The event page in the game puts Fuzhou front and center. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

Fuzhou-based NetDragon Websoft Inc launched a themed collaboration on Jan 20 for its classic online game Conquer with the city's Sanfang Qixiang (Three Lanes and Seven Alleys) Historical and Cultural Block.

Dubbed "Step into Fuzhou, Full of Fortune", it aims to help global players gain a better grasp of Chinese culture through interactive experiences, building a perceivable, participatory, and sustainable cultural bridge using digital technology.

A spokesperson for NetDragon said the event was designed to introduce an exclusive storyline where players engage with immersive narratives to learn about Fuzhou's unique historical and cultural stories.

Iconic symbols such as oil-paper umbrellas, jasmine flowers, Fujian-style architecture, and the "heart-shaped banyan tree", a landmark of Fuzhou, have all been transformed into wearable and placeable game assets. Additionally, players can participate in traditional crafts like "flower arranging" and "surface painting" on oil-paper umbrellas within the game.

The crafting of an oil-paper umbrella in Conquer offers players more than just an understanding of the steps involved in this ancient Chinese heritage. The thoughtfully designed experience creates a complete loop from perception to creation, transforming cultural dissemination from a traditional one-way output to a global two-way interaction.

China has approved a plan to expand pilot programs aimed at expanding comprehensive pilot programs to accelerate the services industry's opening-up, with a focus on the gaming sector's international growth. This move underscores the gaming industry's role as a key platform for promoting Chinese culture globally.

The games latest event is available for players to enjoy in multiple languages, including Chinese, English, Arabic, and Spanish. This initiative enhances the game's function as a cultural bridge, offering a digital avenue to showcase the treasured heritage of Fujian and on a broader scale, China.

In past collaborations with iconic sites like the Yongding tulou and Dunhuang Ancient City, Conquer has used digital technology to breathe new life into these cultural heritages and create "cultural waypoints" for global players to explore and enjoy.