InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Metaverse

This paper explores contemporary approaches to preserving and promoting cultural heritage by integrating game elements and advanced technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). In an era increasingly shaped by digital innovation, preserving cultural heritage demands new str...

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Main Authors: Paula Srdanović, Tibor Skala, Marko Maričević
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/257
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author Paula Srdanović
Tibor Skala
Marko Maričević
author_facet Paula Srdanović
Tibor Skala
Marko Maričević
author_sort Paula Srdanović
collection DOAJ
description This paper explores contemporary approaches to preserving and promoting cultural heritage by integrating game elements and advanced technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). In an era increasingly shaped by digital innovation, preserving cultural heritage demands new strategies to sustain engagement with historical narratives and artifacts. Emerging technologies like VR and AR offer immersive, interactive experiences that appeal to modern audiences, especially younger generations accustomed to digital environments (Bekele and Champion). Gamification—the use of game design principles in non-game contexts—has gained significant traction in education and cultural heritage, providing new methods for increasing user engagement and retention (Werbach and Hunter). By incorporating gamified features, heritage can be made more accessible, fostering emotional connections and deeper understanding (Huotari and Hamari; Zichermann and Cunningham). This aligns with the shift toward interactive digital storytelling as a tool to transform static heritage presentations into dynamic, participatory experiences (Champion and Rahaman). Central to this research is the conceptualization and development of a mobile application leveraging VR and AR to enhance user engagement and education around cultural heritage. Drawing on the principles of self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan) and empirical findings on gamified learning (Landers and Landers), the application combines educational content with interactive elements, creating an immersive learning environment. By addressing both content accessibility and interactive immersion, this application bridges the gap between traditional heritage preservation and the expectations of a digitally native audience. The recent literature underscores the potential of VR and AR in cultural preservation, emphasizing their ability to transcend physical boundaries, simulate historical environments, and promote active participation (Milgram and Kishino, Addison; Azuma). As virtual environments evolve, platforms like the metaverse expand possibilities for experiencing cultural heritage in spaces free of geographical limitations (Cipresso et al.; Radianti et al.). Such advancements have already demonstrated significant educational and experiential benefits (Wu et al.; Akçayır and Akçayır). This study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the target group’s attitudes toward gamified technologies for cultural heritage preservation. The initial results indicate substantial interest and willingness among users to engage with applications employing VR and AR. This aligns with findings in the literature that suggest immersive experiences can enhance learning outcomes and foster long-term engagement (Merchant et al.; Speicher et al.). The project has garnered significant recognition, receiving the Rector’s Award for the best scientific paper in the technical field at the University of Zagreb and earning bronze medals at the ARCA Innovation Fair and the INOVA Fair. These accolades underscore the project’s innovative approach and its potential for real-world application. By presenting a robust framework for integrating gamification and immersive technologies into cultural heritage preservation, this paper contributes to the growing discourse on utilizing advanced digital tools to ensure the sustainability and relevance of cultural heritage for future generations.
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spelling doaj-art-70119038d944477f8043402b5bc536c42025-01-10T13:14:58ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0115125710.3390/app15010257InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the MetaversePaula Srdanović0Tibor Skala1Marko Maričević2Faculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaThis paper explores contemporary approaches to preserving and promoting cultural heritage by integrating game elements and advanced technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). In an era increasingly shaped by digital innovation, preserving cultural heritage demands new strategies to sustain engagement with historical narratives and artifacts. Emerging technologies like VR and AR offer immersive, interactive experiences that appeal to modern audiences, especially younger generations accustomed to digital environments (Bekele and Champion). Gamification—the use of game design principles in non-game contexts—has gained significant traction in education and cultural heritage, providing new methods for increasing user engagement and retention (Werbach and Hunter). By incorporating gamified features, heritage can be made more accessible, fostering emotional connections and deeper understanding (Huotari and Hamari; Zichermann and Cunningham). This aligns with the shift toward interactive digital storytelling as a tool to transform static heritage presentations into dynamic, participatory experiences (Champion and Rahaman). Central to this research is the conceptualization and development of a mobile application leveraging VR and AR to enhance user engagement and education around cultural heritage. Drawing on the principles of self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan) and empirical findings on gamified learning (Landers and Landers), the application combines educational content with interactive elements, creating an immersive learning environment. By addressing both content accessibility and interactive immersion, this application bridges the gap between traditional heritage preservation and the expectations of a digitally native audience. The recent literature underscores the potential of VR and AR in cultural preservation, emphasizing their ability to transcend physical boundaries, simulate historical environments, and promote active participation (Milgram and Kishino, Addison; Azuma). As virtual environments evolve, platforms like the metaverse expand possibilities for experiencing cultural heritage in spaces free of geographical limitations (Cipresso et al.; Radianti et al.). Such advancements have already demonstrated significant educational and experiential benefits (Wu et al.; Akçayır and Akçayır). This study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the target group’s attitudes toward gamified technologies for cultural heritage preservation. The initial results indicate substantial interest and willingness among users to engage with applications employing VR and AR. This aligns with findings in the literature that suggest immersive experiences can enhance learning outcomes and foster long-term engagement (Merchant et al.; Speicher et al.). The project has garnered significant recognition, receiving the Rector’s Award for the best scientific paper in the technical field at the University of Zagreb and earning bronze medals at the ARCA Innovation Fair and the INOVA Fair. These accolades underscore the project’s innovative approach and its potential for real-world application. By presenting a robust framework for integrating gamification and immersive technologies into cultural heritage preservation, this paper contributes to the growing discourse on utilizing advanced digital tools to ensure the sustainability and relevance of cultural heritage for future generations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/257cultural heritagegamificationmetaverseimmersive technologieseducation
spellingShingle Paula Srdanović
Tibor Skala
Marko Maričević
InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Metaverse
Applied Sciences
cultural heritage
gamification
metaverse
immersive technologies
education
title InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Metaverse
title_full InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Metaverse
title_fullStr InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Metaverse
title_full_unstemmed InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Metaverse
title_short InHeritage—A Gamified Mobile Application with AR and VR for Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Metaverse
title_sort inheritage a gamified mobile application with ar and vr for cultural heritage preservation in the metaverse
topic cultural heritage
gamification
metaverse
immersive technologies
education
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/257
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AT tiborskala inheritageagamifiedmobileapplicationwitharandvrforculturalheritagepreservationinthemetaverse
AT markomaricevic inheritageagamifiedmobileapplicationwitharandvrforculturalheritagepreservationinthemetaverse