The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture has embarked on a groundbreaking digital journey to showcase the country’s vast cultural heritage through the launch of a metaverse platform named “Cultural Universe.” This pioneering initiative was unveiled on Saudi Arabia’s founding day, marking a significant milestone in the fusion of technology and history.
A virtual journey through Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural tapestry
The Cultural Universe metaverse, which became accessible on February 22, is a digitally constructed realm developed using Oracle’s Hyperledger Fabric 2.5 blockchain technology and droppGroup’s Generative Media Intelligence ai system, droppPhygital. This virtual world adopts a first-person shooter format for user Website navigation, enabling visitors to explore an intricately crafted path that reveals the extensive history of Saudi Arabia, dating back to 1727. As users progress along this path, they encounter immersive digital representations of significant historical events, which trigger detailed voice narrations in Arabic (with an English version yet to be made available).
An interactive journey through Saudi Arabia’s history, art, music, and more
This engaging experience extends far beyond historical exploration, embracing various sectors of Saudi heritage such as music, art, history, food, and crafts. Users can also engage with mini-Website video integration games, adding another layer to the platform’s richness and interactivity. The versatile Cultural Universe metaverse is accessible through various means, including websites, mobile devices, virtual reality headsets, and other digital platforms, ensuring compatibility across multiple mediums. This all-inclusive approach aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s dedication to fostering a diverse global audience’s engagement with Saudi culture.
A pivotal moment in cultural preservation and promotion
The Saudi Ministry of Culture views the launch of the Cultural Universe metaverse as a “transformative moment” in cultural preservation and promotion. It represents an essential step towards utilizing advanced technologies such as blockchain and ai to revolutionize the way global audiences engage with cultural heritage.
The Middle East’s metaverse movement: beyond hype and into development
Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of a Middle Eastern trend that goes beyond metaverse hype and focuses on its potential for economic and cultural development. Samuel Huber, CEO of LandVault, a metaverse firm collaborating with regional government agencies, underscores the considerable interest from Middle Eastern governments, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, in digitalizing their infrastructure. These efforts aim to cultivate dynamic economies and elevate the citizen experience, with the metaverse identified as a key cornerstone in this strategic vision.
As Saudi Arabia pioneers this cultural revolution in the digital era, the Middle East is poised to surpass mere metaverse buzz and harness its transformative power for sustainable progress.
