Thirteen Hongs of Canton: An Immersive Virtual Reality Game for Exploration of Cultural Heritage

Recent advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology have made it possible to effectively recreate traditional historical environments, allowing users to immerse themselves in real history and culture. The objective of this study is to develop a virtual experience of the commercial culture of the Thirteen Hongs of Canton, a significant trading site between China and Europe during the Qing dynasty. The game development involved creating an animated character navigating the streets of the Thirteen Hongs, surrounded by merchants, vendors, and tourists. The main goal of the game is for players to use VR controllers to purchase various products, while facing challenging tasks that require focus on different visual and auditory cues. The educational aspect of the game aims to enlighten players about the significant historical role of the Thirteen Hongs as a bustling trade hub, and to educate them about the diverse range of Chinese goods that were exported to European nations. This research explores the integration of digital games and VR technologies in order to enhance cultural heritage education, providing an engaging and effective learning experience. The findings of this study contribute to interdisciplinary research on VR technologies, cultural heritage education, and game design, opening up possibilities for future investigations in this field.