Immersive storytelling : a VR escape room exploring Maltese mythology

Abstract

Mythological stories are important cultural artefacts that transmit a society's beliefs, values and traditions across generations (Mifsud, 2023). Tales in Malta about the existence of ancient giants and mythical creatures are connected to the islands' historical sites (Attard, 2013; Mifsud, 2014). This dissertation explores the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to promote and protect Maltese traditions through an immersive escape room experience. The project combines VR technology and educational game design to create an interactive learning environment, blending gameplay with historical and cultural storytelling. Developed in Unity (v2021.3.45f1), the VR escape room immerses players in Maltese mythology, encouraging them to solve puzzles and uncover ancient legends. Drawing on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (Dewey, 1938; Kolb, 1984) and Constructivism (Piaget, 1936; Vygotsky, 1978), it emphasises active participation and reflection, while gamification principles (Marougkas et al., 2023; Silva et al., 2022) boost engagement and motivation. The narrative and puzzle design draw primarily on the folktale collections of Emmanuel Magri, whose early ethnographic work laid the foundation for later researchers, integrating elements of Maltese mythology to ensure cultural authenticity. A practice-led methodology guided the development process, with iterative self-testing informing design decisions. This approach highlights how immersive environments can offer meaningful and culturally resonant experiences that engage players with local mythology in new and imaginative ways.