Extended Media was commissioned by the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum to develop an interactive, explorable exhibit of the medieval Akersborg Castle (now known as Akershus Fortress and Castle) in Oslo, Norway. The project aimed to recreate the castle’s appearance during the 14th century, a period when Queen Margrete of Norway resided there, as part of the “Vår fru dronning Margrete – Our noble lady Queen Margrete” exhibition.
This presented a unique challenge, as much of the original medieval structure has been lost to time, fire, and subsequent renovations. The project sought to bridge this gap by leveraging digital technology to create an engaging and historically-informed experience for visitors, allowing them to virtually explore the castle as it might have appeared in its medieval heyday.
The “Medieval Akersborg” exhibit was adapted from an earlier research project, “Queens Game“, a pilot interactive storytelling project developed at the Norwegian Film School. This earlier project focused on the life of the young Queen Margrete during her residence at Akersborg Castle and provided a foundation for recreating the castle’s interior spaces and atmosphere. Professor Maureen Thomas led the adaptation of the Queens Game project, overseeing the research, story architecture, dramaturgy, dialogue, and direction.
The project aimed to bring the lost medieval castle to life by creating a virtual experience that would transport visitors back in time. The challenge lay in the fact that much of the original structure is no longer visible, having been destroyed by fire and rebuilt over the centuries. The team at Extended Media sought to overcome this by utilizing digital tools and historical research to create an accurate and engaging representation of the castle as it would have appeared in the 14th century.
To further enhance the visitor experience, the initial digital model was also improved in the Unreal game engine. This allowed for the creation of an interactive exhibit where visitors could explore the castle virtually, navigating its spaces and interacting with its environment. The Unreal Engine also enabled the incorporation of dynamic elements, such as animated characters and interactive storytelling, to bring the castle to life.