The adventure makes use of ideas from the work of Margaret Cavendish and Lord Raglan in a mythical immersive 3D world old-west town (Sundance) and the Bitterroot ranch (located near the town of Sundance) where an interactive hero-adventure learning simulation is hosted.  Ideas from Cavendish’s ‘The Blazing World’ and Raglan’s ‘The Hero: A Study in Traditions, Myth, and Drama’ informed the design of the 3D old-west town, ranch, and hero-adventure learning simulation to learn about the Code of the Old West and encourage reflection upon its relevance as a guide in life. 

Great old west myths typically share several key story features that make them captivating and enduring. Here are some elements often found in compelling old west myths:

1. Iconic Characters: Memorable characters with strong personalities and distinct moral codes are essential. Think of the lone cowboy with a troubled past, the rugged sheriff determined to uphold justice, or the fearless outlaw with a heart of gold. These characters embody the archetypes and virtues associated with the old west.

2. Frontier Setting: The vast, untamed frontier is a cornerstone of old west myths. The harsh landscapes, sprawling prairies, dusty towns, and rugged mountains create a backdrop that reflects the challenges and possibilities of the wild west.

3. Conflict and Confrontation: Old west myths often revolve around conflicts between law and lawlessness, good and evil, or individual freedom and societal order. Whether it’s a showdown in a dusty street or a battle against a powerful gang, these confrontations build tension and provide a clear sense of right and wrong.

4. Themes of Justice and Redemption: Many old west myths revolve around the pursuit of justice and the quest for redemption. These themes resonate with audiences as they explore the complexities of morality and the possibility of finding salvation even in harsh and unforgiving environments.

5. Honor and Sacrifice: The old west is often associated with a code of honor and sacrifice. Acts of bravery, loyalty, and selflessness play a significant role in these stories, highlighting the noble characteristics that define the protagonists.

6. Mythic Storytelling: Old west myths often take on a larger-than-life quality, blurring the lines between history and fiction. They embrace elements of legend and folklore, enhancing the sense of adventure, heroism, and the enduring spirit of the west.

These are just some common features, and each old west myth may have its unique elements. The power of a great myth lies in its ability to tap into universal themes, capture the imagination, and resonate with audiences across generations.

The learning simulation offered in the 3D world engages a learner to experience common features of the old west myth by assuming the role of a hero who reluctantly accepts the call to adventure while visiting the immersive Bitterroot ranch. The adventure is designed to support the following learning objectives by offering interactive learning activities addressing the Code of the Old West: (1) Understand and value that mythical learning adventures can inspire lifelong learning, and (2) Understand and value the power of myth for interpreting the present and who we can become.

Participants begin the Old West Blazing World Hero Adventure at the immersive 3D world location of the Bitterroot Ranch located outside of the old west town of Sundance on the Bitterroot Valley grid.  The adventure starts with the call given to a participant:

“The town of Sundance’s wealth in gold, collected from Duke’s Gold Mine, has turned up missing. A cowboy, who calls himself a ‘Blazing World Seeker’ wandered into town right before the gold turned up missing. The stranger was accused of stealing the gold and hiding it somewhere in town or in nearby canyons. During the trial he pleads his innocence but is found guilty and is condemned to be hanged. The Blazing World Seeker is currently being held in the local jail. A child claims he is innocent. Nobody in town believes the child. On the other hand, you suspect the child might be telling the truth and you set on a hero’s adventure to determine the truth and possibly save the Blazing World Seeker’s life.”

It is necessary to solve puzzles to determine the fate of the Blazing World Seeker’s life. Puzzle solving begins with using clues obtained by finding each of 10 pick axes missing from Duke’s Gold Mine. Pick axes can be found in the town of Sundance, at the ranch, and along the various trails and nearby locations. By clicking on a pick axe a clue is given in the form of a notecard. 

The Blazing World Wheel game is used to identify key words used by the cross-word puzzle offering clues to solve the adventure challenge. Click on the wheel image above to open the Wheel game.

The AI Red Queen, employs GPT (to include use of 4o omni) models of artificial intelligence (AI), to offer assistance with the adventure. Assistance is offered through conversational dialogue with the AI Red Queen bots and within the adventure simulation using text chat.

The adventure instructions and workbook is an online digital flip book containing an introduction to the adventure, instructions, cross-word puzzle, and worksheets to record clues and solve the adventure. The booklet can be downloaded as a PDF document for use. Click on the image above to access the flip book.

The mythical old west short stories and voice narrations used in the adventure were generated by the AI Red Queen. The short story offering an introduction to the adventure can be viewed using the YouTube link offered on the left. Throughout the adventure opportunity is offered for obtaining AI Red Queen assistance.