In a significant nod to the fusion of cultural heritage and digital education, a team from the Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) at UTAR secured the Silver Award at the Virtual Innovation Competition Exhibition (VICE) 2025.
The team, led by Ts Ng Perng Jeu and Ts Mohd Fairuz bin Ali, was recognised for their innovative educational digital game, The Legend of Toyol. The award was announced following the competition’s hybrid finale, which saw participation from higher education staff, students, and international innovators.
This year’s VICE, themed Innovative Generation: From Idea to Reality, challenged participants to translate conceptual ideas into tangible, impactful realities. The competition utilised a hybrid format, combining online video presentations with virtual judging sessions, a method praised by organisers for ensuring consistency and efficiency in the evaluation process.
Revitalizing Folklore for the Digital Age
The winning entry, The Legend of Toyol, stands out as a digital bridge between Malaysia’s fading oral traditions and the modern, screen-savvy generation. Far from a typical adventure game, the project is a meticulously designed educational tool that leverages the rich world of Malay folklore to foster learning.
Centred on the mythical figure of the Toyol, the game immerses players in a narrative deeply rooted in traditional values and historical context. Through a series of interactive quests, puzzles, and mini-games, players are encouraged to exercise critical thinking and make ethical decisions.
Unlike other folklore-based games that focus mainly on adventure, The Legend of Toyol integrates moral values directly into the storyline. The game teaches noble values such as honesty, empathy, and respect, requiring players to apply these principles to progress.
With vibrant visuals inspired by traditional Malay art forms and multilingual support, the game creates an inclusive environment for students, educators, and cultural enthusiasts alike. It positions itself not just as entertainment, but as a potential edutourism product that supports the creative digital economy and cultural preservation.
Reflecting on their Silver Award victory, Ts Ng and Ts Mohd Fairuz shared their thoughts on the journey from concept to recognition.
“Thank you UTAR for the support. We are pleased that the gameplay development has been completed. Our deepest gratitude goes to the organiser and the platform for allowing us to showcase the research output as part of the design and development process, and importantly, for giving us the opportunity to express the ideation from inception to completion,” said Ts Ng.
Ts Mohd Fairuz, on the other hand, said, “We are deeply grateful for this recognition. This project was about more than just game design; it was about embedding the soul of Malay folklore, its moral compass and aesthetic beauty, into a format that resonates globally. Seeing The Legend of Toyol acknowledged on this platform proves that there is a hunger for content that is both educational and culturally grounded. We hope this inspires more creators to look inward at our own heritage for innovation.”
From left: Ts Mohd Fairuz and Ts Ng with the certificates of award and participation
About the Competition
The Virtual Innovation Competition Exhibition (VICE) is an annual platform designed to showcase breakthrough ideas from the academic and international community, organised by Kolej Poly-tech Mara, Bangi. By fostering a hybrid environment for 2025, VICE continues to expand its reach, allowing innovators to present solutions that address modern challenges while honouring creative roots.
The Virtual Innovation Competition Exhibition (VICE) official poster
UTAR is proud to have participated in the innovation competition
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