Implementation of Game-Based Augmented Reality Treasure Hunt at Tourist Destinations

Abstract

The tourism sector plays a crucial role in enhancing the welfare of the community and the economic growth of a region. Post-pandemic, several regions have been intensively promoting their tourism sector to revive it, one of which is Ngawi Regency. This research aims to enhance tourists' experiences by developing and implementing an Augmented Reality (AR) application based on a Treasure Hunt game at tourist destinations in Ngawi Regency. This application is designed to integrate gaming elements with AR and Geolocation technology to provide interactive information and entertainment. The method used in this research is the MDLC (Multimedia Development Life Cycle) version of Luther Sutopo. The development process includes concept, design, material collecting, assembly, testing, and distribution. The results of this research show that the AR-based Treasure Hunt application can increase tourists' engagement and enrich their experiences when visiting tourist destinations. Application testing involved 20 tourists visiting Ngawi Regency, and the results indicated that the application is highly feasible with an index score of 94.128%. Furthermore, the application was proven to run perfectly, with a score of 100% on black box testing. The conclusion of this research is that the implementation of Augmented Reality-based Treasure Hunt games has great potential to enhance the promotion and appeal of tourism in Ngawi Regency. Recommendations for further development include expanding the application’s coverage to other tourist destinations and integrating social features to enhance interactions among tourists.