Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien can now explore the great dwarf kingdom of Erabor from the comfort of their home thanks to The Hobbit Google Earth Explore Erabor map. Google Chrome has added the great mountain to the list of explorable sites on its recent experiment, an interactive map of Tolkien's Middle Earth melded with Google Earth .
The mountain kingdom of Erabor features heavily in the latest Hobbit Film, the Desolation of Smaug. The former home of the dwarves of Middle Earth, the abandoned mines are currently home to the ferocious Smaug, the dragon who hordes all of the Dwarf gold and treasures. This latest feature to the Hobbit Google Earth experiment lets the viewer explore Erabor and confront the great dragon himself in a conversation that could easily get the player fried to a crisp if they incur Smaug's wrath by offending him.
What's Driving This Trend
- Virtual Tourism
- Using technology to explore previously inaccessible locations, such as the great dwarven kingdom of Erabor.
- Gamification of Learning
- Gamifying educational content can be used to immerse learners in fictional or historical worlds, like The Hobbit Google Earth map.
- Augmented Reality Experiences
- Combining real-world environments with digital enhancements, such as allowing players to confront Smaug in their own living room.
Who This Affects Most
- Travel and Tourism
- The use of virtual tourism could increase interest in travel destinations, making it possible for potential visitors to explore before they visit.
- Education
- Gamification of educational content offers new and engaging ways to teach and learn history, geography, and other subjects.
- Entertainment
- Augmented reality experiences can enhance entertainment offerings, creating more immersive experiences for movie fans and gamers alike.
