OTTUMWA — It’s not being called a dress rehearsal for the Video Game Hall of Fame, but next Thursday sure looks like one.

The idea of a hall of fame in Ottumwa dates back to the early 1980s, when video games first began attracting large audiences, and virtually every town had an arcade.

Ottumwa seemed a natural fit, having been declared the video game capital of the world. That was due in large part to Twin Galaxies, the Ottumwa arcade that morphed into the official record keeper for video games internationally.

But the idea faded as video games moved out of arcades and into homes.

However, recent movies that track the history of video game competition have renewed interest, and a steering committee is working to make a hall of fame in Ottumwa a reality.

The 1 p.m. “Launch Party” Aug. 13 at Bridge View Center is the biggest attempt yet to build interest. The party is free and open to the public.

Walter Day, Twin Galaxies’ founder, is perhaps the movement’s loudest voice.

“I think if you get down to the core of what this story is all about, it is quite extraordinary,” he said. “It’s the amazing story of a small town trying to change its destiny and become the Cooperstown of the video game industry. It’s a pretty bold move, attempting something that you’d normally expect a major metropolis like Tokyo or Los Angeles to tackle.”

From 1-4 p.m. next Thursday, visitors will have the opportunity to see and play games on over 20 home consoles at Bridge View Center. Some date back to the beginning of the home video game era, though new consoles like the Wii are also included.

The idea is similar to what proponents hope the hall of fame will eventually have. The committee says the facility will open up the past for people who hear Commodore 64 with a nostalgic ear, as well as those who can’t believe their parents ever thought an 8-bit system was revolutionary.

“Kids can go see what this Atari was that dad used to play,” said committee member Dan Canny.

The games are not the only draw. The afternoon will also feature two tournaments featuring Guitar Hero 3 and Halo 3, two of the most popular game titles in recent years.

Displays will trace Ottumwa’s history with video games through press clippings, and some of the best players in video game history will be available to sign autographs.

Things shift to the theater in the evening with screenings that help detail Ottumwa’s role in early video games.

Canny said there are two fundamental goals for the event. First, people from outside Ottumwa were the ones to rediscover the connections between Ottumwa and video games and bring them to the public’s attention. The launch party is an opportunity for Ottumwans to remember those events and find out what’s happening with the hall of fame.