Shoot Down The Enemy! It’s Legit At TechXpo
Load your guns and shoot at the enemy, defending the ramparts around the Grand Harbour during World War II!
Well, not really, but the adrenaline rush will be just the same, as you immerse yourself in one of the highlights of the TechXpo – a brand-new immersive VR game, developed entirely by Heritage Malta’s Technology and Experience Development (TED) Unit.
The unit has been transforming museum experiences through immersive technology and digital innovation since its inception a few years ago and the TechXpo is the perfect platform for it to shine.
The VR game superbly blends history with technology, as it transports you back to the war years and trusts you with the firing of a Bofors gun at Fort St Elmo, shooting down German and Italian bombers.
Bofors guns played a significant role in countering air attacks during the war and Fort St Elmo was one of Malta’s key defensive positions. Placed along Malta’s coastline and defensive fortifications, these guns were crucial in protecting vital infrastructure, harbours and military installations from low-flying enemy aircraft. With their rapid rate of fire and accuracy, Bofors guns were ideal for targeting dive bombers and fighters that came in waves. Their contribution was pivotal in Malta’s eventual survival and resilience during one of the most intense periods of the war.
If you’re not into warfare but would rather relax in tranquil surroundings, Heritage Malta has other exciting attractions in store at the TechXpo. These include immersive VR experiences that allow visitors to explore Heritage Malta sites, both on land and at sea, including the impressive newly-restored Grand Master’s Palace.
Heritage Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit will showcase underwater wrecks, usually inaccessible due to their depth, offering a unique opportunity for the public to explore a part of Malta’s heritage that’s lying silently on the seabed.
Heritage Malta’s participation in the TechXpo highlights the innovative technologies used by the Agency to digitise and interpret the cultural heritage assets under its care and visitors will have the opportunity to see how 3D digitised assets are utilised.
By creating detailed digital replicas, the Agency helps preserve fragile cultural assets, safeguarding them for future generations and enabling detailed analysis by researchers without the need for physical handling.
Meet the staff of Heritage Malta’s TED team from the 17th to the 19th October at the TechXpo, happening at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, and experience history from an entirely different perspective!