Grand Master Challenge. The Game.

“Grand Master Challenge” is a heritage game redesigned for the digital environment for the HERITAGE4GROWTH Project (2021-1-RO01-KA220-VET-000033109). 35 transnational participants test the prototype in situ and the digital environment, while developing gamification skills for tourism. The 3rd Re-Worked version is the continuation of the game design funded by the research and developmental project SEE/B/0016/4.3/X SAGITTARIUS, Southeast Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 and the prototype developed by the research and innovation project COSTOUR/2015304/ DIVERTIMENTO/ 699493, funded by the COSME Program for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises 2014-2020. The Game aims to effectively facilitates new heritage mobility model in Unesco enlisted Medieval City of Rhodes by communicating heritage values to non-captives audiences in an entertaining and participatory way. It is supported by the Menitmeter Application specifically designed to serve as an information hub for the Game plot, narratives and clues and facilitate spatial navigation through the Google Map. Structure and contents are aligned with human cognitive architecture to facilitate cognitive processing of information with tourism value. The Game enables an unlimited number of users to retrieve key media information and customize it according to their personal preferences. and points of enthusiasm, transforming their personal experiences into a ludic marketing tool. The Game refers to the inherently interesting and valuable tales that most heritage assets can narrate about the history, culture and environment of the surrounding landscape and communities. Telling the story is a creative process that includes many types of synergies among players. Through the story, citizens can express what is unusual and special about their communities. The Game is the intentional, coordinated message conveyed to the audience about the heritage assets and their qualities. The additional emphasis of quality and continuity of the gamer experience distinguishes the Game from other tourism products and management issues like landscape protection or land management efforts. The development of the game encourages also local stakeholders to seek out, document and communicate all the special qualities of a place: archaeological, natural, cultural, historic, recreational, and scenic. This makes the onsite experience an integrative experience: visual, educational, physical, and emotional. The Game aims at increasing cultural awareness among all participants during the LTTA: while most culture and tourism-oriented services include exceptional scenic or recreational heritage assets to attract consumer flows, the Game will draw experiences, broadened, and deepened by the story and its interpretation.