Game on! Leveling up careers in PHL game development

(Manila, Philippines, January 17, 2013) — Video game enthusiasts range from the casual gamer to the hardcore, but it is a serious business that is expected to rake in approximately US$30 billion in the Asia-Pacific region by 2016 according to a study by Ovum.

The gaming industry in the Philippines has still a lot of growing up to do, says Alvin Juban, head of operations of Secret6 and president of the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP).  “We’ve had the best two years of work. Before, we’ve had gaps between projects. Now what happens is when you end a project, you receive two, which is a good sign,” he said. According to GDAP, there are about 3,000 professionals in the industry representing roughly 60 companies.

The country’s game development sector earned an estimated US$70 million from late 2011 to early 2012. Approximately 5 percent of its talent pool work on console game services, 15 percent focus on quality assurance (QA), game design consulting, and game community support, while the rest specialize in mobile and social games.

Top skills in game development
Careers available in game development include Java developers, iOS, Android, and C++ developers, PHP and MySQL developers, and Actionscript developers, all of which are relatively difficult to find, said Juban. They require an educational background in computer science, information technology, science or mathematics. “In my company, a simple programmer won’t cut it. We need a developer who is very knowledgeable in physics and math. Sadly, most programmers don’t listen to physics or math even in high school,” said Juban. “In gaming, it’s everything.”

A promising developer will undergo training on velocity, gravity, collision, and the like. “That’s the biggest challenge. We usually get people who have the initiative to study things on their own. They usually Google it or go to a seminar. They will have to go the extra mile,” Juban explained. De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde currently offers a four-year course on game design and development, and Juban hopes that other schools will follow suit.

Those interested in working in game development but have no background in computer science or information technology can consider becoming a game designer. A game design document (GDD) is needed before a game is even built. “A game designer is neither a programmer nor an artist. He or she is someone who knows video games very well, gameplay, and can write very well,” Juban said. He adds that sound engineers and producers perform vital roles in the sector.

Not your typical day at the office
In road shows for the Next Wave Cities^TM program, a project led by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) and the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office, Juban said he usually tells the audience, “What do you think gamers do after work? We play games. During the weekend, when we want to socialize and relax, what do you think we do? We play games. We are what we do.”

There are a number of reasons why gamers are enticed to stay in this industry. “We have such a low attrition rate because when you get into a gaming company and you love playing games, why would you want to leave? It’s not a boring job.” Juban added, “You have to be very team oriented.”

The Philippines’ number one competitor in this industry is China, followed by Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, which Juban considers the dark horse. He recalled a discussion he had with an executive from Vietnam, who said they had 10,000 game developers among a handful of companies. “We keep saying by 2015, we want 10,000 people. But now, we find that we’re aiming too low. A lot has changed,” he said.

Still, Juban expressed his commitment to the industry, “The entire video game industry is barely 30 years old, so it’s still new. I am pretty new to the gaming industry and I’m willing to bet the rest of my life in this industry.”

About the Business Processing Association of the Philippines
The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is the enabling association for the IT-BPO and GIC (global in-house center) industry in the Philippines. BPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 300 industry and support-industry members, including five associations—the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, and Philippine Software Industry Association—BPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPO and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

BPAP assists investors in setting up operations easily and quickly in the Philippines. Relevant research, introductions to key government and industry officials, and a series of briefings at each step of the investment process ensure a seamless development process. On-going support is provided through a wide variety of initiatives, including programs for HR development, business development, and on-going knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.

About Game Developers Association of the Philippines
Established in 2007, the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) is a leading trade association in the Philippines that represents and promotes the country’s game development industry. Its members create and publish interactive games and entertainment content for various platforms. GDAP is supported by various affiliate member organizations including schools and universities, game talent agencies, publishers, as well as retailers, all of whom play key roles in the country’s thriving game industry. GDAP is a member of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines.

(Manila, Philippines, January 17, 2013) — Video game enthusiasts range from the casual gamer to the hardcore, but it is a serious business that is expected to rake in approximately US$30 billion in the Asia-Pacific region by 2016 according to a study by Ovum.

 

The gaming industry in the Philippines has still a lot of growing up to do, says Alvin Juban, head of operations of Secret6 and president of the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP).  “We’ve had the best two years of work. Before, we’ve had gaps between projects. Now what happens is when you end a project, you receive two, which is a good sign,” he said. According to GDAP, there are about 3,000 professionals in the industry representing roughly 60 companies.

 

The country’s game development sector earned an estimated US$70 million from late 2011 to early 2012. Approximately 5 percent of its talent pool work on console game services, 15 percent focus on quality assurance (QA), game design consulting, and game community support, while the rest specialize in mobile and social games.

 

Top skills in game development

Careers available in game development include Java developers, iOS, Android, and C++ developers, PHP and MySQL developers, and Actionscript developers, all of which are relatively difficult to find, said Juban. They require an educational background in computer science, information technology, science or mathematics. “In my company, a simple programmer won’t cut it. We need a developer who is very knowledgeable in physics and math. Sadly, most programmers don’t listen to physics or math even in high school,” said Juban. “In gaming, it’s everything.”

 

A promising developer will undergo training on velocity, gravity, collision, and the like. “That’s the biggest challenge. We usually get people who have the initiative to study things on their own. They usually Google it or go to a seminar. They will have to go the extra mile,” Juban explained. De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde currently offers a four-year course on game design and development, and Juban hopes that other schools will follow suit.

 

Those interested in working in game development but have no background in computer science or information technology can consider becoming a game designer. A game design document (GDD) is needed before a game is even built. “A game designer is neither a programmer nor an artist. He or she is someone who knows video games very well, gameplay, and can write very well,” Juban said. He adds that sound engineers and producers perform vital roles in the sector.

 

Not your typical day at the office

In road shows for the Next Wave Cities^TM program, a project led by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) and the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office, Juban said he usually tells the audience, “What do you think gamers do after work? We play games. During the weekend, when we want to socialize and relax, what do you think we do? We play games. We are what we do.”

 

There are a number of reasons why gamers are enticed to stay in this industry. “We have such a low attrition rate because when you get into a gaming company and you love playing games, why would you want to leave? It’s not a boring job.” Juban added, “You have to be very team oriented.”

 

The Philippines’ number one competitor in this industry is China, followed by Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, which Juban considers the dark horse. He recalled a discussion he had with an executive from Vietnam, who said they had 10,000 game developers among a handful of companies. “We keep saying by 2015, we want 10,000 people. But now, we find that we’re aiming too low. A lot has changed,” he said.

 

Still, Juban expressed his commitment to the industry, “The entire video game industry is barely 30 years old, so it’s still new. I am pretty new to the gaming industry and I’m willing to bet the rest of my life in this industry.”

 

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About the Business Processing Association of the Philippines

The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is the enabling association for the IT-BPO and GIC (global in-house center) industry in the Philippines. BPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 300 industry and support-industry members, including five associations—the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, and Philippine Software Industry Association—BPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPO and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

 

BPAP assists investors in setting up operations easily and quickly in the Philippines. Relevant research, introductions to key government and industry officials, and a series of briefings at each step of the investment process ensure a seamless development process. On-going support is provided through a wide variety of initiatives, including programs for HR development, business development, and on-going knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.

 

About Game Developers Association of the Philippines

Established in 2007, the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) is a leading trade association in the Philippines that represents and promotes the country’s game development industry. Its members create and publish interactive games and entertainment content for various platforms. GDAP is supported by various affiliate member organizations including schools and universities, game talent agencies, publishers, as well as retailers, all of whom play key roles in the country’s thriving game industry. GDAP is a member of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines.