Month: May 2023

One of the main focuses of the Game Lab Program session is to provide teachers with skills in creating simple educational games. Participants are divided into small groups of five people. Each group is allowed to design and create an educational game using the principles that have been taught during the session.

On May 16, 2023, Letsplay Indonesia, an organization that focuses on developing educational games, held a Game Lab Program in Blitar City. This event was attended by around 70 teachers from kindergarten to junior high school levels in Blitar City who were interested in learning about the use of games as an effective educational medium. Letsplay Indonesia was represented by Arif Bawono Surya, Head of Innovation & Product Development Letsplay Indonesia, who was tasked with sharing knowledge and experience in using games as a learning tool.

In the Game Lab Program session, teachers were given an in-depth understanding of the concept and potential of using games as an interactive and engaging educational tool. Arif Bawono Surya was actively involved in providing guidance and practical examples to participants on how to integrate learning materials with game elements in their classrooms. Through this innovative approach, it is hoped that teachers can increase the appeal and effectiveness of learning for students.

One of the main focuses of the Game Lab Program session is to provide teachers with skills in creating simple educational games. Arif Bawono Surya taught participants about using the snakes and ladders game as inspiration for creating interesting and useful educational games. Participants were divided into small groups of five people. Each group was allowed to design and create an educational game using the principles that had been taught during the session.

After the game creation process was complete, a sharing session was held where each group presented the game they had created. Participants shared experiences and discussed the approaches they used, the challenges they faced, and the results they achieved. This process not only enriched the participants’ knowledge but also built connections and collaborations between teachers who share the same interest in developing educational games.

The Game Lab Program held by Letsplay Indonesia in Blitar City is a positive step in expanding the understanding and application of games as an educational medium. Through collaboration between organizations such as Letsplay Indonesia and education parties, it is hoped that a more interactive, fun, and effective learning environment can be created for students. By utilizing technology and creativity in developing educational games, education in Indonesia can keep up with the times and meet the needs of more relevant and interesting learning for the younger generation.

Letsplay Indonesia is an organization committed to providing an innovative and interactive learning approach through educational games commonly known as Game Based Learning. They believe that educational games are an effective way to engage students and help them develop the skills needed in the 21st century.

On May 19-21, 2023, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia held the Semarak Jejakk KaTa Kreatif 2023 event which was held in Semarang City, Central Java. This event was attended by 109 cities that had passed the random selection stage and were appointed as Creative Cities/Regencies in Indonesia.

One of the cities that actively participated in this event was Malang City, which through its Mayor, Mr. Drs. H. Sutiaji, together with creative economy stakeholders, has committed to realizing Malang as a Creative City based on Applications and Game Development through the KaTa Kreatif program. This program was first held in 2019 by the Indonesian Creative Economy Agency (BEKRAF) and was then adopted by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia in 2021.

In the Semarak Jejakk KaTa Kreatif 2023 event, the Malang City Government, through the Malang City Tourism and Culture Office, also participated by sending the Malang.Digital Team. The team consists of representatives from the Malang City Creative Economy Committee, the Singo Edan Malang Startup Community, and game developers in Malang. They showcased digital products from Malang City, games created by local developers, and various craft products from Malang MSMEs.

Malang City’s participation in this activity is real proof of the commitment of the Malang City Government and support from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in developing tourism and the creative economy in Indonesia. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has encouraged 109 regencies and cities in Indonesia to become creative cities through the creative city development program.

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, gave his full support to the Semarak Jejakk KaTa Kreatif 2023 event. He greatly appreciates the development of creative cities in Indonesia, because this can be a driver of creativity and innovation in the region. An example is Malang City, which has succeeded in developing 17 sub-sectors of the creative economy and becoming a locomotive for economic progress in Indonesia.

Sandiaga Uno hopes that the workshop participants in this event can become creative entrepreneurs who can encourage the growth of the creative economy in Indonesia. By involving various stakeholders and supporting the development of applications and game development, Malang City has become one of the centers of creativity and innovation in this field.

Through its participation in Semarak Jejakk KaTa Kreatif 2023, Malang City wants to further strengthen its position as a center for the development of creative games and applications. With the collaboration between the Malang City Government, the creative economy community, and local game developers, it is hoped that a strong synergy will be created to produce innovative products that can attract market interest both domestically and abroad.

In addition to being a place to promote and exhibit creative products, Semarak Jejakk KaTa Kreatif 2023 also holds various workshops and learning sessions aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of the participants. In this regard, Minister Sandiaga Uno hopes that this workshop can provide a deep understanding of the game industry and creative applications to participants so that they can become highly competitive creative entrepreneurs.

In line with the vision of the central government, the Malang City Government continues to strive to create an ecosystem that is conducive to the growth of the creative economy. These steps include involving various stakeholders in the development of the game and application industry, providing facilities and support to local developers, and establishing cooperation with educational institutions and creative communities.

The success of Malang City in developing the creative economy sector has inspired other regions in Indonesia. Many other cities and regencies have been inspired to adopt similar programs to advance the creative economy sector in their regions. Through Semarak Jejakk KaTa Kreatif 2023, it is hoped that collaboration between creative cities and regencies can be further strengthened and that mutually beneficial synergies can be created in developing the creative industry in Indonesia.

With the increasing development of the game and creative application industry in Malang City, it is hoped that new opportunities will open up for increasing tourism visits. Tourists will be interested in visiting Malang City not only to enjoy its natural beauty but also to experience the creative life that is developing in this city. This will have a positive impact on local economic growth and job creation in the creative economy sector.

As an effort to continue to encourage the growth of the game and creative application industry, the Malang City Government is also committed to continuing to improve digital infrastructure, strengthen internet connections, and provide training and mentoring to local developers. With this support, it is hoped that Malang City will increasingly develop into a center of innovation and creativity in the field of game applications and development, as well as provide significant contributions to the development of the creative economy at the national level.

The Malang City Government also realizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration in developing the game industry and creative applications. Therefore, they continue to establish partnerships with universities, research institutions, and technology companies to support each other and expand their network of cooperation. With this collaboration, it is hoped that better innovation will be created and the quality of products produced by local developers will be improved.

Letsplay Indonesia is an organization committed to providing an innovative and interactive learning approach through educational games or what is commonly known as Game-Based Learning. They believe that educational games are an effective way to engage students and help them develop the skills needed in the 21st century.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – US Embassy Kuala Lumpur announced the successful implementation of YSEALI Game Changers, held on May 11-14, 2023 at Mereka Space, PUBLIKA Kuala Lumpur. The event was attended by 77 selected participants from Southeast Asian countries, including 11 from Indonesia.

The event was designed as a workshop and game jam, which aimed to bring together game makers from various backgrounds to focus on creating games with social impact. Participants had the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and share ideas on how technology and digital media can be used to drive positive social change.

One of Indonesia’s representatives in this event was Arek Malang named Istivano from Lets Studio (Let’s Play Indonesia’s Game Studio). As a game designer, Istivano brings valuable knowledge and experience in encouraging youth participation and involvement in the game industry.

YSEALI Focus

The YSEALI Game Changers program brings together renowned game design experts from the Americas and Southeast Asia including Lindsay Grace, Knight Chair in Interactive Media at the University of Miami, Alan Gershenfeld, Co-Founder/President of E-Line Media, and Lien Tran, award-winning game designer and instructor at DePaul University. Among the regional experts joining the program are Saqina Latif, Managing Director of Persona Theory Games from Malaysia, El Lim, Founder of Khayalan Arts from Indonesia, and Luna Javier, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Altitude Games from the Philippines.

“YSEALI Game Changers is a shining example of the power of games and play to connect people, unite communities, and inspire impactful economic and social change,”
— Lindsay Grace, Founding Professor of Game Design, University of Miami

“It illustrates the pervasive nature of play, the power of play to engage, empower, and involve not only the players of games but also the people who create them.” He continued, “There’s a reason why we call this a game jam because like musicians having a jam session, each participant and coach brings their unique skills and experiences to create a new project spontaneously. We’re all still playing the keyboard, just in a different way. It’s a cultural exchange through play.” He guided participants through various workshop sessions and led discussions on how games can be used to drive social change.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the YSEALI Game Changers event,” said an official from the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. “Participants have shown great enthusiasm and dedication in creating games that are not only engaging but also have significant social impact. We hope that this will be a stepping stone for them to continue innovating and making positive changes through their medium.”

The YSEALI Game Changers event is part of a larger initiative by the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to support the growth and development of the gaming industry in Southeast Asia, as well as to encourage the use of technology and digital media to drive social change.

About YSEALI & Let’s Play Indonesia

Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is a program from the US Embassy designed to help young leaders in Southeast Asia develop their leadership skills and strengthen regional ties. The program includes a series of workshops, seminars, and other activities designed to facilitate learning and exchange of ideas.

Let’s Play Indonesia is a learning platform that uses Games as a learning medium.

For more complete information, please access Letsplayindonesia.com.

Let’s Play Indonesia is proud to announce its participation in the Nusantara Bermain Bermakna Festival, an initiative of Ludere Nusantara (Ludenara). This festival aims to showcase the work of 13 of the best teachers from various cities in Indonesia who use educational games in their teaching.

The festival, which was held in Semarang on May 5, 2023, was attended by more than 80 schools throughout Indonesia. This event showcased innovative methods developed by teachers involving games as part of their teaching approach. Eko Nugroho, Advisor to the Ludenara Foundation and Head of the Program, explained that the Nusantara Bermain Bermakna Festival is the result of a two-year program that teaches teachers how to design and utilize educational games to create a more enjoyable and meaningful learning process.

This event provides an opportunity for “Champions” teachers to showcase the educational games they have designed and share their experiences in teaching with games. “We believe that educational games can increase students’ interest and motivation to learn. In addition, educational games can also help students develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and collaboration,” said Eko Nugroho.

Dhinar, a teacher from Sekolah Alam Bogor who participated in the program, expressed his enthusiasm. According to him, in the era of advanced technology and the existence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), teachers must compete with the rapid flow of information. Therefore, he appreciates the opportunity to use games as a learning medium. “In this program, the most important thing is to change the paradigm of the learning process for students. What used to be conventional and stressful, is now made more fun and children can follow the learning process happily,” he said.

Let’s Play Indonesia, an organization committed to providing an innovative and interactive learning approach through educational games, believes that educational games are an effective way to engage students and help them develop the skills needed in the 21st century. With its participation in the Nusantara Bermain Bermakna Festival, Let’s Play Indonesia hopes to improve the quality of education in Indonesia through more fun and meaningful learning methods.

For more information about Let’s Play Indonesia’s participation in the Nusantara Bermain Bermakna Festival, visit letsplayindonesia.com.