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Markus Schubert

Creative Technologist

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GO!CROSS

A mobile city game connecting two divided cities

2023-25 Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Project Overview

GO!CROSS is an innovative mobile city game that guides players through the divided cities of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) using smartphones. Developed in collaboration with the Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica, this project uses technology to reach new audiences by creating an interactive experience that explores the unique history, cultural diversity, and stunning natural surroundings of these two cities.

The game was built using the Toto.io platform, which was specifically upgraded for this project to include QR code scanning, browser-based web app functionality, and multilingual support in Slovenian, Italian, Friulian, and English. Players navigate through both cities, discovering cultural institutions and historical narratives while engaging with location-based quests and challenges.

Media

Concept & Approach

GO!CROSS was developed as an innovative way to reach new audiences beyond traditional theatre performances. The concept emerged from the realization that simply putting technological performances on stage wouldn't significantly increase audience engagement. Instead, the team created a mobile city game that uses the device everyone has at their disposal – the smartphone.

The project leverages the unique history of Nova Gorica and Gorizia, two cities divided after World War II when the original town of Gorizia was split between Italy and Yugoslavia. The game guides players through both cities, exposing them to cultural institutions while exploring historical narratives through interactive quests and location-based challenges.

Project Details

  • Duration: 2023-2025
  • Venue: Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica, Slovenia
  • Format: Mobile city game / Location-based interactive experience
  • Technology: Toto.io platform (upgraded for this project)
  • Languages: Slovenian, Italian, Friulian, English
  • Features: QR code scanning, browser-based web app, location-based quests, historical narratives
  • Collaboration: Saxion University (Netherlands), Akademie für Theater und Digitalität (Dortmund)

Credits

Creative Team:

  • Creative Technologist & Platform Development: Markus Schubert
  • Platform Programming: Christoph Wanja
  • User Interface Design: Adriana Costa Pinto

Collaboration Partners:

  • Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica
  • Saxion University (Netherlands) - Design thinking toolkit and student collaboration
  • Akademie für Theater und Digitalität (Dortmund) - Expert in residence program
  • ZRC SAZU (Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts) - Historical research by Neva Makuc

Student Teams:

  • First class: Lex Karssen, Tamara Hooijmans, Ihor Zhmurko, Mirthe Evenboer
  • Second class: Adriana Costa Pinto, Monika Wu, Floor Döpp, Kevin Veldscholte, Nikolay Panovski

Website: https://go-cross.eu/