be an essential part of the nation's heritage.
Yousef Al-Ali
Since his childhood, Yousef Al-Ali’s love for gaming has been unwavering. Beginning with the Nintendo Entertainment System, Al-Ali immersed himself in classics like Super Mario, Duck Hunt, and Tank games. His fondness for tank games only grew with time, leading him to explore the world of Sega with titles such as Sonic and Ecco the Dolphin. However, it was with the PlayStation 1 that his passion for gaming truly flourished, spending countless hours competing with his siblings. Al-Ali's dedication to preserving gaming history became evident eight years ago when he began collecting classic devices. His collection now boasts a wide array of gaming devices and accessories, with a particular interest in obtaining rare and unique gaming systems.
Al-Senaidi Family
Abdulrahman Al-Senaidi started his computer career in the late 1980s and began collecting computer-related items, which culminated in the establishment of his private museum in 2010. Gathering programs, devices, and publications, he sourced most of his acquisitions from abroad, amassing a collection reaching 650 to 700 objects, which he catalogued in his database.
His daughters, Alya and Noora Al-Senaidi's affinity for computer games began in their childhood, particularly their shared enjoyment of the Super Smash Bros game. Alya's interest began around 2005-2006, when she was drawn to the GameCube, while Noora became enthusiastic about gaming with PlayStation 2 around 2007. In 2018, after Alya acquired Super Smash 64, a part of the Super Smash series, it prompted the sisters to start collecting devices and games that interested them.
Ali Al-Anssari
Ali Al-Anssari began his career in photography in 2008 before moving into cinematography and directing. His films "I" and "Qarar" were featured in various film festivals, including the prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. In addition to directing, he has collaborated with Doha Film Institute and Al Jazeera’s "A Show About Cinema." Currently working as Head of Digital Production at Qatar Museums, Ali is also a curator for the annual Collector’s Gallery at Geekdom. A lifelong collector, his passion for collecting started with Pokémon cards and has since expanded to include retro games and vintage movie posters, among other items. One of his most cherished possessions is his Atomic Purple Gameboy Color, holding sentimental value, along with the game "Pokémon Red". An active member of the action figure collector community, Ali is always on the lookout for rare collectables.
Reem Al-Kuwari
Reem Abdullatif Al-Kuwari did not initially plan to amass a collection of video game consoles. A fervent gamer since childhood, her journey began with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), playing alongside her family. Playing with her brother's Gameboy further ignited her passion for gaming. To obtain new consoles, she was required to excel academically, a condition that fuelled her academic diligence during the 1990s and early 2000s. Despite not always acquiring the specific consoles she desired; she gradually built a significant collection. Her love for gaming persisted into adulthood, prompting her to invest in the latest games for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 3. Additionally, she took advantage of opportunities during her travels to expand her collection by uncovering consoles at garage sales. Her deep-rooted passion for video games remains unwavering, as she firmly believes that gaming transcends age barriers, providing enjoyment across generations. The acquisition of the Atomic Purple edition of the Gameboy Color holds special significance for her, symbolising the reward for her academic accomplishments.
Noora Al-Nassr
Noora Al-Nassr began collecting at the young age of seven, starting with coins, and over the years, expanded her interest to old objects from the Gulf region, particularly from Qatar. For more than 15 years, she has collected an array of items including old dishes, school supplies, sweets, drinks, and old games. She has a particular interest in Gameboy and Nintendo. Unfortunately, she once had her prized Gameboy stolen which pushed her to make a considerable effort to acquire another one.
Fahad Al-Kuwari
Fahad Al-Kuwari, an award-winning writer and art director, began his career in the art department, working on projects such as Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist. He has been recognised with a Merit Award from The CIDA Awards for Excellence for his work developing a production design curriculum at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, where he also served as a guest lecturer. Holding the position of Senior Content Developer at Katara Studios, Fahad has a deep passion for preserving video game consoles and challenging the notion of evolutionary teleology within gaming. Through his collection, he emphasises what some might consider “failed” devices, revealing the sociopolitical factors that can impact the fate of technological innovations. Fahad's fascination with hand-held gaming and exposure to various hardware and software at his uncle's video game and computer store shaped his interests, evident in his extensive collection that includes his oldest video game cartridge, Tetris, a gift from his uncle that remains his favourite to this day.
Faisal Al-Ahmed
Faisal Abdulraheem Al-Ahmed is a former karate player turned bodybuilder. He has a passion for collecting classic and distinctive objects, with electronic games being a small part of his large collection. His interest in collecting electronic games started at the age of 7 when he received devices as rewards for his academic achievements.
While in middle school and during a medical trip to Thailand, he purchased the Nintendo Family console from an electronic shop, further adding to his collection. Faisal values the items in his collection for the memories they hold, connecting him to his childhood and teenage years. He plans to continue expanding his collection, focusing on items related to family, friends, school achievements, and special events.
Kamal Naji
An avid collector of local and international heritage items and classic objects, Kamal Naji also runs his own home museum. What began with stamps, a readily available item during his early years, soon evolved into a broader pursuit of local heritage and international classic objects. Naji views the acquisition and collection of these items not only as a personal interest, but also as a means of preserving and understanding diverse cultures worldwide. Each object that he has selected for display has a hidden story and memory. These objects, in his view, evoke a sense of happiness and joy reminiscent of his childhood. Despite their simple and modest function, these items hold tremendous personal value for Naji as they transport him to the past and serve as a tangible connection to his own history and cultural identity.
Saif Al-Kuwari
Saif Ghanim Al-Kuwari is an avid collector of retro games, figures, and models. His passion for collecting Sega games began in 2008, due to the fond memories he shared with his siblings and cousins. Over time, his interest expanded to include PlayStation games and their devices. What started as a hobby soon evolved into a pursuit of limited-edition games featuring art books, figures, and models. By 2010, his focus shifted towards collecting models, which he regards as artistic masterpieces. Saif believes that the world of collecting is vast and diverse, offering something for everyone. He fondly recalls a memorable experience in 2011 when he stumbled upon a rare Arabic version of the Sega game Syndicate at a small game shop in Doha's old market, Souq Al Jabr. This unexpected find further enriched his growing collection and became a cherished addition.
Faisal Al-Jaber
Dr Faisal Ibrahim Jaber Jassim Al-Jaber is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Qatar University. Aside from his academic pursuits, Dr Al-Jaber is an avid collector with a keen interest in Japanese anime and video games. His passion for video games and collecting began in childhood, influenced by his mother's love for gaming. This hobby not only provided him with entertainment but also served as a way to connect with family and friends, exchanging conversations, and even making new acquaintances. Dr Al-Jaber has fond memories of certain games that have left a lasting impression on him, such as Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars and World of Illusion. Another game is Shenmue, a game that was technically advanced at the time when it was released on Dreamcast.
Mohammed Al-Dosari
In 1991, Mohammed Ali Al-Dosari began his collecting journey. Starting with the purchase of the Sega Mega Drive, it quickly became his favorite device. Notably in his collection, the Neogeo stands out as being the most expensive addition to his collection when it was purchased. These cherished objects hold countless beautiful memories for him.
