Strategies for Integrating Gamification Mechanisms into the Digital Dissemination of Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of Stone Carvings in Southern Dynasties Mausoleums

Abstract

With the widespread application of digital technologies in the field of cultural heritage, the dissemination of cultural heritage is gradually shifting from static display to interactive experience and online dissemination. However, current digital dissemination practices still focus on visual representation and information display, making it difficult to fully promote public understanding and sustained participation. As important remains of ancient Chinese mausoleum art and ritual culture, the stone carvings in Southern Dynasties mausoleums have high historical, artistic, and cultural value. Nevertheless, due to their complex historical context, strong spatial attributes, and specialized symbolic significance, the public tends to stay at a shallow level of perception during the viewing process. Based on this context, this study adopts a qualitative research method to analyze the problems faced by stone carvings in Southern Dynasties mausoleums in digital dissemination, such as high comprehension threshold, insufficient interpretation level, weakened spatial relationship, and limited user participation, from the perspective of cultural heritage dissemination and interaction design. This study proposes gamified dissemination strategies such as task guidance, narrative experience, spatial exploration, feedback and incentives, lightweight social dissemination, and authenticity prompts. The findings suggest that gamification mechanisms are a dissemination method that assists the public in understanding the context, spatial relationships, and cultural significance of cultural heritage, and can provide actionable design ideas for the digital dissemination of stone carving cultural heritage.