The Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia has inaugurated a metaverse platform specifically designed to exhibit and safeguard the country’s cultural heritage, coinciding with its founding day celebrations.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Last week, the Cultural Universe metaverse project was launched, offering users an immersive journey through Saudi Arabia’s extensive history dating back to 1727. Developed using Oracle’s Hyperledger Fabric 2.5 blockchain technology, the metaverse was created by droppGroup’s AI system, droppPhygital, showcasing the nation’s heritage in a unique digital format.
In the virtual realm, a first-person shooter perspective is adopted to assist users in traversing the metaverse. Users have the freedom to stroll along a shared pathway alongside others, delving into the information presented on either side of the route. When approaching virtual depictions of historical events, users are greeted with voice audio narrations providing detailed explanations. Regrettably, these audio explanations are exclusively offered in Arabic and are not accessible in English.
Within the Cultural Universe, additional sections are devoted to various facets of Saudi heritage, encompassing music, art, history, cuisine, crafts, and even mini-games. Accessible through a range of digital platforms including websites, mobile devices, virtual reality headsets, and other compatible devices, this service is freely available for users to explore.
The Saudi government’s official announcement read: “This cross-platform compatibility embodies the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to inclusivity, enabling a diverse global audience to explore and engage with the rich history of Saudi culture.”
The Saudi Ministry of Culture is fully entrusted with the preservation and advancement of the nation’s cultural heritage, along with fostering contemporary artistic expression, and it perceives the metaverse as a pivotal moment of transformation. The initiative is hailed as a cultural revolution by the ministry, signifying its profound significance in cultural preservation and innovation.
According to Samuel Huber, CEO of LandVault, a metaverse company collaborating with several government bodies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and the broader region have transitioned beyond the “era of hype” surrounding the metaverse. Instead, they are now focused on leveraging this technology to enhance their economies.
Huber opined that the metaverse involves constructing 3D experiences seamlessly integrated within websites.
“What we found is the biggest segment are the governments in the Middle East, especially the UAE [United Arab Emirates], Saudi and Qatar, which are trying to digitalize their infrastructure and create really interesting economies for their citizens.”
He further emphasized that akin to blockchain and AI, the metaverse represents one of the key pillars that the Middle East is targeting for economic expansion.
