Game On 2019 announces winning Pinoy-made video games

Sixteen Pinoy-made video games emerged as winners at this year’s Game On Challenge, an annual award-giving program whose aim is to cultivate the growth of the local game development industry.

The Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), which oversees the Game On Challenge, split all entries into two tracks: the Professional Track, featuring projects developed by studios or professional teams; and the School Track, where projects developed by students as part of their school requirements are placed.

Game On 2019 Awards Night took place at NuWorkSpace at Ortigas Center in Pasig City on November 30, 2019.

PROFESSIONAL TRACK

1. Love Esquire (Yangyang Mobile) 

• Game of the Year
• Best Narrative and Story

A dating sim/visual novel with turn-based combat, “Love Esquire” puts you in the shoes of a humble squire on a quest to find the love of his life, before the country is overrun by a barbarian horde. It features five possible love interests, multiple endings, an RPG-style stats system, and a fully voiced cast of international actors. It continues to earn stellar reviews on Steam.  Read our review here.

2. Good Knight (Team Good Knight)

• Best Desktop / Console Game
• Most Innovative

Requiring only one button to play, “Good Knight” is a challenging action game boasting elements of the bullet hell, shoot ‘em up, rhythm, and puzzle genres. You assume the role of a Spanish knight, whose mission takes him to a unique version of hell inspired by Philippine and Asian mythology. Read our review here.

3. Jump Squad 2 (Osias Bantug a.k.a. PixIWalkr, Kristoffer Lirazan, Arwyn Silva)

• Best Mobile & Handheld

“Jump Squad 2” is an auto-running vertical platformer following the action-packed adventures of cute dogs, cats, and other animals. It also has a pet simulator mode that lets you take care of these animals and manage their living area.

4. Mama Mo (Alex Valdez, Zaid Al-Shaheed, Berlin Almanon, Jorge Wieneke V)

• Best AR/VR/MR Game

A virtual reality short film that doubles as a collection of mini-games, “Mama Mo” explores the various aspects of the mother-child relationship. Each mini-game represents a stage in your life, and has you, the child, interacting with the mother and the environment.

 5. Blink Dagger Z (Abyssal Instinct)

• Best Gameplay

“Blink Dagger Z” is an action platformer revolving around a hero whose magical blade allows them to cover short distances at blinding speeds. This makes for exhilarating traversal options as you journey through unique environments filled with monsters and other dangers.

6. Games by ArtsyBarrels

• Best Educational & Social Cause Game

Jem Sarmiento a.k.a. ArtsyBarrels is an artist and game designer whose collection of games explore a range of topics, from serious issues such as depression and suicide, and more light-hearted ones like shopping with your mom.

7. The Bread Adventures of Butter (Team Blue Orange)

• Best Game Art

In rhythm-like game “The Bread Adventures of Butter,” you collect breadcrumbs to join bread-eating contests, where you then face off against a variety of A.I. opponents in your bid to become champion.

8. Brawl Quest (ThinkBit Games)

• Best Music & Sound

Arcade brawler “Brawl Quest” boasts action-packed gameplay inspired by classic beat ‘em ups such as “Double Dragon.” It features mobile-optimized controls, numerous playable characters to unlock, and diverse enemies spread across 50+ levels. Read our review here.

SCHOOL TRACK

1. Piece of Home (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Interactive Entertainment and Multimedia Computing)

• Game of the Year

“Piece of Home” takes players to a mysterious house which you, as Alex, must explore to make sense of your past. You’ll also solve puzzles left behind by your estranged grandfather to piece together clues about a childhood secret.

2. Ang Ospital (University of Caloocan City)

• Public's Choice

First-person survival horror game “Ang Opsital” deposits players in an abandoned psychiatric institution that’s become home to a trio of deranged murderers. You’ll have to rely on stealth and manage your anxiety levels to avoid a horrific death. Read our review here.

3. Spirit of the Animals (DLS-CSB, IEMC)

• Best Desktop / Console Game

Top-down shooter “Spirit of the Animals” takes place in the far future where all animals are near extinction. You play as a human-fox hybrid who uses their powerful abilities to rescue animals from twisted mutants and the power-hungry organization that created them.

4. Turtle Tale (DLS-CSB, IEMC)

• Best Mobile & Handheld
• Best Game Art

“Turtle Tale” takes place on Pawikan Island, where your main task is to save sea turtles by cleaning up the polluted beach and water. You’ll also interact with various characters and play mini-games. The game hopes to spread awareness about the danger plastic pollution poses to ocean life.

5. The Yellow Boat Reimagined (DLS-CSB, IEMC)

• Best AR/VR/MR Game
• Best Narrative and Story

Virtual reality game “The Yellow Boat Reimagined” is an action-adventure platformer where you assume the role of a young girl whose daily journey to school involves overcoming perils such as rivers, ramshackle bridges, and steep slopes. The game calls attention to an issue faced by many Filipino children today.

6. BAWS: Basically Animals with Swords (De La Salle University)

• Best Gameplay

“BAWS: Basically Animals with Swords” is a weapons-based fighting game starring cute critters. Players can choose to control a sword-wielding cat or dog, then duel each other in arenas filled with platforms.

7. Mamayani (DLS-CSB, Multimedia Arts)

• Best Educational & Social Cause Game

In educational RPG “Mamayani,” you play a young papergirl whose adventures will have you meeting the heroic women of Philippine history, specifically those who were active during the American and Japanese occupations. You’ll resolve quests, make tough decisions, and work alongside these heroines as you fight for the country’s future. Read our review here.

8. Unconditional (Human Resource Development Institute)

• Most Innovative

“Unconditional” is a short narrative and puzzle game about wanting more from the people who’ve given you everything. — LA, GMA News