Development and application of digital interactive game for Nanjing Paper-Cutting in virtual cultural space

Abstract

This study explores the development and application of digital interactive games based on Nanjing Paper-Cutting art within virtual cultural spaces, aiming to preserve and innovate the art form through digital technology while analyzing its cultural dissemination effects among younger audiences. The research integrates multiple dimensions, including theoretical analysis, user research, game design and functionality implementation, as well as quantitative and qualitative evaluations. The key findings are as follows: Digital technology has opened new expressive pathways for Nanjing Paper-Cutting art, transitioning it from static displays to dynamic forms and from one-way dissemination to interactive experiences, significantly enhancing its modern communication capacity. Game functionality design is user-centered, incorporating interactive paper-cutting modules that meet diverse user needs in learning, cultural cognition, and entertainment. The cultural connotations of Nanjing Paper-Cutting symbols have been innovatively transformed within digital games, endowing traditional symbols with new forms of expression and interactivity. Based on UTAUT2 model analysis, cultural identity, social influence, and performance expectancy are identified as key factors influencing user behavioral intentions, with cultural identity having a particularly significant impact on user engagement. Expert evaluations and user feedback indicate that the game excels in educational, cultural, and entertainment dimensions but still requires improvements in user experience and cultural interaction design.

The theoretical significance of this study lies in uncovering the semantic transformation mechanisms of traditional cultural symbols in a digital context, constructing a cultural communication model centered on virtual cultural spaces, and deepening the understanding of the role of cultural identity in digital games. This perspective not only enriches the research content of cultural identity theory but also expands the academic foundation for the digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage, offering new references for the theoretical framework of deep integration between culture and technology. Moreover, by exploring the representation of Nanjing Paper-Cutting art in virtual cultural spaces, the study advances the bidirectional interaction between cultural symbols and digital media, further refining the research system in the field of cultural transmission.

On a practical level, this study developed a digital interactive game based on Nanjing Paper-Cutting art, integrating cultural education with entertainment experiences to provide an important practical case for the innovative dissemination of traditional culture. By enhancing users’ cultural identity and interactive experiences, the research explores new pathways for the digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage and proposes user-centered design and technological application strategies. These findings offer valuable insights for the global promotion of Nanjing Paper-Cutting art. This work not only drives the digital innovation of local culture but also provides important implications for the adaptive dissemination and cross-cultural research of other cultural heritages within virtual cultural spaces, laying a solid foundation for the diverse integration of culture and modern technology.

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