Hijaz railway VR experience – Mentoring & Immersive Storytelling
- AVimmerse
- May 9, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 8
In 2022, AVIMMERSE was invited to support a creative mentoring programme focused on immersive storytelling and cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia. The project centred on a Virtual Reality experience inspired by the historic Hijaz Railway, combining cinematic narrative, interaction design, and historical research.
Our role was to mentor the creative team through the design and delivery of a meaningful VR experience, offering strategic, technical, and creative guidance throughout development.
Hijaz Railway VR Experience – Project Overview
The Hijaz Railway mentoring project was part of a wider creative development programme supporting immersive storytelling projects in Saudi Arabia.
One of the standout outcomes was a narrative-led VR experience set in the early twentieth century, inspired by the landscapes, people, and legacy of the Hijaz region. The experience blended:
Historical research and storytelling:
Cinematic VR techniques.
Interactive narrative design.
Emotional, character-driven journeys.
The VR experience was showcased publicly in May 2023 as part of the programme’s final presentations.
The Storytelling Approach
Set in the 1900s, the VR experience explores the human stories connected to the Hijaz Railway, a landmark piece of transport heritage that reshaped movement, culture, and identity across the region.
Participants step into the role of a traveller, encountering fragments of memory, letters, and personal recollections. Rather than presenting history as a lecture, the experience invites users to feel the passage of time through atmosphere, voice, and environment.
This narrative-first approach aligns closely with AVIMMERSE’s wider philosophy: using immersive technology to create emotional connection, not just visual spectacle.
Our Mentoring Role
AVIMMERSE provided structured mentoring and advisory support across the project lifecycle, drawing on our approach to programme design and strategic teaching for creative and immersive projects.
Creative direction and narrative development
Technical guidance for VR production.
Experience flow and interaction design.
Regular review sessions and feedback.
Supporting the team in decision-making and scope control.
Mentoring sessions were held weekly, creating space for reflective discussion as well as practical problem-solving. The aim was not only to support the project itself, but to strengthen the team’s confidence and capability in immersive production.
Creative Team
The creative team behind the project included:
Atheer Alharbi.
Hanan Makki.
Omar Khashoggi.
It was a pleasure to support such a thoughtful and motivated group of creators working at the intersection of heritage, technology, and storytelling.
Client Feedback
“We were lucky to be mentored by Keith Myers during our journey in the Creative Solutions Programme. His support helped us stay focused, make confident creative decisions, and deliver a strong VR experience.”
— Omar Khashoggi
Ongoing & Future Work
AVIMMERSE continues to mentor and advise creatives, studios, and organisations working with immersive technology across the UK and internationally.
With over eight years of experience in XR, immersive heritage, and narrative-led design, we support projects that aim to create meaningful, memorable experiences, not just technical demonstrations.
Interested in mentoring, advisory support, or immersive storytelling?
If you’re developing a VR, AR, or immersive heritage project and would value experienced guidance, we’d love to hear from you.
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