Interview: Xbox Game Camp Asia - Ranida Games Share Their Experience

I was fortunate to sit down and talk to Ranida Games’ CEO and studio head Ben Banta, along with the head of business development, Walter Manalo. Ranida Games participated in the recently concluded Xbox Game Camp Asia event, and they shared their experiences and also gave us a glimpse into the current state of video game development in the Philippines.

Ranida Games, based in the Philippines, started in 2015 and is known for infusing Filipino culture into its games. Their notable titles include the mobile game PBA Basketball Slam, which features official PBA licensing, and Bayani, a PC and mobile fighting game inspired by revered Filipino historical figures like Jose Rizal and Andrés Bonifacio.

What is Xbox Game Camp?

The program, which started in 2020, aims to "empower people from traditionally marginalized communities and non-traditional backgrounds to realize their potential in the gaming industry and grow thriving games communities and industries around the world." It has had different iterations in various regions, including Africa, Sweden, Korea, and now Asia.

Opportunities for local Filipino game studios to gain such exposure are rare. Banta and Manalo shared that they eagerly embraced this opportunity despite their years of experience in the industry. The team was "hungry to learn".

"Even if we are veterans, it doesn’t mean we know everything," Banta said. The program allowed them to be mentored by industry professionals, providing insights and advice on game design, narrative, and marketing. Banta was particularly thrilled to be mentored by veterans like Ken Lobb, known for his work on the original Killer Instinct game. This was an event that took place over a few weeks through online sessions.

Xbox Game Camp as a Creativity Catalyst

At Xbox Game Camp Asia, participants were tasked with either enhancing their current projects or starting something new. Ranida Games, known for fighting and sports games, stepped out of their comfort zone to pitch a narrative-driven cooking simulator game called Soul Food.

They produced a trailer for Soul Food and polished the concept for Xbox Game Camp Asia. The game features a cyberpunk-like setting where players create food that can potentially bring back customers' lost memories. It’s a crazy mix of ideas and concepts developed in a short time but showcases how programs like Game Camp can inspire creativity.

Ranida Games plans to reveal this project to the public at this year’s PGDX but time will tell if it's a project the studio will pursue to completion.

Xbox's Support for Southeast Asia

Xbox’s presence in the region and its outreach to local studios like Ranida Games provide developers like Banta and Manalo with more confidence in the future as they continue tackling new projects.

"Xbox being in Southeast Asia gives us the confidence to know there’s someone we can reach out to and ask for help,"

Both Banta and Manalo emphasized the value of Game Camp, highlighting how the studio can revisit previous sessions and utilize the resources provided to elevate their game development process.

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Screenshot of Ranida Games’ fighting game Batyani

Addressing Industry Challenges

With Xbox’s growing support for developers worldwide, it puts a spotlight on the other challenges in the Philippine video game industry. Studios like Ranida Games have been fortunate to operate for years, but much is still lacking.

Mentorship and Learning: One of the critical needs identified by Banta and Manalo is the importance of mentorship. Despite their experience, they emphasized the value of learning from industry veterans. "We want to learn so we can teach," they said, highlighting the necessity for continuous education and knowledge sharing within the industry. Programs like Xbox Game Camp greatly help here.

Accessibility to Development Kits: Accessibility remains a significant issue. Although Ranida Games specializes in mobile and PC platforms, they face challenges in expanding to consoles due to limited access to development kits. This barrier hampers their ability to diversify and reach broader audiences, or have the opportunity for their developers to learn development in those platforms.

Budget Constraints: Budget constraints are another major hurdle. While Ranida Games aspires to develop its own titles, financial limitations push teams to juggle outsourcing projects to support larger endeavors abroad. This issue is prevalent across many local studios in the Philippines, where outsourcing services are often the primary source of revenue. The need for financial support and investment is critical for these studios to thrive independently.

Public Perception and Comparisons: Banta and Manalo also shared that local developers often face unfair comparisons to triple-A titles. With their games, such as PBA Basketball Slam and Bayani, being compared to franchises like NBA 2K or Tekken, there is a need for greater public awareness of the unique challenges and achievements of local game development. Increased recognition and understanding can help shift perceptions and garner more support for homegrown talent.

Despite these challenges, there is optimism for the future. Banta and Manalo believe that showcasing Filipino innovation and creativity is key to advancing the industry. Events like the 2024 PGDX, which feature sections for indie developers, provide much-needed exposure and opportunities for local talent to shine. The presence of foreign visitors from the video game industry at such events further enhances the potential for international recognition and collaboration.

The Road Ahead

The experience of Ranida Games at Xbox Game Camp Asia highlights the transformative potential of such programs for game developers in the Philippines. Through valuable mentorship, creative challenges, and exposure to industry veterans, studios like Ranida Games are gaining the tools and confidence needed to innovate and grow.

Ranida Games soldiers on. I’ll keep an eye on Soul Food and see how that project materializes. As for other projects, they did mention development on Bayani stalled but is now back on track to release a new character for their fighting game. Bayani is still in Steam’s Early Access program since 2019.

Despite the significant hurdles of limited access to development kits and budget constraints, the passion and talent of Filipino game developers remain undeniable. For Banta and Manalo, mentorship and support are critical in bridging the gap between potential and realization. 

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