Abstract

Background: Digital games have become a key cultural medium, and using them to spread cultural heritage while satisfying Gen Z’s experiential demands is critical. However, research on how cultural digital game characteristics impact Gen Z’s user satisfaction is still inadequate. Purpose: Taking Dunhuang-themed game Digital Library Cave as a case, this study explores how its three core characteristics—interactivity, emotionality and culturality—influence Gen Z’s user satisfaction, aiming to fill the theoretical gap and offer practical guidance for the gamified design and digital dissemination of cultural heritage. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted: a theoretical framework was built via literature review, an in-depth case analysis of the game was conducted, and 303 valid questionnaires from Gen Z users were collected to empirically test the research hypotheses. Results: All three characteristics positively affect Gen Z’s satisfaction, with emotionality being the most influential. The study validates the three-dimensional analytical framework, revealing Gen Z’s shift toward spiritual and emotional connections in digital cultural consumption; emotional resonance, not just knowledge transmission, boosts satisfaction. Practically, developers are advised to shift from edutainment to emotional engagement via immersive storytelling. Conclusion: The study confirms the three characteristics’ positive effects on Gen Z’s satisfaction, with emotionality exerting the strongest impact (β = 0.256, p < 0.001). It verifies the three-dimensional framework, highlights emotional resonance’s central role, and provides theoretical and practical support for cultural heritage’s gamified design and digital revitalization.