Authenticity in Interactive Experiences

Building on our previous work presented at the Eurographics GCH conference, this paper further explores the characteristics of an “authentic experience”, developing a framework that can be applied to the development of XR and hybrid applications in the field of cultural heritage. While recognising the broader concept of authenticity, we have not focused on an in-depth analysis of it. Instead, we focus specifically on “authentic experiences”. Here, we have extended the definition of authenticity beyond realism or sense of presence, proposing instead a multi-dimensional approach to engaging users cognitively, emotionally, and sensorially (the “Self” dimension) and, at the same time, including two other fundamental dimensions (the “Others” and the “World”) intrinsically connected to the “Self”. We have then further detailed these three dimensions, which are the pillars of the perception of authenticity, identifying their “components” and “elements”. Finally, we transformed the elements into “actionable” design indications, setting the ground to further develop specific design (UI and UX) strategies for digital heritage and serious game applications.