PERANCANGAN GAME EDUKASI BUDAYA BATAK “DALIHAN NA TOLU” MENGGUNAKAN METODE GAME DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE DENGAN PENDEKATAN NARRATIVE DESIGN

ABSTRAK
The advancement of digital media has created opportunities for cultural preservation through educational games. However, many educational games still emphasize content delivery without narrative elements that effectively engage players. This study aims to develop an educational game entitled “Dalihan Na Tolu” by implementing a narrative design approach using the Game Development life cycle (GDLC) method. The author served as the Game Designer and Narrative Designer, designing the Gameplay, puzzles, dialogues, storyline, and integrating Toba Batak cultural values into the game. The development process followed six GDLC stages: initiation, pre-production, production, testing, Beta, and release. Alpha testing confirmed that all core features functioned properly, while Beta testing involving 11 respondents aged 12–18 years achieved an average index score of 80.40% (Strongly Agree). These results indicate that “Dalihan Na Tolu” successfully serves as an engaging educational game while effectively implementing narrative design to deliver the cultural values of the Toba Batak community.
Keywords: Educational Game, Narrative Design, Game Development life cycle (GDLC), Toba Batak Culture, “Dalihan Na Tolu”.
Perkembangan media digital membuka peluang dalam pelestarian budaya melalui game edukasi. Namun, banyak game edukasi masih berfokus pada penyampaian materi tanpa didukung narasi yang mampu meningkatkan keterlibatan pemain. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengembangkan game edukasi budaya Batak Toba berjudul “Dalihan Na Tolu” dengan menerapkan pendekatan narrative design menggunakan metode Game Development life cycle (GDLC). Penulis berperan sebagai Game Designer dan Narrative Designer dengan merancang Gameplay, puzzle, dialog, alur cerita, serta integrasi nilai budaya Batak Toba ke dalam permainan. Pengembangan dilakukan melalui enam tahapan GDLC, yaitu initiation, pre-production, production, testing, Beta, dan release. Hasil Alpha testing menunjukkan seluruh fitur utama berjalan sesuai rancangan, sedangkan Beta testing terhadap 11 responden berusia 12–18 tahun memperoleh nilai rata-rata indeks sebesar 80,40% dengan kategori Sangat Setuju. Hasil tersebut menunjukkan bahwa game “Dalihan Na Tolu” berhasil menjadi media edukasi budaya yang menarik serta mampu mengimplementasikan narrative design dalam penyampaian nilai-nilai budaya Batak Toba.
Kata Kunci: Game Edukasi, Narrative Design, Game Development life cycle (GDLC), Budaya Batak Toba, “Dalihan Na Tolu”.