Pinoy game developers to shine at ESGS 2016

Slowly but surely, Filipino game developers are proving to the world that we too, are capable of creating virtual experiences with the capacity to entertain, challenge, and even inspire. Just this September, seven Pinoy indie game studios exhibited their most impressive projects at Tokyo Game Show 2016. But just because their showcase was a success doesn’t mean they’re about to rest on their laurels. Not to mention they aren’t the only Filipino game developers out there with the same dreams and aspirations.

This year’s E-Sports and Gaming Summit (ESGS 2016) is going to be a huge showcase of video games. While we can expect international companies such as Sony, Capcom, Ubisoft, and Bandai Namco Entertainment to exhibit their products at the event, many of the titles we’ll be seeing are from development studios based in the Philippines.

One such developer is Unlibox, who will be putting their mobile game “Heroes Above: Sky Clash” on display at ESGS 2016. Unlibox was one of our delegates to Tokyo Game Show 2016, where they exhibited the same game at the event’s Indie Area.






“Heroes Above: Sky Clash” is a strategy title that has players controlling heroes as they and their enemies do combat aboard mighty airships.


A constant learning process

According to Unlibox co-founder Sid Cardenas, being a game developer isn’t without its challenges.

“I think my peers would agree that game development is probably one of the most underestimated jobs in the world,” he said. “When people find out that me and my friends make games for a living, they think we’re the luckiest guys in the world. We’re not. It’s full of sleepless nights, working on weekends, and constant burdens on the mind. Developing ‘Heroes Above’ was extremely difficult. Everything was a constant learning process that we had to adjust to – from bugs to device limitations, from art direction to player feedback. All of these you need to consider when making such a big project.”

Game development isn’t just about building a game from the ground-up; it’s also about designing an experience that will stand out from the competition.

“What makes ‘Heroes Above’ special is that it’s probably the first Pinoy-made, original IP strategy game for mobile (as far as I know). The game also features something we call the Asynchronous Tactical Battle System. In other games, battle is between units and buildings. In ‘Heroes Above,’ it is a simulated real-time battle of units. This is done asynchronously by allowing the defensive player to prepare his defense ahead of time. When that player is offline, he can be attacked by any online player.”

While Unlibox has already taken the game to various events around the world, Cardenas admits there’s something special about showcasing “Heroes Above: Sky Clash” to the Filipino audience.

“Showcasing ‘Heroes Above’ at ESGS is very special,” he said. “We’ve had a chance to show the game in Singapore, Germany and Japan already, but it’s really special to show the game to fellow Pinoys and really get their feedback on the game. We made this game to make Pinoys proud of what the local game dev industry can create.”

Cardenas expressed his love for the local game development scene:

“Being part of the local game dev scene is a huge honor for us. We want to show the world what we Filipinos are capable of – that we can develop world-class games. Yes, being a game developer is difficult, but me and my teammates are up for the challenge.”


Not alone

Of course, we can expect more Filipino game developers at ESGS 2016. Joining Unlibox at the event is Popsicle Games, who will be exhibiting “Super Daivolter Z.” This game involves choosing between the Daivolter Team and the villainous Zidorian Empire, then building your base and piloting Japanese-style giant robots.

Like Unlibox, Popsicle Games was at Tokyo Game Show 2016.

Then we’ve got Synergy 88 Digital with a sports-themed mobile game called “Barangay Basketball”; Funguy Studio with the PC and VR survival horror game, “Freak Show”; Optimal Solutions PTE. LTD.’s Eric Asinas with the card/casino mobile game, “Tongits Wars”; and Ranida Games’ mobile action title, “Tsip Bato – Ang Bumangga Giba!”

Other recently announced developers and their games include: Secret 6, Inc.’s “Panty Thief!”; Plustonic Games and OnPlay Corp’s action RPG, “Fantasy Squad”; DreamLords Digital’s post-apocalyptic strategy RPG, “Graywalkers: Purgatory”; and Hidea and OnPlay Corp’s RPG shooter “Rogue Life: Squad Goals.”






ESGS 2016’s Indie Arena will have its own showcase of locally made indie games, such as “Adarna: Alamat ni Maria Blanca” by Senshi Labs, “Agent Aliens” by Indigo Entertainment, “Change Heroes” by L3 Game Atelier, “Hello World” by Ah Putek, and more.

In addition to these showcase announcements, companies Cubizone and DreamLords Digital also recently revealed that they will be at ESGS 2016 as official exhibitors.

ESGS is an annual e-Sports and gaming convention. This year, the event is scheduled for October 28 – 30 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex.

The tickets for the event are already on sale at SM Ticket outlets located in all SM Cinemas nationwide. Tickets for October 28 (Friday) cost PHP 140, while tickets for October 29 and 30 (Saturday and Sunday) cost PHP 165.

You can visit ESGS’s official Facebook page for more information. — TJD, GMA News