Pinoy programmers highlight SF Game Developers Convention

Filipino software developers are "game" and ready to make a splash in the multibillion-dollar gaming industry, and made this clear by participating in a recent developers' convention in the United States. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that Philippine gaming developers showcased their wares at the Moscone Center in San Francisco at the prestigious 2010 Game Developers Convention (GDC), March 8 to 13. "For the first time in the GDC, and with full government support, the Philippines mounted an exhibit covering game development opportunities in the country," the DFA said on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph). The DFA added that the the Philippine exhibit received over 200 queries and visits from prospective clients, partners, collaborators, and game enthusiasts over the three-day exhibition period. "Over the next 12 months, the industry expects a remarkable increase in new ventures and revenues from 2009 levels borne out of its GDC participation," the DFA said. Biggest trade event for gamers The GDC is the biggest trade event in the world for game development where all major publishers and developers participate to survey trends, new technologies and develop and finance new game ideas across all gaming and entertainment media and platforms. Such platforms include personal computers, game consoles, handhelds and smart phones. "The global market for video games alone is estimated to be US$58.9 billion in 2009. With the Philippines having a very modest industry, the potential growth for growth is underpinned by the countries success in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry," the DFA said. Pinoy developers on parade Heading the Philippine mission were the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the DFA's Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations' Economic Diplomacy Unit (OUIER-EDU). Representing the Philippine gaming industry sector were members of the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) and the Philippine affiliate of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA). Companies represented include Anino Games (the largest game development studio in the Philippines), CheQ Systems (software quality engineering and testing services provider), Digital Art Chefs Creative Media Studios Inc. (full 2D concept, design services and character creation), Komikasi Enterprise (graphics services for games and websites, develop games, mobile content and comic books), MoAnima Inc. (motion capture data services), FunGuy Studio (also known as Modelworks Philippines, casual massively multiplayer online (MMO) games), SunGame SEA, Inc. (design and turnkey delivery of Social Media solutions), Suspended Animation Media, Inc. (pre-production design and IP development art for video games, film, animation, and publications), The Studio of Secret 6, Inc. (art-sourcing services to video game developers and TV production companies), and Techfactors Inc. (an e-learning company that provides learning systems for ICT). Also joining the delegation were representatives from the College of St Benilde-De La Salle University (computer entertainment academic twinning programs). Delegation head and CICT Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim noted that government is "helping the industry gain wider visibility in the US market." GDAP President Ranulf Goss, cited "the strong government support" for the industry. Meanwhile, OUIER-EDU Head Eric Gerardo Tamayo expressed confidence that the mission would result in "tangible benefits in terms of increased investments and employment in the country" related to the gaming sector. - TJD, GMANews.TV