Educational Tycoon Game and Cultural Heritage: Developing PAANTU BANG

The development of PAANTU BANG: Pasar Hantu Bangka serves as a case study for integrating cultural heritage into the educational tycoon game genre. Developed by a team from the University of Bangka Belitung, the project aims to provide an interactive learning medium that teaches business management principles while simultaneously preserving and promoting the folklore and culinary traditions of the Bangka Belitung Islands in Indonesia.

The project utilizes a prototyping methodology, which includes sequential stages of requirement gathering, design, prototype building, evaluation, and revision. This iterative process allowed the developers to refine game mechanics, such as resource management, financial planning, and customer service simulations, while addressing technical challenges related to character movement and queuing systems. The final product, built using the Godot Engine, features custom visual assets and sound effects that immerse players in a themed environment centered on the local "mie ikan" (fish noodle) dish and regional ghost legends, such as Mawang, Sumiyati, and Antu Pulung.

By successfully publishing the game on the itch.io platform, the authors demonstrate that video games can function as effective educational tools that balance entertainment with meaningful learning outcomes. The game provides players with practical insights into entrepreneurship, including inventory procurement and pricing strategies, while fostering cultural awareness. The study concludes that this approach effectively bridges the gap between digital entertainment and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, offering a scalable model for future educational game development.