In line with the game's objective of enhancing Europe's oldest identity substrate through experiential in situ activities (visits to museums and archaeological sites) and online cultural games, research in the first year of the project covered the identification of scenarios (at least seven) best representing the linguistic and cultural diversity in the partnership countries in the historical period considered.
Great attention was paid to:
- Contextualising the Palaeo-European cultures geographically and chronologically;
- Identify the writing and the use of writing of the different cultures and the different types of inscriptions characteristic of a concrete epigraphic culture.
- Value the heritage that our history has left us over the centuries.
In close collaboration with the academic scientific partners and in line with the methodological and educational aspects identified and agreed upon by all researchers, the technology partners were responsible for structuring the platform and studying the strategies for creating the game. The partner expert in cartography created the ancient maps to be used for geolocation.
In the second year, an outline for a pathway model for the game has been produced. The document "How to Build a Pathway" was the starting point for creating the other pathways, creating the pathway editor and designing the user interface.
From a graphic point of view, a mockup was developed using the graphic elements and textures developed for the logo/website, an asset with a colourful environment and symbols (circle, square, triangle and St Andrew's cross) representing routes, stops, places, records (monuments) and challenges. The effect is fast, effective, accessible and intelligent.
In terms of storytelling, the partnership has designated a character for each route to tell the story and guide players through the different stages.
On the technical side, a pathway editor was created to manage the data produced by the scientific partners needed to develop the game.
In addition, a feasibility test of the paths was carried out using the following parameters: - the distance between stations on a land trail; - accessibility of stations and their location, and assurance that monuments and objects included in the trails will not be loaned to other institutions unless a good photograph or life-size replica is guaranteed in their place; - an equal number of stations, sites and documents must be the same in all trails.
