Embark On Your Own Belayar Journey |

How would you fare when out at sea in the 19th century Malay Archipelago, in a boat you sort of made on your own? Would you survive? Where would you end up? And who with? Written for those in love, out of love, or those simply in the mood for adventure, this romance-themed choose-your-own-adventure experience made out of historical fact and historical fiction was created to allow you to take the oars to experience your own historical voyage when you visit the A Voyage of Love and Longing exhibit at the National Museum of Singapore. 

In case you’re wondering, ‘Belayar’ is a Malay term used to describe a sea journey undertaken by coastal communities in the Malay Archipelago primarily for the purposes of trade, but also for personal reasons like escaping from various physical or emotional difficulties back home, or for one to prove oneself when they come of age. That is a journey you can now try embarking on too. 

How To Play:

You can play it here though we highly recommend you taste it when at the A Voyage of Love and Longing exhibit at the National Museum of Singapore as it was designed as a companion piece for that experience. 

Click ‘Bon Voyage!’ when inside the National Museum of Singapore’s chatbot to get the game started.

If you would like to be notified when we have more of such games, drop your email in the box below.

Media Mentions:

“‘Embark On Your Own Belayar Journey’ takes players through the National Museum of Singapore’s newest exhibit, A Voyage of Love and Longing via a multitude of paths and storylines.”
DIGIMUSE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE 2021
Flyer page 1, 2

“Ever wonder what it’s like to prepare for a voyage? Sample it with a choose-your-own-adventure online game which can be accessed via the museum’s Dome Bot chatbox at the exhibition.”
TIME OUT

“Perhaps you prefer to chart your own sea adventure? See what awaits you through an interactive in-app game, and if you can make it back safely to your loved ones.”
ARTSREPUBLIC.SG

“Interactive digital activities and displays at the show encourage visitors to further engage with the storied collection.”
SINGAPORE ART & GALLERY GUIDE

“New digital activities have also been introduced at Goh Seng Choo Gallery to encourage visitors to interact with the collection of drawings. There is a choose-your-own-adventure online game based on the process of preparing for voyages.”
LITTLE DAY OUT

“Learn about the diverse natural history of the region through these 19th century drawings alongside Malay pantuns (rhyme quatrains), classical texts and love ballads. Further interact with the collection with a choose-your-own-adventure online game that mirrors the narrative of voyages.”
ESQUIRE

Credits:

Commissioned by: DigiMuse
Special thanks to: National Museum of Singapore
Exhibit Curator & Designer: Syafiqah Jaaffar
Chatbot Producer: Wang Shimeng
Chatbot Game Designer: Sara Y
In-game Graphics: Sara Y
Photo credits: Roots.sg, Chirayu Sharma, Grant Durr, Jeremy Bishop, Matt Hardy, Ethan Elisara, James Douglas