Gamified museum trail
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire – MAH Geneva
How do you refresh the experience of cultural visits and attract an audience of young adults ? For the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (MAH) in Geneva, Arcane Experience rolled out an innovative approach to heritage gamification . By turning the discovery of the museum’s collections into an interactive investigation, we designed a programme that goes well beyond the standard guided tour to offer genuine immersion.
The challenge: reinventing cultural mediation
The MAH wanted a gamified visitor trail aimed at an audience less likely to come and explore the permanent exhibitionsof their own accord. The aim was to create an interactive experience that brings history to life without diluting the scholarly dimension of the venue. Visitors needed a playful visit that deepens their engagement with major works, while giving museum staff a modern cultural mediation tool.
Our answer: a large-scale investigation on the move
To meet that brief, our designers built a quest called “The Secret of Walther Fol”. The experience lets players discover Geneva’s heritage in an immersive way:
A hybrid format
Rather than a simple audio guide, we created a rich experience combining a physical road book with a mobile app. This varies the playful activities while keeping the focus on the artworks themselves.
Interactive immersion
Across 9 stages, visitors solve puzzles to progress. Whether comparing details on a sculpture or decoding a message, every visit reveals the collection through active observation.
Easy to manage
The programme is designed so museum teams can update it easily when works are rotated, keeping the trail alive over the long term.
A tool for mediation and team building alike
The strength of this project lies in its versatility. Designed to be available all year round as a self-guided experience, it also works in event formats:
Fully self-guided
Visitors set their own pace — an ideal alternative to traditional group tours .
Team building format
The experience was launched successfully with OCAS during a company offsite held at the museum. Feedback highlighted the appeal of a visit structured like a treasure hunt to bring teams closer together.
Results
Isabelle Burkhalter, Head of Cultural Mediation, confirms that the project offers a “genuinely new complement” to the usual visit, turning the museum into a living space of discovery.
FAQ: heritage gamification in Switzerland
Why choose a gamified trail over a classic visit?
A gamified visitor trail turns a passive visitor into an active player. Adding a layer ofpuzzles and storytelling naturally extends the length of the visit and improves how well the works are remembered. It’s the ideal tool for institutions looking to modernise their visitor offer.
Does it work for school groups or corporate outings?
Absolutely. The game’s educational value, combined with how entertainingit is, makes it a perfect fit for school visits or team outings. If you’re looking to build team cohesion, explore our expertise in crisis management team building to mobilise your managers, or discover our awareness-raising formats with sustainability team building.
How does Arcane support cultural institutions?
We design bespoke storylines and game mechanics to bring your collections to life. Planning atemporary exhibition or looking to breathe new life into your heritage? Our teams are here to build trails that reflect who you are. For any enquiry, feel free to contact us directly.
