From the heart of Sardinia, Baldo redefines tourism: an immersive game that celebrates tradition, fosters connections, and opens the doors to Sardinia’s lesser-known treasures.
Baldo - An Experiential Game to Discover Sardinia’s Villages
An immersive, real-life experiential game designed to shine a spotlight on hidden corners of Sardinia, offering visitors a unique, authentic, and interactive way to explore.
Academic year
2024-25
Inspired by the format of Pechino Express, Baldo transforms travelers into true explorers through a journey that celebrates local culture. The project takes its first steps in the village of Santu Lussurgiu, chosen as a model to be replicated and adapted to different contexts.
One of the project’s key goals is to provide a solution to the challenge of overtourism, redirecting visitor flows away from crowded hotspots and towards lesser-known destinations. This approach not only helps balance tourism across the region, easing the pressure on saturated areas, but also creates fresh opportunities for places rich in history and identity that often remain off the mainstream map.
Through play, Baldo activates paths of rediscovery, bringing new attention to overlooked or under-promoted territories. At the same time, the project seeks to engage local residents in rural and peripheral communities, offering cultural stimuli and opportunities for exchange. By weaving playful dynamics into everyday village life, Baldo fosters new forms of social connection, encourages intergenerational dialogue, and brings to light local narratives often passed down orally or confined to the margins.
With the support of local stakeholders, the project aspires to become a pioneering case study in gamified, sustainable tourism—one that celebrates and safeguards the cultural and natural heritage of small communities.
Project by Francesca Palla and Pier Luigi Cabras
Supervisor: Antonella Arca
Course: Media Design
Project from the courses of
