International students discover Groningen in virtual game

‘Become a Virtual Groninger’ campaign welcomes new international students

Marketing Groningen is launching an international campaign through which the city is presented to prospective international students of the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences. The campaign is intended to provide international students with a warm welcome to the city.

Tour of Groningen with an element of play

Considering that many introductory events have been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus measures, the game offers students the chance to safely, from a distance, immerse themselves in Groningen’s student life before they arrive, and in this way, to prepare for living in Groningen.

At the heart of the campaign is a 360-degree game. Players become acquainted with a different element of Groningen’s student life in each level. By playing, players can get to know the city as well as experience what living in a student house in Groningen is like. Of course, players can also follow lectures and discover the city’s nightlife. Once the players have completed the game, they are awarded the title ‘Virtual Groninger’ and can pick up a survival pack, including a ‘Groningen passport’, at the Groningen Store in the tourist information office (VVV).

Level 1

The first level was launched on 13 August. In this level, over approximately one and a half hours, players can get to know the city and see the hotspots and unique highlights of Groningen. Over the coming weeks, levels will continue to be added, giving students the possibility to learn more about studying in Groningen and where they should go for more information in a fun way. In this way, the Municipality of Groningen is preparing its future international residents and helping them to get everything out of their student life.

The game.groningen.nl platform

The game can be found on the website game.groningen.nl, where visitors can play the game in their browser. International students will be directed to the webpage via posts on social media channels. The game will also be brought to the attention to students who have already registered at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences and the University of Groningen.

Partner organizations

The campaign was developed in the framework of the Groningen Agreement, a group that includes: the Municipality of Groningen, the University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, the University Medical Center Groningen, the Province of Groningen, Alfa College and Noorderpoort.