The Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia has introduced an innovative metaverse platform to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage. This groundbreaking initiative was unveiled on Saudi Arabia’s founding day.
Bridging the gap between the past and the future with the help of technology
The Cultural Universe metaverse, which was launched on February 22nd, is a digital realm built on Oracle’s Hyperledger Fabric 2.5 blockchain technology and developed by droppGroup’s Generative Media Intelligence AI system, droppPhygital. This virtual world adopts a first-person shooter format to make navigation easier, allowing users to explore a carefully designed path that reveals the extensive history of Saudi Arabia, dating all the way back to 1727. As users follow this path, they come across virtual representations of historical events. When approached, these events trigger detailed voice narrations in Arabic, although an English version is not yet available.
This immersive experience goes beyond just exploring history. It covers various sectors related to Saudi heritage, including music, art, history, food, and crafts. It also includes mini-video games to further enhance the user experience. The platform can be accessed through multiple mediums, such as websites, mobile devices, virtual reality headsets, and other digital devices, ensuring compatibility across different platforms. This inclusivity aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to allowing a diverse global audience to engage with Saudi culture.
A cultural revolution in the digital age
The Saudi Ministry of Culture sees the launch of the Cultural Universe metaverse as a “transformative moment” in cultural preservation and promotion. It signifies a shift towards utilizing advanced technologies like blockchain and AI to revolutionize how global audiences can access and understand cultural heritage.
With Saudi Arabia leading the way, the Middle East is going beyond the hype surrounding the metaverse and harnessing its potential for economic and cultural development. Samuel Huber, the CEO of LandVault, a metaverse company collaborating with regional government agencies, has highlighted the significant interest from Middle Eastern governments, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, in digitizing their infrastructure. These efforts aim to create dynamic economies and enhance the citizens’ experience, with the metaverse being recognized as a key aspect of this strategic vision.
