Saudi Arabia’s National Museum has used artificial intelligence, virtual reality and sound engineering to help young participants transform heritage artifacts into playable games.
The fourth edition of “Tac-Tech: Your Game” ran from July 11 to August 6, bringing together 120 participants aged 12 to 14 in two cohorts. Over two weeks, they developed physical and digital games inspired by items including the Lion with the Claw, the Princess of Thaj and prehistoric rock art from Najran.
The program offered three tracks. Game Innovators created hybrid board games linked to virtual reality, World Builders developed heritage-themed games on Roblox, and Puzzle Makers built cultural escape-box experiences.
Participants moved through four stages: exploring museum collections, creating game narratives and rules, programming their concepts, and testing and presenting the final products.
The museum said the program is designed to make visitors active participants in discovering knowledge and to help young people reinterpret their heritage through creative work.
This year, the museum worked with Saudi studios Sadu Studio, Lamba Innovation Center and Taqueen Creative Studio. Merak Capital also brought founders from its gaming portfolio to review the projects and provide feedback. The firm’s $80 million Gaming Fund has invested in almost 40 gaming companies, according to the announcement.
Participants finished with 3D-printed characters and digital games, as well as board games or cultural escape boxes depending on their track.
Source: Arab News
