Monday, February 26, 2024
The Thai government has revealed plans to incorporate renowned tourist locations from the country’s secondary provinces into scenes within the popular mobile game Ragnarok Origin, developed by Gravity. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, highlighted Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya as a key province for this initiative, noting its World Heritage sites and rich cultural identity as major attractions.
Ragnarok Origin is the follow-up to Ragnarok Online, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that gained international acclaim, drawing in over 50 million players globally at its height. This game was produced by the South Korean game developer, Gravity.
This announcement followed a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and executives from Gravity Game Tech, a subsidiary of Gravity in Thailand. The discussion centered on Gravity’s proposal to include Thailand among three countries to have their real-world locations featured in the upcoming version of Ragnarok Origin, set to launch by the end of the year.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Srettha proposed the integration of muay Thai shorts, headbands, and Thai war elephants as in-game items, a suggestion that Sudawan believes will serve to highlight Thai cultural heritage. Furthermore, the minister stated that this partnership is designed to draw millions of gamers globally to visit Thailand, encouraging them to explore the actual locations showcased in the game.
Integrating Thailand’s picturesque locations and cultural symbols into Ragnarok Origin represents a novel strategy to enhance global tourism. By blending the virtual gaming world with real-world destinations, Thailand sets the stage for a unique cultural exchange. Gamers, drawn by the allure of exploring the landscapes and items they’ve interacted with in-game, are likely to be motivated to experience these sites firsthand.
This innovative approach not only serves to promote Thailand’s rich cultural heritage but also taps into a vast audience of gamers, potentially converting virtual adventurers into real-world tourists. From beginning to end, this initiative underscores the power of digital platforms in transforming tourism marketing, offering an immersive experience that bridges the gap between virtual entertainment and travel exploration, thereby significantly contributing to the global tourism industry.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
