Integrating Digital Games and Digital Tourism: Exploring Consumers’ Awareness of Chinese Heritage

The integration of high-fidelity digital gaming and cultural heritage represents a transformative frontier for international tourism marketing and cross-cultural communication. By utilizing hyperrealistic digital twin technology, action role-playing games like Black Myth: Wukong successfully bridge the gap between virtual entertainment and physical heritage sites. These immersive environments serve as powerful conduits for cultural dissemination, effectively increasing awareness and interest among non-Chinese audiences regarding Chinese mythology, historical architecture, and traditional landmarks.

Empirical analysis involving international gamers confirms that high-fidelity virtual representations foster significant heritage recognition and recall. When players interact with meticulously rendered historical environments, they develop a heightened curiosity that often translates into a desire for physical tourism. This mechanism of in-game cultural communication functions as a modern platform for heritage preservation, allowing global users to engage with cultural narratives that might otherwise remain inaccessible due to geographic or linguistic barriers.

Despite these successes, the implementation of such technology requires a nuanced approach to ensure long-term efficacy. While digital twins are highly effective at driving interest, developers must balance aesthetic authenticity with the need for contextual education to help players navigate complex philosophical and mythological themes. Furthermore, the high costs associated with developing these immersive environments and the potential for technical service disruptions necessitate careful strategic planning. Ultimately, the synergy between digital gaming and tourism offers a robust framework for promoting cultural heritage, provided that developers prioritize both technical excellence and cross-cultural accessibility to maximize the impact of these virtual experiences on global travel behaviors.