Abstract:

In recent year, we have seen integrating game-like scenarios in the learning process as a method to achieve a more effective knowledge acquisition among students. The serious game format increases the learners’ involvement, develops critical thinking and leads to a solid understanding of the material. The impact and effectivity are further increased by incorporating virtual reality environment into the game scenario.

In this paper we present a new form of serious game, a virtual reality world set in the town of Aquae Calidae in ancient Thrace, in which, in an entertaining way, students improve their understanding of the ancient civilizations domain. This learning resource combines a number of digital tools for serious game development including virtual reality, panorama pictures of real ancient buildings, interactive gaming components for effective knowledge acquisition, etc. In the design and development process, we consider several ingredients: the game concept, the model of the gaming process and the student interactions within the learning gaming environment, the players’ look and feel, their profile and roles, the gameplay and the game progression, the model of the learning content, etc., all reflecting the national standards and requirements, specific educational aims and specifically target knowledge acquisition.

The game location is the town of Aquae Calidae (Latin for “Warm Waters”) in the ancient region of Thrace, near the Black Sea. Nowadays it is an archaeological reserve, located north of the Bulgarian coastal city of Burgas. The history of the ancient town is related to the famous hot mineral springs at the site and covers a long period of time from the 1st millennium BCE to the 16th century CE. The place and the town of Aquae Calidae (later Therma, Thermopolis) are linked with historical events from the Ancient Greek, the Roman, the Byzantine, the Medieval Bulgarian, The Crusades, and the Ottoman periods.

We hope to offer an inspiring way for primary-school students to broaden their knowledge of the ancient civilizations on the Balkan Peninsula.

Keywords:

Serious game, game development, gameplay, user experience, cultural heritage, education.