Explore the CBD virtually

Explore the CBD virtually

By Jess Carrascalao Heard

Visitors to the city can now learn about Melbourne’s CBD in an immersive and creative way, with the launch of a new app, which uses augmented reality technology to turn the city into a giant digital game.

The app, “64 Ways of Being”, covers a three-kilometre stretch from Kings Way to Queens Bridge by the Yarra and players can explore the CBD by following characters, uncovering hidden worlds, hearing stories about the city and collecting puzzle pieces.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s senior research fellow Dr Troy Innocent, who led the project team in developing the app, said it was an amazing collaborative opportunity.

“64 Ways of Being has been an amazing opportunity to collaborate with other creative practitioners. We’re really excited to see how Melburnians and visitors embrace it,” he said.

Developed during the past two years, the app was created by Dr Innocent who worked with live arts collective One Step At A Time Like This, and game developer Millipede.

Victorian Traditional Owners, cultural groups, performers, coders, game developers, musicians and translators all had input on the research for the app to help bring to life key sites across the city.

The project was backed by the state government via the Creative State Commissions program.

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said the app would showcase Melbourne in in a new way.

“The 64 Ways of Being app puts Victorian innovation on show, providing opportunities for creative workers with a free, COVID-safe activity that everyone can enjoy,” he said.

While the app only covers the CBD, the creative team plans to expand the game in the next year.

St Kilda, Footscray, Collingwood and Fitzroy are earmarked to feature in the game’s expansion.

The 64 Ways of Being app is now live and can be downloaded from the Apple store and Google Play.

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