Diving into a heritage metaverse: Learning from end user-driven experiences and perspectives to enhance virtual heritage interpretation

Abstract

This study aims to explore the potential of the metaverse to determine if it can be an effective medium for realizing an end-user-driven heritage interpretation platform. To this end, we conducted an in-depth user-study using a combination of qualitative experimental methods (cultural probes and a focus group interview) to obtain data on the thought processes, experiences, and responses of end-users within the metaverse called the Peaceful Hill, a heritage metaverse created by the National Museum of Korea and hosted on Zepeto, a metaverse platform. The twelve participants in their 20s were recruited for a five-day experiment. Through an inductive thematic study, four themes related to the end-user experience in the process of virtual heritage interpretation were identified, as follows: structural components as virtual wider settings, interactive components as life-logging experience, mediating components as an actor, and heritage interpretation components. Then, based on the visual network analysis, we further explored the multiple connections and reciprocal influences of the above themes to uncover differences and similarities in user-perceived experiences in the metaverse compared to existing virtual environments. In addition, we offered insights and design considerations for establishing a participatory heritage interpretation experience in the metaverse.