Conclusions

DESIGN EXPERIENCE

DESIGN INTERACTION

Interpretation of visual and auditoria reality yes

Narrative / Storytelling yes Digital characters yes

Stimulating senses limited

Navigation Manipulation and contribution yes

yes

Ludic activity

yes Dialog and collaboration yes yes

yes yes yes Yes bird eye, human

yes

yes yes

Conclusions

Table 9 Game elements used in highly engaging video games (source: Authors)

Virtual reconstructions and interpretations of history and culture is becoming increasilly important in

shaping our perception of the past. In the past, virtual heritage was limited to the accurate and realistic

visualization of objects and sites.

The above case studies of 3D, virtual tours or interactive platforms as virtual representations of historical

heritage, area tentative to enable people to relive historical space, to understand it and learn about the

past in an engaging and entertaining way. They open up to the opportunity to create interactive

storytelling experiences by combining interactivity with narratives in virtual environments. In

entertainment Video Games for Heritage, it’s evident that the level of representation, design experience

and interaction is higher and complete in all elements that guarantee engaging space in virtual reality.

As a result, game design tools need to be taken into account when designing virtual heritage. Game

engines supporting highly detailed game worlds and being equipped with artificial intelligence, are able

to offer interaction while being guided by a story model.

The similarities between architecture and video games explain the relevance of games tools in

architecture (both real and virtual). Many video game features, such as space, visual and auditory

representation, story, interactivity, and rules, are also characteristics of architecture. The

implementation of video game design tools in architectural design is a direct result of these common

features. The architectural design process is highly complex both in term of composition, design,

relation with clients, actors, and multiple requirements and restrictions. In this regard, the abstract

character of game mechanics is critical to response of these issues since it reformulates the design

challenge in simpler terms creating rule patterns. Video Games simplify complex systems, make them

visualized in a simple manner and provide worlds in which players and viewers may engage to prototype

new futures. Games can contribute in multiple direction in designing creative space in VR:

1. Interactive experiencing of architectural design and urban landscape.

Gamification can contribute in interactive experience of architecture in virtual reality. Architect are not

only sculptor of form, instead they design stories in space and offer interactive experiences of space. 3d

modeling software’s largely used by architect offer a volumetric analyses and visualization of buildings.

This provides the user with a sense of scale, which is crucial when designing a built environment. A scale

is the relationship between objects in space. In architecture this is fundamental. Gaming tools offer an

alternative way of scale perception. They provide walking through experience, which allow user to

control their design detail, perceive the atmosphere, have a sense of presence and have a close to real-

life sensation. This will help them to enhance the design project.

In reference to the urban design, it allows user to view the landscape in different perspective and

different conditions not possible in real life. Virtual cities reconstruction, for example allow user to

experience lost cities, which is useful for education. User can interact not only through navigation, but

also enhance the design by using manipulative tools that transform existing space, in order to have a

better experience.

2. Game space experience increase imagination

Video games contribute in experimentations in representation, in the creation of synthetic world and

utopian spaces, which before were represented on paper or through collage techniques. Games combine

different media such as 3d models, 2d graphics, animations, various form of narrative, behavior patterns,

rules and control systems, physics, and artificial intelligence protocols, expanding the possibilities of

creative spaces in VR.

Experiencing architecturally significant gaming spaces, ranging from historical to cultural to

technological, aids in the development of a distinct knowledge of architecture. It allows users to move

through time and space at their own pace, experiencing historical buildings and real-world

environments.

3. Gaming tools to create stories through space.

Architecture is the art of using space to communicate stories. Objects' shapes, materials, visual quality,

and style provide a nonverbal communication method for telling stories. Architects may construct great

visual tales, packed with characters and artefacts, using game storytelling techniques to tell stories about

people, culture, time, and location. This is extremely handy for re-creating old towns or monuments.

Users may engage in ultra-sensory interaction with the built environment and immerse themselves in

virtual environment portrait historical, real or fictional environments.

4. Gaming tools to test architecture and interior design

Architecture design and interior design deals with multiple volumes composition or furniture’s, materials, fabrics combination. Architect need to test multiple option and visually understand the effect

and qualities of space, functionality and aesthetics in order to choose the most suitable solution. Gaming

tools allow them to make composition by using already made blocks, or design interiors by picking

furniture and decorative elements, make multiple combinations and test their visual effect. Various

applications allow to compare compositions with other users.

Video games, as playful spaces, may improve the representation of interior, architectural and urban

design projects, not only for visualization of purposes, but also for exchanging ideas, receiving feedbacks

and evaluating different options in real time. New virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)

representation and visualization techniques, as well as new game tools that allow users to play with

variants, colors, textures, human scale, environment impact of objects etc. in real time, allow

professionals to troubleshoot problems before design is completed, and clients to have a friendly user

experience in a way they have never had before. Game tools contribute also to the creation of “digital twins” or virtual prototypes (VP) simulating real objects, architecture or urban systems. This means not only the physical reproduction in 3D, but also

interactive tools, parameters, data which can be tested in real time.

5. Gaming tools for strategic management