Promisedland: An XR Narrative Attraction Integrating Diorama-to-Virtual Workflow and Elemental Storytelling
Xianghan Wang, Chingshuan Hsiao, Shimei Qiu
Published: 2025/8/12
Abstract
Promisedland is a mixed-reality (MR) narrative attraction that combines cultural storytelling, ecological education, and an innovative hybrid production workflow. Set in a future Earth suffering from elemental imbalance, users embark on an interactive journey guided by symbolic characters to restore harmony through the collection of five classical elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. To prototype this experience, we introduce a low-cost, high-fidelity Diorama-to-Virtual pipeline - handcrafting physical scale models, 3D scanning, and integrating them into Unreal Engine. This process enables rapid spatial prototyping while preserving the material expressiveness and narrative consistency of the physical environment. To further enhance immersion, the experience incorporates a Stewart Platform to provide motion feedback synchronized with the virtual ride dynamics, reinforcing spatial presence and embodied engagement. The final prototype runs on Meta Quest, supporting dynamic interactions and real-time visual feedback. Promisedland offers a replicable design blueprint for future XR narrative installations across museums, cultural exhibitions, and themed entertainment. It proposes a new framework for XR Narrative Attractions - where physical and digital elements converge to deepen immersion, agency, and emotional engagement.