San Lorenzo Defence: A Videogame to Discover and Save a Roman Neighborhood

A collaborative project between universities RUFA, La Sapienza, University of Tuscia, and Sicheo has produced a prototype mobile videogame called San Lorenzo Defence, developed by researcher Jacopo Zuliani. The game helps players discover the landmarks and monuments of Rome's San Lorenzo district while defending it from zombies. The objective is to defeat groups of zombies and other monstrous beings emerging from the tombs of the Verano cemetery, threatening residents and out-of-town students. Players, along with local associations, fight back with flowers and acts of kindness. Geolocation bonuses are awarded to those playing within the neighborhood, enhancing both the experience and their score. San Lorenzo, born in the mid-19th century between the Aurelian Walls and the Verano cemetery, was originally a dormitory for out-of-town workers. It grew around factories like the Cerere pasta factory, now home to the Fondazione Cerere, which is about to celebrate 20 years and expand. During WWII, the area was heavily bombed. Today, it is one of Rome's most vibrant districts, rich in history and iconic monuments, serving as a safe haven for university students from across Italy. The game is part of a broader urban and social regeneration initiative focused on Rome's cultural identity.