esports in the philippines

Sen. Bam: Game development, esports gaining momentum in PH

A senator believes that esports and game development in the country are gaining momentum towards being a source of honor and employment opportunities for Filipinos.

Sen. Bam Aquino based his pronouncement on recent developments that put esports and the country’s game development industry on the spotlight.

Recently, esports was included in the Asian Games as demonstration sport in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. In 2022, esports will be an official medal event at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

 In addition, the Mandaue-based University of The Visayas New School included esports and game development in its Senior High Arts and Design track.

 “I believe that if we strengthen academic-industry linkages and work with our schools to develop the skills and creativity of future Filipino game developers, we will be able to grow this industry more,” said Sen. Bam, a staunch supporter of esports and game development industry in the country.

The university said it will teach game strategy for Dota 2, game design and development animation and 2D and 3D animation and game creation. After two years, the students can either choose to be game creators, designers, or e-sports players in the professional league.

 The senator has been supporting Filipino esports athletes, who have excelled in previous international events, including the prestigious International DOTA 2 Championship event inSeattle where Filipino squad TNC finished eighth.

Sen. Bam helped establish Philippine esports Association (PeSPA) to strengthen the foundation of esports in the country, look after the welfare of cyber athletes and stakeholders and promote esports in the country.

 Aside from this, Sen. Bam is also an ardent of the video game development industry in thePhilippines due to its tremendous potential to create fresh employment opportunities for Filipinos.

“All the ingredients are there to really make this work and primary of which is the Filipinos’ combination of artistry and technical know-how that can be the foundation for the game development industry in the Philippines,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: PH ‘next big thing’ in eSports, Video Game Development

Bam Aquino at the Manila MajorSen. Bam Aquino, an avid supporter of the local eSports industry, believes the hosting of the Manila Major can help the Philippines boost its image as next eSports and video game development hotbed in the world.

 “I think this is just the beginning. The whole world is getting to see that the Philippines is a player in the eSports scene,” Aquino said in an interview at the Manila Major event held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 The third event of Valve’s Dota Major Championships, the Manila Major features 16 international teams battling it out for a total pot of $3 million and spots in The International 2016, which will be held in Seattle, Washington in July.

  “There are only four of these events every year and we get to host it. I’m hoping that this will be a yearly event, leading up to the biggest competition in the United States. Hopefully, this will be a permanent stop,” said Sen. Bam.

Aside from the eSports industry, Sen. Bam said the Philippines is now a favorite destination for video game developers, creating employment for more Filipinos. 

Manila Major 2016

 “We’ve been helping the game development industry set up shop here in the Philippines. Big publisher is setting up a studio here in partnership with one of the biggest schools,” said Sen. Bam.

 “So many things are happening, especially with the number of jobs being created because of events like this (Manila Major) and because of the movements in the game development world,” he added.

 Sen. Bam also lauded the organizers, led by the Philippine eSports Organization (PEO), PGL and Valve, for the successful staging of the world-class event in the country.

 “This is just a start. A lot of people here worked really hard to put this up. It took years to put it up. The first time we spoke, it was just a dream, now it’s here,” said Sen. Bam, whose initiative led to the formation of PeSPA to strengthen the foundation of eSports in the country.

 Recently, the country hosted the ESL One Dota Tournament, which was held for the first time in Southeast Asia.

 

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