Case Studies VIRTUAL WARRANE II IMMERSIVE HERITAGE
PROBLEM
Virtual Warrane II was developed as an interactive exhibit by acclaimed Indigenous Multimedia Expert, Brett Leavy as Immersive Heritage, and as a sequel to the video game, Virtual Warrane. The intention was to provide an immersive way to tell the story and history of Warrane - known today as Sydney Harbour.
SOLUTION
Real Serious Games partnered with Brett to develop Virtual Warrane II, presented as an immersive heritage landscape that displays the arts, culture, and heritage of the Gadigal people, the Original Custodians of Warrane. The experience presents stories told by the Custodians of Sydney and was informed by historical records, original oil paintings, and research by anthropologists and archaeologists.
Using 3D visualisations and gaming technology, Virtual Warrane II allowed people to explore the land, life and culture of the Traditional Owners, and shows what Sydney Harbour was like before the arrival of the first fleet in 1788. Graphic overlays reference modern-day buildings and landmarks, with embedded videos and recordings teaching about the Gadigal way of life.
VALUE
Immersive Heritage was invited to showcase Virtual Warrane II at Sydney’s Customs House, where it was open for the public and received fantastic feedback and engagement from people of all ages. As a result of this success, the exhibition run time was extended from a period of few weeks to months.
Virtual Warrane II received media coverage by SBS, showcasing how the exhibit allowed members of the public to experience the sacred connection between the Gadigal people and the land through the use of immersive technology.
The work also went on to be installed as a digital artwork at the entrance to Wynyard Walk at Wynyard Station.
LIKELY APPLICATIONS ELSEWHERE
Interactive, immersive environments such as this serve as a powerful platform to tell stories and show history, by allowing participants to actively explore and engage with the virtual world.
As shown through this exhibit, the ability to manipulate a virtual environment also allows additional context or information to be built into the experience in a visual way. For Virtual Warrane II, overlaying the modern-day landscape onto the traditional provided people with a familiar reference point to better appreciate and understand the historical world they were exploring.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/hi-tech-exhibit-walking-sydneys-sacred-tracks/u53p6iebi
