XR-PaestumGate is an immersive, VR-based serious game set within a diachronic reconstruction of the ancient city of Paestum. Players can freely walk through the city or ride a horse-drawn Roman chariot, engaging in open-ended exploration or taking on challenges such as locating key historical landmarks.
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XR-PaestumGate explores the potential of immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) in the field of cultural heritage valorization. The open source project extends the virtual reconstruction of the archaeological site of Paestum through the design and implementation of a serious game (SG) in VR integrating game mechanics designed to increase user involvement and interest. The experience consists of various activities, from exploring the environment to discover its key places to the possibility of driving a roman chariot
The game is divided into three interactive modes:
- Exploration Mode: Offers free roaming within the reconstructed city, either on foot or aboard a chariot, allowing users to passively discover the city and its monuments at their own pace.
- Chariot Race: A time-based race in which players must complete a predefined route as quickly as possible, competing for top scores on a leaderboard.
- Key Points of Interest Identification: A challenge-based mode where players must identify and reach six designated cultural landmarks within a 10-minute time frame.
To get a local copy up and running follow these simple steps:
This is an example of how to list things you need to use the software and how to install them. Before starting, ensure you have the following installed:
- Unity Hub (version recommended: 2022.3.53f1)
- Unity Editor
- Git (for cloning the repository)
- Visual Studio (or another compatible IDE for script editing)
- Meta Quest Link and Meta Quest Developer Hub (if you have a Meta standalone VR device). Alternatively, download the software from the producer of your vr device
- 3DS Studio Max (latest version recommended) for import all the scene's prefab. The software is available on a pay-per-use licence, but a 7-day trial is sufficient to import the necessary project requirements
- Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/user/xrpaestumgate.git
- Change git remote url to avoid accidental pushes to base project
git remote set-url origin github_username/repo_name git remote -v # confirm the changes - Open Unity Hub
- Click Open and select the cloned project folder
- Ensure you have the correct Unity version (2022.3.53f1) installed.
- Wait for Unity to load the project and compile assets. (ensure you have 3DS Max installed and with active license)
- Install Dependencies
- Open the Package Manager (
Window>Package Manager) - Install any missing dependencies or packages
- If required, configure Oculus Plugin Management for VR support
- Build
- Go to File > Build Settings
- Select the platform: Android
- Click Switch Platform if needed
- Setup the Scenes in Build with the project Scenes (it is recommended to use the menu scene as first in the list). an example of what it should look like in the image below
- Run the project
- Click Play in the Unity Editor to test the game
- For a standalone build, click Build and Run in the Build Settings window. The result is an apk file for your VR device
The versions (VR and desktop) of the game are divided in two different directories, both have the same game modes. The following are the Scenes directories:
Dowload the desktop version or the VR version of XR-PaestumGate
How to install the apk on your VR Headset:
-
Download and Install SideQuest
- Visit SideQuest and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
- Install the software on your computer.
-
Enable Developer Mode on Your VR Device
- Open the Meta Quest mobile app on your smartphone.
- Go to Settings > Select your device > Developer Mode.
- Toggle Developer Mode on and restart your headset.
-
Connect Your VR Device to the Computer
- Use a USB cable to connect your headset to your PC.
- Put on the headset and allow USB debugging when prompted.
-
Install the APK
- Open SideQuest and ensure your device is detected (green dot in the top left corner).
- Click the Install APK file from folder button (⬇ icon).
- Select the APK file you want to install and wait for the installation to complete.
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Download and Install Meta Developer Hub
- Visit Meta Developer Hub and download the tool.
- Install it on your computer.
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Enable Developer Mode (Follow the same steps as for SideQuest).
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Connect Your VR Device
- Use a USB cable to connect your headset to your PC.
- Accept the debugging prompt in the headset.
-
Install the APK
- Open Meta Developer Hub.
- Navigate to the Device Manager.
- Click on Install APK and select your file.
- Wait for the installation to complete.
- Put on your headset and go to Apps > Unknown Sources.
- Locate your installed APK and launch it.
xrpaestumgate.apk for VR headset
- If errors occur, check the Console for logs
- Ensure all Unity packages are installed and up to date
- Restart Unity or delete the
Libraryfolder if necessary - Verify that Oculus software is running (for VR projects)
Distributed under the Apache License. See LICENSE.txt for more information.
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