Lynne,
>>
English Heritage is hoping to explore
virtual and games projects further and I have been given the job of
taking it forward!
>>
By "virtual and games projects" do you mean projects which are very
similar to your recent work
at Belsay Hall or the use of games and simulations in general? From
what I understand the Belsay Hall project involved
getting young people to design a virtual environment type game which
was then available to download from a website.
This is fairly unusual, most interpretation games projects are
produced without using 3D virtual technology and can
be played directly from the website or on a computer within the institution.
Accordingly there's lots more information about this kind of project.
Some of which I'll describe below.
>>
1. Why undertake virtual projects and the benefits of this method
of interpretation
>>
There's lot of reports of successful projects out there. Most mention
the importance of
reaching new audiences. For a more academic treatment you might find
the archive of the visitors studies
association useful. Have a look at:
http://www.visitorstudiesarchives.org/index.php
>>
2. Examples of other work/projects/organisations who do similar
things
>>
Have a look at the http://www.show.me.uk/ website from 24 hour museum
which contains games from a large variety of heritage sources.
For an example of a very successful game project try launchball
(http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/launchpad/launchball/)
from the science museum. They had so many people wanting to play that
it took down their web server when first launched. I don't know the exact
numbers of people but its at least several thousand a day.
>>
3. FUNDING for these projects
>>
Not really my area but a lot does seem to come from HLF based around
the premise of broadening audiences.
It will be very important to decide whether you want capital
investment to create interpretation or on-going funding to
support a programme of engagement/development.
>>
5. A took kit including companies to approach for tenders, project
briefs and suggested costings.
>>
Have a look at the guide to writing a creative brief on my site at
www.joecutting.com/creativeBrief.asp
There's also "requirements for museum exhibit software"
(http://www.joecutting.com/softwarerequirements.asp)
although is mainly aimed at on gallery exhibits.
Hope this all helpful and it would be great if you could let us know
how you get on.
Best wishes
Joe
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