As public understanding of video games continues to evolve, they are no longer seen merely as a source of temporary entertainment. Today, video games have begun to assume a broader role in contributing to public literacy.

We can find various types of games categorized by genre. Among these, Role-Playing Games (RPGs) have become particularly popular among Generation Z.

Beyond fostering interest in digital visual arts and computer science (IT), the expansive worlds within RPGs are considered capable of increasing public literacy in subjects such as history, culture, philosophy, and social issues.

In this context, RPGs offer a distinct advantage: players are granted a degree of freedom—albeit within certain constraints—to shape the pace of storytelling, character development, and narrative outcomes based on the consequences of their choices, whether through quests or character morality systems (as seen in games like Infamous, Grand Theft Auto, NieR: Automata, and The Walking Dead).

Among the many RPG titles available, a farming-simulation-themed RPG developed by Indonesian creators, Coral Island, has drawn the attention of members of the academic community. In addition to its compelling visuals and gameplay mechanics, Coral Island is regarded as successfully integrating elements of Indonesian local wisdom, particularly through a theme centered on ecocultural preservation.

This authenticity has encouraged several lecturers from Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA)—Putri Ayienda Dinanti, M.Hum., Bias Yulisa Geni, M.Kom., and Todo Sibuea Faraday, S.Pd., M.Hum.—to conduct in-depth research on how the intrinsic elements of Coral Island can promote literacy related to environmental awareness and ecological sustainability in the Bali region.

First, it is important to emphasize that all game designs are underpinned by ideologies that make them unique and leave a lasting impression on players. According to research conducted by UNDIRA lecturers, drawing on the study by Espen Aarseth (2012), every video game contains a harmonizing element known as ludonarrative.

Ludonarrative refers to the interpretation of meaning associated with a game’s overarching ideas in relation to its gameplay mechanics. In the case of Coral Island, its title and core concept—centered on environmental preservation—are closely aligned with gameplay features such as farming, community-building, and coral reef restoration, all of which reinforce the broader theme of environmental sustainability.

On the other hand, the research also reveals that the incorporation of Indonesian cultural themes and elements within Coral Island contributes to greater exposure, particularly among Generation Z, a demographic that tends to be more responsive to contemporary issues.

Second, the findings indicate that the integration of textual elements of local culture and traditions in Coral Island—such as the preparation of offerings, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the act of presenting offerings to mythological figures—functions not merely as aesthetic ornamentation. Instead, these elements represent the philosophical values of Tri Hita Karana, a concept emphasizing harmony among humans, the divine, and the environment.

This aligns with the theory of intertextuality proposed by Julia Kristeva (2024), which suggests that the interconnectedness of narratives and texts within a game can generate ongoing layers of meaning among players.

The research conducted by these three lecturers demonstrates that, beyond serving as a form of digital entertainment, video games like Coral Island possess the capacity to communicate and package local wisdom, environmental conservation practices, and Balinese sociocultural identity in an engaging format—particularly for the digital art generation, such as Generation Z.