Border Zone

A game tracing the history of the Cold War in Babelsberg Park

RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 12 AND OVER

Immerse yourself in the era of the Cold War with Border Zone: discover the eventful history of Babelsberg Park in Potsdam in a completely new way – with our innovative game app!
Experience the unique connection between past and present through state-of-the-art augmented reality (AR) technology. Border Zone allows you to explore and experience lost or hidden traces of contemporary history up close using your smartphone or tablet. Embark on interactive missions, referred to as ‘Echos’ in the game, and learn more about personal experiences in the former border area.

Based on accounts from eyewitnesses, you’ll discover different perspectives on the lives of people living at and with the Wall. Decide for yourself how you’ll act in conflict situations and influence the plot and outcome of the game. With Border Zone, you won’t just learn about the park’s history – you’ll experience it up close and interactively.

The game app is available in the app stores, can be downloaded there for free, and launched at any point in Babelsberg Park! The game is available with English subtitles via the language setting in the app.

The prototype was developed by the end of 2021 as part of a research collaboration with the Cologne Game Lab at TH Köln University of Applied Sciences (CGL). Based on academic research and interviews with eyewitnesses, the storylines for the game were devised and the course of the border within Babelsberg Park was visualised.

With this free ‘serious game’, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation (SPSG) aims to promote multi-perspective knowledge transfer, facilitate participation and encourage a discourse on how to engage with World Heritage sites. As part of the accompanying research programme, the project is exploring how games can be used sustainably and effectively as a new medium for education in public park spaces and within cultural education.