Luminov uses mobile games to teach Indonesian kids how to brush their teeth, and other good

Following last week’s news of Surabaya-based Alkemis Games grabbing seed funding from East Ventures and Jakarta’s Game Developers Gathering event last Saturday, several more game studios are coming forward to make themselves known in an industry that is clearly heating up in Indonesia.

Luminov is different from the lot though. Take its game Tooth Invaders for example. This game aims to teach children the importance of brushing their teeth. The game’s villains are nasty germs ready to wreak havoc on your virtual teeth. If players don’t brush regularly, the germs punch holes in their teeth and ultimately send them to the dentist, which is never fun for anyone.

Tanaka Murinata, managing director of Luminov, believes that his company can become the number one studio in Indonesia – and also be the most ethical one. He wants his games to not just entertain but also teach good habits and values.

“About three years ago, I saw the rapid development of smartphones, and predicted that in the next couple of years, smartphones and tablets would replace the personal computer,” Murinata says. “We believe that we can contribute to society by building games not only for entertainment purposes, but also to teach the merit of virtue and good character.”

Moral fiber as a differentiator


It’s not just Tooth Invaders. Luminov’s other games too have moral lessons built into them. Bawang Merah Bawang Putih, for instance, uses a classic narrative from Indonesian folklore to illustrate the essence of good family values, while Safe School is meant to teach kids how to react during an emergency situation.