The variations of the games aim to make players more challenged with the flow of the game.
Therefore, in making games, a game development process is needed which is divided into several
stages. The game development process is broadly divided into the following stages (Nugroho 2013):
1. Research Phase and Concept Development. At this stage, basic ideas, objectives, themes, target
audiences, technology, media (platforms), and various other limitations are formulated. This
research stage becomes a crucial stage, various basic elements of a game are arranged here.
2. Formulation of Gameplay. At this stage, the game designers formulate gameplay/game mechanics that will be used in a game. This gameplay also regulates how a player can meet the objectives
of the game and get a pleasant playing experience.
3. Arrangement of Asset and Level Design. This stage focuses on the conceptualization of all the
characters and assets (including sound/music) needed. At the same time, the team also began to
do the level design or grouping of levels of difficulty and various appropriate assets at each level
(if there are more than one level) so that the game can present an optimal playing experience.
4. Test Play (Prototyping). At this stage, a prototype/dummy is presented to test the gameplay and
various concepts that have been arranged, both at each level and as a whole, as well as making
various improvements needed. This stage also serves to provide a complete picture for the whole
team so that it can facilitate the process of further development.
5. Development. At this stage, all concepts (characters and assets) that had previously been arranged
began to be fully developed. The game engine began to be developed, and all elements began to
be integrated.
6. Alpha/Close Beta Test (UX-Initial Balancing). The main focus at this stage is to find out if all
the main components of the game have been able to provide user experience as expected as well
as to detect technical problems that have not been detected in the previous stages.
7. Release. At this stage, the game is ready to be released and introduced to the target players. When
a game has been released to the public, it does not mean the development process is complete.
Games in general continue to be optimized (updated). This is to ensure that the game that is
presented is really able to provide the maximum playing experience.
The literature study above states that the development of children aged 4–6 years includes cognitive, motoric, and character development. At this age, the child begins to develop an independent
character. Games that are suitable for the age of preschoolers include interactive books, block
games, board games, etc. These games can stimulate a child’s thinking, language development,
psychomotor ability, and emotions.
The targeted findings in this study are able to compile content related to developing the character
of independent preschool children (4–6 years) in Malang Regency. The purpose of this research
is to help teachers and parents in adding variety to the game they play in terms of developing
children’s character through non-digital learning tools.
2 METHOD
The research method used is qualitative with a child psychology approach (4–6 years), teacher opinion, and visual communication design theory. The qualitative approach is a study aimed at describing
and analyzing the phenomena, events, social activities, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and thoughts
of people individually or in groups (Sukmadinata 2005), while the psychology approach is used to
determine a child’s character so that it has an impact on the preparation of the concept of the game
which includes the rules of the game.
This research took place in two kindergarten locations in Malang. The primary research object
is preschool children, both male and female, aged 4–6 years, as well as parents and teachers as
secondary research objects. Data sources used in this study include written data in the form of field
notes, research results, observations, scientific articles from previous research artists, and in-depth
interviews. Data collection methods include the following.
23
Therefore, in making games, a game development process is needed which is divided into several
stages. The game development process is broadly divided into the following stages (Nugroho 2013):
1. Research Phase and Concept Development. At this stage, basic ideas, objectives, themes, target
audiences, technology, media (platforms), and various other limitations are formulated. This
research stage becomes a crucial stage, various basic elements of a game are arranged here.
2. Formulation of Gameplay. At this stage, the game designers formulate gameplay/game mechanics that will be used in a game. This gameplay also regulates how a player can meet the objectives
of the game and get a pleasant playing experience.
3. Arrangement of Asset and Level Design. This stage focuses on the conceptualization of all the
characters and assets (including sound/music) needed. At the same time, the team also began to
do the level design or grouping of levels of difficulty and various appropriate assets at each level
(if there are more than one level) so that the game can present an optimal playing experience.
4. Test Play (Prototyping). At this stage, a prototype/dummy is presented to test the gameplay and
various concepts that have been arranged, both at each level and as a whole, as well as making
various improvements needed. This stage also serves to provide a complete picture for the whole
team so that it can facilitate the process of further development.
5. Development. At this stage, all concepts (characters and assets) that had previously been arranged
began to be fully developed. The game engine began to be developed, and all elements began to
be integrated.
6. Alpha/Close Beta Test (UX-Initial Balancing). The main focus at this stage is to find out if all
the main components of the game have been able to provide user experience as expected as well
as to detect technical problems that have not been detected in the previous stages.
7. Release. At this stage, the game is ready to be released and introduced to the target players. When
a game has been released to the public, it does not mean the development process is complete.
Games in general continue to be optimized (updated). This is to ensure that the game that is
presented is really able to provide the maximum playing experience.
The literature study above states that the development of children aged 4–6 years includes cognitive, motoric, and character development. At this age, the child begins to develop an independent
character. Games that are suitable for the age of preschoolers include interactive books, block
games, board games, etc. These games can stimulate a child’s thinking, language development,
psychomotor ability, and emotions.
The targeted findings in this study are able to compile content related to developing the character
of independent preschool children (4–6 years) in Malang Regency. The purpose of this research
is to help teachers and parents in adding variety to the game they play in terms of developing
children’s character through non-digital learning tools.
2 METHOD
The research method used is qualitative with a child psychology approach (4–6 years), teacher opinion, and visual communication design theory. The qualitative approach is a study aimed at describing
and analyzing the phenomena, events, social activities, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and thoughts
of people individually or in groups (Sukmadinata 2005), while the psychology approach is used to
determine a child’s character so that it has an impact on the preparation of the concept of the game
which includes the rules of the game.
This research took place in two kindergarten locations in Malang. The primary research object
is preschool children, both male and female, aged 4–6 years, as well as parents and teachers as
secondary research objects. Data sources used in this study include written data in the form of field
notes, research results, observations, scientific articles from previous research artists, and in-depth
interviews. Data collection methods include the following.
23