Have you ever tried those games that museums use to showcase their collections? They can be amazing, but you might have noticed that hopping from one virtual museum to another isn’t as smooth as it should be. Each virtual experience is so different that it feels like you’re starting from scratch every time. So, why is this happening, and what can museums do to fix it?
Firstly, let’s talk about why virtual experiences in museums feel so disconnected. The main reason is that each museum typically develops its game independently. They hire different developers, use various technologies, and focus on unique user experiences. This approach results in a wide variety of environments, controls, and navigation systems. While it’s great for creativity and innovation, it can be a bit of a headache for users.
Imagine visiting a physical museum where the way you move, look at exhibits, and interact with displays changes room by room. That’s what it feels like when switching between different museum games. One minute, you’re using a control pad to move around, and the next, you’re teleporting from spot to spot with a completely different interface. It’s like learning a new language every time you want to enjoy some art or history.
Consistency is key in creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience. When virtual experiences are consistent, users can navigate them more easily and spend more time engaging with the content rather than figuring out the controls. Think about popular video games or apps. They follow design conventions that make it easy for users to understand and interact with them, no matter who made them.
In the case of museums, a consistent experience would mean that users could move smoothly from the Louvre to the British Museum to the Smithsonian without needing to adapt to new controls or navigation methods. This consistency would enhance the overall experience, making virtual visits more immersive and enjoyable.
So, how can museums fix this and offer a more unified virtual experience? Here are a few ideas:
Adopt Common Standards: Museums could collaborate to establish common standards for experiences. These standards would cover everything from movement controls to user interfaces. By adopting these standards, developers can create games that feel familiar to users, even if they’re visiting different collections.
Use Shared Platforms: Another approach is to develop experiences on shared platforms. For example, a platform specifically designed for cultural heritage games could provide a consistent framework for all museums. This platform could offer standardised controls and interfaces, ensuring that users have a similar experience across different games.
Collaborate and Share Best Practice: Museums can also benefit from collaborating and sharing best practices. By working together, we can learn from each other’s successes and challenges. This collaboration can lead to the development of more user-friendly virtual experiences that are consistent and engaging.
Seeing virtual curation as actual curation: Finally, museum teams are often not directly involved with creating virtual exhibitions, despite having all the skills required. It’s so important to stay in close contact with whoever builds the virtual experience, after all a virtual exhibition is an actual exhibition…
In a nutshell, the disjointed feel of museum games boils down to a lack of standardisation and collaboration. Each museum’s unique approach, while innovative, can make the user experience a bit jarring when moving between different virtual environments. But there’s hope! By adopting common standards, using shared platforms, collaborating, and applying existing skills in real-world curation to virtual curation, museums can create more seamless and enjoyable experiences.
Imagine a virtual world where you can smoothly glide from the Mona Lisa at the Louvre to the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum. That’s the future we should aim for – one where technology enhances our ability to explore and appreciate our rich cultural heritage.
So, here’s to hoping that museums will come together to make virtual experiences more connected and user-friendly. Until then, let’s keep exploring and enjoying the incredible virtual journeys they offer, one unique experience at a time.