Indie Filipino games to try this quarantine
As people continue to rely on digital entertainment at home amid the COVID-19 outbreak, mobile games rose in popularity among Filipino gamers.
In a recent study by gaming consultancy firm Newzoo, 74% of Filipino gamers reportedly use mobile phones more than PC (65%) and console (45%) as their platform of choice. Not surprising, given the accessibility and convenience that cell phones provide for the user. Further, Newzoo reported that strategy games were widely enjoyed in the Philippines:
"In the Philippines, strategy is the most popular genre on mobile, social network sites, and PC... After the strategy genre, more-casual genres appealed to gamers on mobile and social networks."
With this, independent local game designers soon launched games for people to enjoy during the pandemic lockdown. As of publication, here were some of the games – mobile and PC – that were released during the quarantine:
Word Samurai – Adventure is a mobile word game created by Mark Pardico with Cheap Gear Games that can be enjoyed by people of all ages for free. It is available for Android and iPhone users via Google Playstore and Apple App Store.
Frontline is an action video game developed by 14-year old Theo Rivas (Quasar Tech) with his programming skills and various game design platforms. The game allows you to play as a doctor aiming to protect everyone from the coronavirus. Frontline is available for purchase at itch.io here.
Quasar Tech also previously released another PC game called The Fish House, which is a 2D action-adventure game featuring a cat finding their way back to their owner in Fishpond City. It is also available via itch.io.
Fish House by Quasar Tech.
Meanwhile, an upcoming cooking game is being developed by game design students from the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde. Under Team MEOWFIA, Taste of Home is a Pinoy food game that allows users to re-create Filipino dishes with gusto. Its demo for Android phones is reportedly set for release sometime this year.
Team MEOWFIA is also behind the 2D puzzle game Turtle Tale. The adventure game highlights environmental issues as players get to practice their waste segregation skills in order to save the turtles. Published by Senshi.Labs, it is available for Android users to download here.
Turtle Tale by Team MEOWFIA. Save the turtles as a volunteer at the Turtle Conservation Society!
As the Philippines continues to rise in the gaming industry, we must contribute to the success of our local game artists by supporting their endeavors and encouraging this level of ingenuity further in our society.
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