Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations

Lukasz Mirocha

doi:10.1145/3721239.3734094

Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations

Lukasz Mirocha^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Conference proceeding › peer-review

Abstract

This paper explores the use of 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) for cultural heritage representation, integrating real-time game engines to create immersive cross-media experiences. Using a historic Hakka mansion in Hong Kong as a case study, the research examines the technical and aesthetic challenges of 3DGS, particularly its limitations in lighting, geometry accuracy, and artifact generation. By embracing these constraints, the project investigates new modes of representing historical spaces beyond traditional digital twins. The study highlights how 3DGS, combined with SLAM-based scanning and game engine workflows, can offer novel approaches to interactive storytelling, site documentation, and artistic reinterpretation in digital heritage preservation and other use cases.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks
Editors	Ginger Alford, Veronica Orvalho
Place of Publication	New York
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Number of pages	2
ISBN (Electronic)	9798400715419
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3721239.3734094
Publication status	Published - 10 Aug 2025
Event	The Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks - Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada Duration: 10 Aug 2025 → 14 Aug 2025 https://dl.acm.org/doi/proceedings/10.1145/3721239 (Conference proceedings) https://s2025.siggraph.org/ (Conference website) https://s2025.siggraph.org/programs-events/ (Conference program)

Publication series

Name	SIGGRAPH: Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery

Conference

Conference	The Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks
Abbreviated title	SIGGRAPH Talks 2025
Country/Territory	Canada
City	Vancouver
Period	10/08/25 → 14/08/25
Internet address	https://dl.acm.org/doi/proceedings/10.1145/3721239 (Conference proceedings) https://s2025.siggraph.org/ (Conference website) https://s2025.siggraph.org/programs-events/ (Conference program)

User-Defined Keywords

3D Gaussian Splatting
digital twins
immersive media
real-time 3D
game engines
virtual cinematography
cultural heritage preservation
cross-media

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1145/3721239.3734094

Cite this

Mirocha, L. (2025). Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations. In G. Alford, & V. Orvalho (Eds.), Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks Article 42 (SIGGRAPH: Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). https://doi.org/10.1145/3721239.3734094

Mirocha, Lukasz. / Beyond Digital Twins : 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations. Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks. editor / Ginger Alford ; Veronica Orvalho. New York : Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2025. (SIGGRAPH: Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques).

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title = "Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations",

abstract = "This paper explores the use of 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) for cultural heritage representation, integrating real-time game engines to create immersive cross-media experiences. Using a historic Hakka mansion in Hong Kong as a case study, the research examines the technical and aesthetic challenges of 3DGS, particularly its limitations in lighting, geometry accuracy, and artifact generation. By embracing these constraints, the project investigates new modes of representing historical spaces beyond traditional digital twins. The study highlights how 3DGS, combined with SLAM-based scanning and game engine workflows, can offer novel approaches to interactive storytelling, site documentation, and artistic reinterpretation in digital heritage preservation and other use cases.",

keywords = "3D Gaussian Splatting, digital twins, immersive media, real-time 3D, game engines, virtual cinematography, cultural heritage preservation, cross-media",

author = "Lukasz Mirocha",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).; The Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks, SIGGRAPH Talks 2025 ; Conference date: 10-08-2025 Through 14-08-2025",

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booktitle = "Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks",

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Mirocha, L 2025, Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations. in G Alford & V Orvalho (eds), Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks., 42, SIGGRAPH: Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), New York, The Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 10/08/25. https://doi.org/10.1145/3721239.3734094

Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations. / Mirocha, Lukasz.
Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks. ed. / Ginger Alford; Veronica Orvalho. New York: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2025. 42 (SIGGRAPH: Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques).

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Conference proceeding › peer-review

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AB - This paper explores the use of 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) for cultural heritage representation, integrating real-time game engines to create immersive cross-media experiences. Using a historic Hakka mansion in Hong Kong as a case study, the research examines the technical and aesthetic challenges of 3DGS, particularly its limitations in lighting, geometry accuracy, and artifact generation. By embracing these constraints, the project investigates new modes of representing historical spaces beyond traditional digital twins. The study highlights how 3DGS, combined with SLAM-based scanning and game engine workflows, can offer novel approaches to interactive storytelling, site documentation, and artistic reinterpretation in digital heritage preservation and other use cases.

KW - 3D Gaussian Splatting

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KW - immersive media

KW - real-time 3D

KW - game engines

KW - virtual cinematography

KW - cultural heritage preservation

KW - cross-media

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Mirocha L. Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations. In Alford G, Orvalho V, editors, Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Talks. New York: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). 2025. 42. (SIGGRAPH: Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques). doi: 10.1145/3721239.3734094

Beyond Digital Twins: 3D Gaussian Splatting, Game Engines and Crossmedia Cultural Heritage Representations

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

User-Defined Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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Cite this