Facilitating Inter-Generational Communication Through Virtual Reality: An Investigation of a Culturally Significant...

Inter-generational communication enhances mutual understanding and family connections. In China, traditional Chinese opera (Xiqu) serves as a culturally rich topic that provides common ground, fostering meaningful conversations across generations. However, traditional verbal discussion falls short in bridging the cultural and knowledge gaps, thereby failing to convey the full charm of Xiqu and hindering effective inter-generational Xiqu communication. To address this challenge, this study investigates the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) to bridge these generational divides. Using a mixed-methods approach, we developed and evaluated XiquVR to facilitate inter-generational Xiqu communication. Key findings show that XiquVR transforms one-sided storytelling into collaborative activities, visualizes abstract narratives to bridge generational gaps, and facilitates bidirectional exchanges through AI-assisted knowledge sharing. Furthermore, we propose design implications for developing VR applications centered on culturally significant topics to facilitate inter-generational communication.