Gaming has become a cornerstone of modern life, weaving itself into the fabric of
technological innovation and shaping global pop culture. From early icons like Pong and
Pac-Man to modern titles like Minecraft and Dota 2, the industry has evolved
exponentially over the past century.
The Philippines has long been an enthusiastic consumer in the gaming market.
According to IGN Southeast Asia, 95.8% of internet users aged 16-64 have played
video games. Similarly, a 2024 Statista survey found that the online gaming segment is
expected to increase by 1.6 million users (+9.67%) by 2029.
However, despite this widespread engagement, the Philippines remains largely absent
from the creation side of the industry.
Locally produced games feel like an achievement reserved for 1st world countries like
those in the West, leaving us to wonder: why hasn’t this passion for gaming translated
into our own thriving game development scene?
To better understand questions like this, let us break down the key issues and talking
points regarding our local game development scene.
Lack of opportunities and funding
Like many industries here, Philippine game development struggles with limited
opportunities and funding. Tech and training limitations continue to hold us back,
leaving aspiring Filipino developers struggling to keep up with countries that have better
access to professional tools and advanced education.
Support from both the government and private sectors remains minimal. The
Philippines has not yet put in place comparable systems to those in neighboring nations
like Singapore and Malaysia, which offer grants, incubators, and tax incentives for
creative industries.
While organizations like the Game Developers Association of the Philippines
(GDAP) are working to represent and promote the industry, government-backed
initiatives remain limited, hindering the growth and potential of the local scene.
We follow, we don’t lead
The local industry often finds itself stuck in a cycle of following international trends
instead of leading innovation. Many developers concentrate on making games that
imitate the success of well-known international titles, a.k.a. copying instead of creating,
favoring familiarity over originality.
While this approach might seem financially safe, it stifles creativity and perpetuates the
idea that Filipino-made games lack uniqueness.
This challenge is further compounded by talent drain. Many skilled Filipino developers
opt to work for outsourcing companies that create games for international studios rather
than pursuing independent or local projects. And who can blame them? These jobs
provide much-needed financial stability.
However, this reliance on outsourcing limits opportunities and time for developers to
create original, homegrown projects that carve out a distinct voice for the Philippines in
the global gaming landscape.
Would Filipinos support Filipino-made games?
Even if Filipino developers produce original games, market perception poses a
significant barrier. Filipino gamers typically favor international titles because they believe
they are better quality than local ones.
To an extent, that is true given the current state of the local industry, but this preference
leads to a difficult cycle where developers imitate global trends in an attempt to appeal
to local players, which in turn only reinforces the perception that local games cannot
stand out.
Unfortunately, even in video games, there’s a lingering sense of colonial mentality.
Changing the narrative
Despite the challenges, there are signs of promise in Philippine game development.
Recent indie successes, like Until Then by Polychroma Games, have shown that
Filipino-made projects can capture both local pride and international recognition.
Beyond gaming, Filipinos have also rallied around homegrown talents in other
industries, such as Trese in comics and BINI in music.
Local developers have the potential to create unique Pinoy games by drawing from our
rich history, folklore, local aesthetics, and endless other inspirations. The possibilities
are vast and largely untapped.
Raising awareness about the value of supporting local creators can inspire gamers to
champion local titles and encourage developers to take leaps to concretize their
creativity.
The Philippines has the passion and talent to succeed in the global gaming industry, but
systemic challenges hold it back; from limited resources to hyper-reliance on
international trends, the local scene needs stronger support and a shift in mindset to
reach its full potential.
Investing in infrastructure and embracing Filipino identity, the Philippines may one day
transition from being a consumer of trends to a leader in innovation.
“Games are popular art, collective, social reactions to the main drive or action of any
culture. [They]…are extensions of social man and the body politic…As extensions of the
popular response to the workday stress, games become faithful models of a culture…”
– Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man
