As of just recently, the Louvre Museum will be using 5000 Nintendo 3Ds systems as its official audio guides. The guides will provide an interactive map that will let visitors see exactly where they are in the museum by taking advantage of the systems location technology. The guides will also take full advantage of the system’s 3D capabilities by providing 3D models of the museum’s major works, like the Winged Victory of Samothrace. They will be available in 7 languages; French, English, German, Korean, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.
The features of the Audio guide Louvre- Nintendo 3Ds, as it is known, are as follows:
The self-guided tour: It will include over 700 audio comments and photos from museum specialists to give visitors background information on the works on display.
The Essential Works: The museums most important pieces will be highlighted in the map so visitors don’t miss them. They will also be able to create their own itinerary’s.
Tours to help discover the museum: There will be two 45-minute themed tours designed to help first time visitors. The tours are called “masterpieces” and “Egypt for all the family”.
Adapted Tour: Although this feature is not yet available visitors who are hearing impaired will be given access to special video-guided tours in French sign language. Alternatively visitors who are vision impaired will be given access to a special tough gallery.
Visitors will be able to rent the guides at the museum’s ticket desks and the automatic vending machines. They will be given a voucher that can be exchanged for the audio guides at the audio guide serving counters. There are four counters located throughout the museum. Three are located at the main entrances and one is located near the group reception area underneath the pyramid. Rental prices are as follows:
- Full rate: 5 € (compared to 6€ for the previous audioguide)
- Under-18s: 3 €
- Disabled, unemployed, minimum income visitors: 3 €
- Special offer on Fridays from 6pm onwards for those aged 18-25: an extra guide for each one rented.
Source: Press Release via Gamespress
