Popular game takes aim at Xi'an history

"We are trying to create a cross-era journey that will allow the millennia-old cultural treasure and resilient national spirit to continue to be passed down," says Chen Kan, who is in charge of the game's publishing on the Chinese mainland.

In terms of character design, the armor the Terracotta Warriors wear is combined with modern special forces equipment.

Defenders wear black attire as historical records show that the emperor favored the color, deeming it a symbol of royalty.

Characteristics of the heavy armor worn by the Terracotta Warriors have been retained for game characters. The fish-scale armor on the upper body has shoulder shields and the lower half of the uniform incorporates a modern cut and military-style boots that blend historical and contemporary elements, which enhances the character's visual appeal and silhouette, according to the CrossFire development team.

Qin Dynasty patterns, like connected clouds, floral motifs and animal designs, have also been added to enhance the look.

Xu Weihong, a Qin era expert at the Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology, believes the digital culture of the series has had a positive effect on promoting the history and culture of Xi'an.

"It's a commendable exploration and practice of cultural revitalization," she says.

"History is inherently vibrant. An artifact might correspond to an event or person. In its static form, we can only experience a single moment or aspect of history," Xu Weihong adds. "Cross-disciplinary IP collaborations can bring history's multifaceted nature, vibrancy and authenticity to life, transforming abstract concepts into tangible experiences. This offers a new way of enhancing the interest and understanding of young people in history and culture."