The Philippines is a hotbed of game development. Traditional Filipino games such as card games and billiards are making waves on the global game scene. But what are the current trends in game development in the Philippines? Video games, mobile games, and traditional Filipino games are just a few of the topics we’ll cover in this article. Here are some ideas to get you started on developing your own game! Read on to learn more! Listed below are some of the top Filipino games currently on the market.
Game Development in the Philippines
In the years following the global economic meltdown of 2008, Filipino game developers began developing casual digital games, mostly for foreign companies. These games have since diverged from the previous wave of digital game development in the country, which centered on creating a unique gaming universe based on local mythologies and histories. These games, while not necessarily commercially successful, are nevertheless impressive. In fact, the development of casual games in the country continues to flourish.
As more people play video games and computer games, the Philippine game development scene has flourished. In fact, several universities now offer a four-year course in game development. Some of these include the University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University. But the College of Saint Benilde is the first institution in the country to offer a full-fledged course in game development. Its first batch of game development graduates is expected to graduate this December.
While the Philippine gaming industry is taking measures to encourage more developers, it still needs to catch up with its international counterparts. Currently, local game revenue does not keep pace with the local game development community’s potential. The vast majority of local games are made for mobile platforms and browsers, thanks to low barrier-to-entry. Still, Schaffner laments the lack of financial support for local game developers. The government has stepped in to help developers start their projects.
A recent example of this is Catch the Guava, a Filipino mobile game developed by 88GamePub. The objective of the game is to make Juan catch the guavas in order to woo Marie. The game gained more than 100,000 downloads on Google Play and is set to launch its iOS version on November 11. Another Filipino-developed game is Nightfall: Escape. The game follows the story of an aspiring journalist who investigates an abandoned mansion.
Traditional Filipino games
Filipino traditional games include Luksongtinik, Patintero, TumbangPreso, Sipa, Holen, and Piko. These games can be played indoors or outdoors, and are a great way to encourage interaction between kids and elders. Children can even participate in traditional Filipino games at home by gathering all the family members. These games are fun, inexpensive, and can help young children develop mental, physical, and emotional skills.
These games help to develop teamwork skills, build camaraderie, and strengthen teamwork. These Filipino games are fun and should be preserved for the benefit of future generations. They are also great ways to build children’s confidence and sense of camaraderie. There are many advantages to learning and playing traditional Filipino games. If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the following websites:
Taguan, which translates to “rock-tin,” is a popular game played outdoors or indoors. It’s the Filipino equivalent of hide-and-seek and is best played at night. Langit-Lupa is a similar game but indoors. The game is a combination of two Filipino games that involve using native materials and instruments. Traditional Filipino children have limited resources for toys, and are therefore forced to create games without these items. Oftentimes, they gather in the streets for these games and play.
Another game popular in the Philippines is tumbangpreso. Players are divided into teams of three and are provided with slippers. The Taya is responsible for guarding the lata, a metal can. The players than use a slipper to strike the can or taro. If a slipper strikes the can, it may be a hit. The Taya must keep an eye on the players to ensure the ball will not hit another player.
Video games
There are several industries within the video gaming industry in the Philippines. These industries include production, distribution, and sales. Filipinos have a wide range of preferences in the type of video games they play. They can enjoy different types of games for different occasions, such as parties and family gatherings. The growing popularity of these games has fueled an industry that has become more than just a hobby. If you’re looking for a new career opportunity, the video game industry could be the perfect fit for you.
Filipino made games are unique because they reframe the concept of play as identity. They use play as a means to cement community identity and advance it. Filipino identity as reflected in digital games leans towards the rhetoric of imaginary play. The idea of play as imagination and flexibility is incorporated into the culture of Filipino digital games, and the playful improvisation of literary texts idealizes Filipino creativity. In the Philippines, this culture of play is a burgeoning one.
Filipinos are also passionate about online gaming. A recent survey by Rakuten Insight found that 40% of respondents have played at least one video game in the past month, with 3% of those players also playing virtual reality (VR) games. Role-playing games are the most popular genre, and these games have spawned eSports in the country. With more Filipinos getting hooked on online gaming, the industry is likely to continue to grow.
In addition to online gaming, Filipinos enjoy offline gaming, including board and card games. However, while traditional gaming consoles continue to dominate the market, mobile phones are also gaining popularity among the younger generations of Filipinos. Increasing internet access and affordability of mobile phones make mobile phones an ideal place to play games, even if the older generation is not yet fully converted to playing video games. The industry is expected to grow steadily in the next five years, reaching 1.52 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.
Mobile games
As the country enters a new era of mobile gaming, the country has made a big leap forward. The recent SEA Games victory proves the potential of the Filipino gamer. Companies like SHAREit are trying to bring this experience to all Filipinos. According to Statista Digital Market Outlook, the mobile games industry in the Philippines will grow by a whopping 66% from 2016 to 2025. Currently, there are more than 1,137 games on Google Play published by Filipino developers.
Filipino developers are making games geared toward younger audiences. For instance, Filipino indie developer kendikorp has created the game Gala, which was supported by the first-ever Game Development Grant of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The game challenges players to explore the diverse parts of the Philippines while brainstorming with their peers to discover new places and cultures. The game is available for both iOS and Android devices. This list is not exhaustive, however.
The researchers conducted participatory design workshops with Filipino gamers aged 18 and above, through Facebook groups and Steam forums. They hypothesized that the game design would need to appeal to different types of gamers to make it a success. The research involved two focus groups composed of MSM and non-MSM gamers. A third group comprised HIV subject experts who provided input and insight into the game design. These three groups were divided into two categories based on their interests and demographics.
The game is free to download and played online or offline, and features ranging from a global leaderboard and ranking players by total score to hyperlinks to HIV information were also included. A notable point is the size of the game’s file – on Android, this is 53.4 MB, while on iOS, the limit is 70 MB. This minimizes the risk of failed downloads. The gameplay rewards fragments of the game that combine together to form an anting-anting, a traditional Filipino amulet.
Self-exoticization
The dominance of the Western video game industry has hampered the development of original Filipino games. Four video games were selected as primary texts for the research. The games used Philippine history, culture, politics, and propaganda to both self-exoticize and confront their Filipinoness. Here, I present the findings of this study. We find that Filipino video games may have more in common with Filipino cultures than their Western counterparts.
Video games also self-exoticize. Both Filipino and international games were created with non-Western characters and settings to distinguish them from their Western counterparts. The Philippines’ games were largely marketed towards Western audiences, but the distinctly Filipino settings and characters allowed them to stand out from the rest of the world. As a result, they were highly successful worldwide. The game industry is expected to benefit from these differences.
In addition to Filipino games, Filipino mythology and history are also used in the design of these titles. The video game Anito: Defend a Land Enraged is set in the 16th century on an island in Asia. It revolves around the mysterious disappearance of DatuMaktan and other fantastical events that happen on the island. Moreover, the game also celebrates the Philippine culture, history, and mythology through its game settings and themes.
Alibatas introduces players to baybayin, a precolonial syllabic writing system used by Tagalogs. It became obsolete after Spanish colonization. In Alibatas, players play as Matthew Talino, Christina Tamad, or Matt Talino. Players must learn the language to solve the game’s puzzles. Fortunately, Alibatas teaches players how to read baybayin.
