Help sailor Martin Frobisher redeem his golden blunder in this short, immersive VR journey through the history of pyrite.
A Project by Ilyas Celik, Irina Nikolova, Jonathan Kuchenbrod and Lili Weirich
3. Semester, 2022
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Frank Gabler and Maren Demant
Augmented and Virtual Reality Design
Fool’s Gold is an immersive Virtual Reality experience designed to complement a museum exhibit by offering a compelling, interactive journey through history. This short-form experience follows the story of Martin Frobisher, an English sailor who famously mistook pyrite—also known as „fool’s gold“—for real gold. Visitors step into a historical harbor where Frobisher greets them, launching a hands-on exploration of the mineral’s past. The VR format provides a rich, educational layer to the exhibit, blending entertainment and historical insight for a memorable museum visit.
Guided by Frobisher, users participate in a simplified smelting process—loading wood and pyrite into a furnace, heating it, and hammering samples to uncover gold. The sequence is repeatable, building anticipation until a glowing golden sphere is revealed. Frobisher’s spirit is finally appeased, and he expresses heartfelt thanks. This narrative closure adds emotional depth to the educational arc. Designed to be short yet impactful, Fool’s Gold invites museum-goers to interact with history in a tactile, meaningful way that leaves a lasting impression.
