eSports game being developed by Pinoy studio

For many, competition is the heart of gaming. Whether it’s an A.I.-controlled opponent or another human being you’re contending with, the struggle for dominance is a thrill that’s hard not to crave.

This is, of course, why we have eSports. In the Philippines, eSports is a big deal, as is evidenced by our love of games such as “Dota 2,” “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” and “Street Fighter V.”

This year’s Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit (ESGS) saw various tournaments revolving around the industry’s most popular eSports. But it was also at said event that several Philippine game development studios introduced to fans what could be the future of competitive gaming.


New champions incoming

“We're currently working on a fast-paced first-person arena shooter,” explained Secret 6’s Francis Gerard Kline P. Talladen, who is in charge of game analysis and design. “It’s developed in-house as something that the Philippines can launch globally in the world of electronic competitive sports.”

That game is “Project Xandata,” a competitive online shooter that pits teams of up to 6 players against each other. This work in progress makes use of Unreal Engine 4.





One of its greatest strengths is the deep level of customization it offers players.

In the game, each player assumes the role of a power armor-wearing champion known as a Xandat. (http://secret6.com/2016/11/11/secret-6-in-esgs-2016-2/)

The player is given the opportunity to customize their character’s weapon loadout. From an enormous arsenal of weapons, they must select 3 to take into battle: the primary weapon, which they’ll rely on the most; the secondary weapon, which is specialized for specific situations (such as a sniper rifle); and the heavy weapon, which can be used for maximum carnage – provided you have the ammunition to expend.

Each player can also customize their special abilities, of which there are four main types: a class-skill, a close-quarters melee ability, a grenade, and a lethal ultimate skill.

Additionally, the player must choose which Elemental God Material, and therefore elemental property, to imbue their power armor with.

“Project Xandata’s” layered customization options give it an RPG-like edge over other competitive shooters. It also allows teams to develop a wide array of strategies for a host of situations, which could boost the unpredictability, and therefore excitement, of every match.

At ESGS 2016, attendees were invited to try an early build of the game. A Team Deathmatch mode was available, as was one of the 6 planned classes, the Marksman.

Two Elemental God Materials were also ready for play. The Malandog Blade infuses grenades with electromagnetic properties, permitting them to stick to surfaces before detonating three times. The Galura Wind turns grenades into powerful vacuums that restrain targets, then explode.

The “Project Xandata” demo was polished enough that it attracted crowds who were eager to take this Filipino-made competitive shooter for a spin.

“A lot of players right now are looking for something familiar yet something new,” said Talladen. “And we’re slowly introducing ‘Project Xandata’ as something that’ll meet and hopefully go beyond their expectations. It’s a shooter that’s like a lot of past games that have been very successful, but at the same time introduces many unique new elements that people will enjoy.”

“Project Xandata” has no release date yet, but it will be launched for the PC.


Casual competition

Competition doesn’t have to be so hardcore. Sometimes, competing against yourself can be just as fulfilling.





This is where Secret 6’s other game, “Panty Thief,” comes in.

“Panty Thief" is a "casual game that is the product of one of our internal game jams,” said Talladen. “One day, people in the office just decided to do something different and compete with each other for fun. This is what we came up with.”

“Panty Thief” is an endless climber that has you, as Boggart the thief, scaling buildings and purloining designer panties hanging by windows. It’s isn’t as easy as it sounds, as the building’s residents – from cranky old ladies to beautiful women fresh out of the shower – won’t take kindly to your wanton larceny. Oh, and beware of pigeons – they hate criminals and would like nothing more than your face covered in their poop.

“The game tests your reflexes and hand-eye coordination as you try to get the high score for either collecting panties or reaching the highest floor of a building,” explained Talladen.

Free-to-play “Panty Thief” is already available for iOS and Android devices.

For more information about Secret 6 and their games, visit the company’s official Facebook page. — TJD, GMA News