Reinterpreting the City: Using Game Engines for an Immersive Representation of the Evolution of the Urban Landscape in Rio de Janeiro's XV de Novembro Square

This article explores the representation of historical transformations in the Square of XV de Novembro, one of Rio de Janeiro's oldest and historically significant locations. A geometric modeling methodology is employed to visually represent the profound alterations in the landscape over time, selecting pivotal periods to offer a detailed spatial perception and virtually reconstruct lost landmarks. The utilization of game engines facilitates a first-person perspective of the model, which could further enhance the immersion. Moreover, this approach enables new interpretations of existing historical documents while also providing new material about Brazil's and Rio de Janeiro's history. To this end, the research combines historical simulation with an interpretative investigation, utilizing diverse historical materials. The chosen methodology provides a multifaceted understanding of the location's evolution and its significance in Brazil's history.