-
Saudi Arabia has proudly launched the Cultural Universe, a ‘cultural’ metaverse platform, as a testament to its rich heritage and technologically progressive vision.
-
The Saudi Ministry of Culture envisions this metaverse as a cultural revolution to enhance appreciation for the nation’s arts and heritage.
-
The Cultural Universe metaverse offers an unprecedented way to learn and celebrate Saudi Arabian culture.
In an ambitious marriage of history and cutting-edge technology, Saudi Arabia has proudly launched the Cultural Universe, a ‘cultural’ metaverse platform dubbed the Saudi Arabia Metaverse. It is a testament to its rich heritage and technologically progressive vision. This initiative is a dazzling entry point into the nation’s vast historical tapestry, dating back to 1727, and marks a transformative moment for Saudi Arabia’s cultural dissemination.
On February 22, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture unveiled a striking digital universe dedicated to preserving and presenting the nation’s cultural legacy. Timed with the celebration of Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day, this metaverse initiative globally showcases the depth and diversity of Saudi cultural history.
The initiative comes to life on Oracle’s Hyperledger Fabric 2.5 blockchain technology and is developed using droppGroup’s Generative Media Intelligence (GMI) system, droppPhygital. The platform offers an immersive experience with a first-person perspective, allowing users to navigate this virtual space and gain intimate knowledge of historical milestones. This trailblazing approach accentuates user engagement, making history approachable and interactive.
Cultural Revolution: Saudi Arabia Metaverse Celebrates Founding Day
The Cultural Universe adopts an intuitive navigation schema akin to first-person shooter games. Here, users can embark on a shared journey along a designated path, discovering a wealth of information. As they draw closer to the historical recreations, auditory narrations in Arabic activate, detailing the significance of each event.
Beyond history, the metaverse incorporates other domains, including music, art, culinary arts, and crafts, resonating with Saudi heritage. Mini-video games enrich this cultural odyssey, deepening the connection to the heritage. The platform’s cross-platform functionality reflects the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to inclusivity and makes it accessible via various digital mediums, including mobile devices and VR headsets.
The Saudi Ministry of Culture envisions this metaverse as a cultural revolution to enhance appreciation for the nation’s arts and heritage. This initiative complements the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by leveraging digital infrastructure as a vehicle for cultural enrichment and economic diversification.
Also, Read Hedera Hashgraph Association Secures $250 Million Partnership for Web3 Advancements in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia harnesses this technology for economic growth as the Middle East progresses beyond the hype surrounding the metaverse. Samuel Huber, CEO of the metaverse firm LandVault, acknowledges the efforts of Middle Eastern governments, particularly those of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, in their pursuit to digitalize infrastructure and cultivate robust economies for their citizens. He aligns the metaverse with other technological pillars, such as blockchain and AI, as key drivers of regional economic development.
In a world-first, Saudi Arabia Metaverse, a national-level platform, intertwines digital and physical aspects to deliver shared 3D experiences that promise to reshape sectors, including business, education, healthcare, and tourism. This groundbreaking platform is another jewel in the crown of Saudi Vision 2030, shining light on the country’s achievements in music, art, history, gastronomy, and craftsmanship.
The metaverse’s accessibility is designed to be universally reachable, connecting people worldwide to the essence of Saudi culture through the simplicity of their mobile phones, VR gear, or computers. This platform democratizes participation in Saudi Arabia’s cultural narrative, inviting millions to engage, experience, and explore.
Users in the Saudi Arabia Metaverse explore its people’s vast history and culture uniquely and interactively. Navigation within this digital realm draws inspiration from first-person shooter games, offering an engaging and educational experience for users who can move freely along a common path with other visitors.
Here’s how users can navigate and explore the Cultural Universe:
Upon entering the metaverse, users experience a first-person viewpoint that enhances immersion and enables direct interaction with the virtual environment.
Guided Paths: A central pathway guides the users through different zones, each representing critical cultural aspects such as history, music, art, food, and crafts associated with Saudi heritage.
As users approach virtual representations of historical events or cultural artefacts, the system activates voice narrations in Arabic to explain the significance and details of the observed event or item.
Audio Narrations: These narrations provide rich storytelling, making the learning experience more engaging. However, the audintly available only in Arabic, with future potential for multilingual support.
Cultural Sections: The metaverse includes distinct sections focusing on specific cultural domains, rendering a comprehensive experience—from delving into traditional Saudi music to appreciating local art and craftsmanship.
Engaging in mini video games within the metaverse, users deepen their connection with Saudi culture entertainingly through thematically tied cultural exhibits.
Users can access the metaverse through various devices, such as PCs, smartphones, VR headsets, and other supported digital devices, appealing to a broad audience regardless of their technology preferences.
Live Events and Performances: The platform also supports broadcasting live cultural events, such as symphony concerts, allowing users to experience contemporary artistic expressions from Saudi Arabia in real-time.
The Cultural Universe metaverse offers an unprecedented way to learn and celebrate Saudi Arabian culture, accommodating users with different interests and learning preferences. It strives to be an inclusive experience, enabling participants from around the globe to discover and interact with the rich cultural fabric of Saudi Arabia within a state-of-the-art digital platform.
In the embrace of Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day celebrations, this metaverse platform not only serves as a homage to the past but also paves the way for a future where cultural preservation and technological innovation go hand in hand. It is a beacon of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering a rich cultural landscape, inviting the world to engage in a digital cultural renaissance.
Also, Read Ripple Empowers Onafriq Fintech: Unleashing Cross-Border Payment Capabilities Across Africa.