The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado, recognized that obstacles like travel expenses were impeding their capacity to recruit the full spectrum of potential cadets. They aimed to identify an effective recruitment approach that would eliminate any inconvenience for these potential cadets and their families. Through their exploration, USAFA delved into the realm of metaverse experiences, seeking more than just a conventional website with images and videos; they aspired to offer an authentically immersive metaverse encounter of their campus.
USAFA discerned that a metaverse held the potential to provide a 3D virtual representation of their campus, enabling prospective cadets to explore the campus's atmosphere, size, and aesthetics by embodying avatars. Yet, upon thorough investigation, they recognized that the existing commercial and open-source client-based platforms were challenging for newcomers to navigate and involved a steep learning curve.
In response, Designing Digitally, Inc. determined that crafting a tailored solution for this Metaverse campus tour involved building a wholly customized metaverse accessible through web browsers and fostering a multiplayer learning experience. Instead of shaping the project to suit a particular gaming platform, the platform was tailored to meet the requisites of an immersive web-based encounter. This comprehensive 3D virtual learning environment is conveniently accessed by students via a URL on major browsers.
Potential cadets can independently tour the campus within the metaverse and even partake in individual or group tours led by an admissions representative who adeptly showcases the Academy's attributes. Interactive elements, such as clues, trivia, and non-player characters, serve as conduits for additional information about the Academy's offerings. Engaging mini-games such as basketball, hockey, flight simulation, and more offer an enjoyable and interactive means to encourage cadet engagement. Earned points from trivia and games enable the procurement of USAFA-branded virtual attire and accessories, with the ultimate prize being the coveted mascot uniform.
