Bringing Our Elderly to Chinese Heritage Gaming in Virtual Reality: A Study of Preserving and Revitalizing Heritage Gameplay Experiences and Cultural Memories

Abstract Gameplay is one of the essential components of our culture and heritage. It brings collective memories and the formation of social networking within a particular time frame. This research explores the feasibility of preserving and revitalising heritage gameplay activities through the use of virtual reality (VR). The study aims to consolidate and clarify heritage games as a distinct field of study within the VR context. Experimental and historical research are applied to identify key heritage games and corresponding gameplay experiences, as reported by local elderly participants. A Chinese heritage game titled “Tag Game” was designed and produced for a post-experiment usability study that aimed to evaluate the elderly's overall gameplay experience and provide insights for future development in heritage gaming. The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between game challenge design and user enjoyment. Crucially, the sense of presence and immersive experience emerged as a crucial factor in enhancing overall gaming satisfaction among elderly players. The research team suggests that heritage game design should be informed by comprehensive historical and cultural studies to ensure the successful integration of these experiential elements. Focusing on participants' cultural memories can foster a more diverse heritage discourse and consolidate heritage games as a distinct research field.