The Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, launching a virtual universe dedicated to showcasing and safeguarding the nation's rich cultural heritage. Marking the founding of the country, the Cultural Universe Metaverse initiative was officially introduced on February 22, offering users an immersive journey through Saudi Arabia's history dating back to 1727. Leveraging Oracle’s Hyperledger Fabric 2.5 blockchain technology, the Metaverse is powered by droppPhygital, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system developed by droppGroup’s Generative Media.
Designed to offer a unique and interactive experience, the virtual world adopts a first-person shooting approach to enable seamless navigation. Users can freely traverse public paths, interacting with other users while delving into detailed information presented on both sides of the paths. Additionally, proximity to historical events within the virtual environment triggers spoken audio narrations providing in-depth explanations of the events. However, it's noteworthy that the audio content is currently available exclusively in Arabic, with no English language option provided.
Beyond its historical narrative, the cultural universe encompasses various dedicated areas celebrating Saudi heritage, including music, art, history, cuisine, crafts, and even mini video games. Accessible free of charge, the service can be enjoyed via web browsers, mobile devices, virtual reality headsets, and other compatible digital platforms. According to an official statement from the Saudi government, the initiative underscores the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring diverse audiences worldwide can engage with and explore Saudi culture's richness.
For the Saudi Ministry of Culture, this launch signifies a pivotal moment and a catalyst for cultural transformation. Samuel Huber, CEO of LandVault, a virtual reality company collaborating with numerous entities, remarked that Saudi Arabia, along with other Middle Eastern nations, has transitioned beyond the initial hype surrounding virtual reality. Instead, it is now leveraging this technology to foster economic development, a trend observed across various government agencies in the region. Huber emphasized the significance of the Metaverse, alongside blockchain and artificial intelligence, as fundamental pillars driving the Middle East's economic growth agenda.
