A LOCAL startup is transforming the way people discover Penang’s heritage through an interactive mobile platform that combines gaming, storytelling and real-world exploration.
Ling Long Sek (LLS), launched earlier this year after more than a year of development, aims to encourage users to explore Penang’s historical landmarks, cultural sites and hidden gems through location-based quests and challenges.
Its chief executive officer Wesley Tai said the idea was born from a desire to make Penang’s rich history more engaging and accessible, particularly for younger generations.
“We love Penang and realised that many people walk past historical buildings, monuments and landmarks every day without knowing the stories behind them.
“We wanted to create something more interactive than simply watching videos or reading information boards. The goal is to spark curiosity and encourage people to discover these stories for themselves,” he told Buletin Mutiara during an interview recently.
Unlike conventional heritage platforms, LLS incorporates non-player characters (NPCs), quests, puzzles and reward systems to create an immersive experience.
According to Tai, the platform does not aim to provide users with all the answers immediately.
“Our concept is not about giving people the complete historical narrative from the start. Instead, we want to encourage exploration and critical thinking by guiding users to uncover the stories themselves,” he said.
The team began developing the concept in September 2024 and spent approximately 18 months building the application, researching content and testing gameplay mechanics.
Prior to the app’s launch, the founders started sharing their research journeys through short videos on social media platforms, particularly on Xiaohongshu.
“Initially, the videos were never intended as marketing content. We were documenting our development process and site visits, and the response from viewers was surprisingly positive,” he said.
Historical accuracy remains a key focus for the team. Every location featured on the platform undergoes extensive research and on-site verification before being incorporated into the game.
“We only feature places that physically exist. Once we identify a site, we conduct field visits and cross-reference information from multiple sources before creating any content,” he said.
The platform’s mascot, TITA, serves as a virtual guide throughout the experience, leading users through various quests across Penang.
Tai said the character was originally created for the founders’ technology business before being adapted into LLS universe.
“TITA represents curiosity. The character constantly asks questions and encourages users to observe and learn about the environment around them,” he said.
To date, LLS has organised two major public events and continues to introduce new quests across the state.
While the platform was initially designed with younger audiences in mind, the team has discovered that families form a significant portion of its user base.
“Children enjoy the adventure and exploration aspects, but many of them participate together with their parents. It has become a family activity where they can learn about Penang’s history while spending quality time together,” he said.
One of the most encouraging outcomes, he added, is seeing children sharing newly acquired historical knowledge with older family members.
“Sometimes the children end up teaching their parents about the stories behind Penang’s landmarks. That is exactly the kind of intergenerational learning experience we hoped to create,” he said.
The young and energetic group of establishment comprise of chief technology officer Lim Wen Yuan, chief operations officer Loh Zhi Ying, chief revenue officer Jeffrey Lee, cultural heritage content strategists Eee Xin Zhu and Tai Yan Bin, marketing officer Tan Yue Bing and business development executive Cheah Zong Bin.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siew Chia En