MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING GAME VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS USING THE GAME DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE METHOD

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional education, forcing a shift toward online learning, which often lacks engagement and effectiveness. Existing virtual classroom methods struggle to sustain students' attention and motivation, leading to reduced learning outcomes. To address these issues, this study develops an innovative Virtual Classroom application based on Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MORPG) technology. The goal is to provide a more interactive and immersive learning environment, enhancing engagement among students and lecturers. Using the Unity Game Engine, Photon Unity Networking (PUN), and Photon Voice libraries, this application transforms online classes into game-like experiences. The development followed the Game Development Life Cycle (GDLC) methodology, ensuring a structured and effective approach. Blackbox testing confirmed that all functions operated as intended, while usability testing with the System Usability Scale (SUS) among 30 users yielded an average score of 71.92, indicating a satisfactory experience. The results demonstrate the application's potential to make online learning more appealing and effective, contributing a novel solution for remote education challenges by integrating gaming elements into the learning process.