MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc., through its developer community Smart Developer Network (Smart DevNet), recently brought expert gaming software developers to Davao City to explain the ins and outs of the business to about 100 young people interested in the field.
Participants to the Game Development Conference held at the Jump Experience Center in SM Lanang Premier learned how to enhance and monetize their gaming applications from experts like Paul Gadi, chairman of the Manila chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA); Marnielle Estrada of Anino Games; and representatives of Smart DevNet.
Gadi and Estrada demonstrated how to use Unity3D, a widely used platform for game development on Web and mobile which allows developers to access all elements of professional game design without the prohibitive cost.
“It’s inspiring to see so many young Davaoeños interested in apps development. Davao is home to strong tech talent, which is why we love coming back here,†said Jim Ayson, Smart senior manager for partner management and developer relations.
Home of developer rockstars
Davao was where Smart DevNet made its public debut in July 2012 via a developer event and coding competition. The event saw a group of local developers creating the prototype of the mobile app for Project NOAH, a disaster prevention and mitigation program developed by the government in partnership with Smart and other companies.
Davaoeños also made up majority of the team that won the Manila leg of the AngelHack Spring Global Challenge, the largest hackathon in the world.
The AngelHack Manila champions are now set to leave for Silicon Valley, where they will meet with investors and incubators to pitch their winning Web app which enables small businesses to create an Android mobile app using content from their Facebook pages.
“We are looking forward to meeting the next rockstar developers from Davao, and helping them conquer the world stage. Who knows, the next Angry Birds might come from Davao,†said Smart developer evangelist Paul Pajo.
Huge potential from game apps
The popular Angry Birds game, some versions of which can be downloaded on devices for a fee, earned nearly $200 million in 2012. Gadi told participants of the Game Development Conference that they can use this revenue model for their apps, or they can make their apps downloadable for free.
“You can still earn from free apps by adding in-app items that users can purchase,†Gadi said. This is the model used by the Candy Crush game which earns more than $600,000 a day in the United States alone.
During the event, which was held in partnership with IT capabilities development group Developers Connect (DevCon), participants showcased the gaming apps they had developed. Adjudged the best of the lot was the FlopEmUp app created by a group of students from the University of Immaculate Conception led by Albert Villamor. The game, which can be played by two players using different devices, was based on the traditional Filipino game “tumbang preso.†The winning team received an Android gaming device and freebies.
Support for local developers
The Davao event is just one of the many ways Smart has supported game developers. Last March, Smart DevNet partnered with the Game Development Association of the Philippines and IGDA Manila to stage a similar conference at the Smart headquarters in Makati City. More than 250 game developers, designers, and producers, startups, established game studios, investors, and enthusiasts participated in the event.
Smart DevNet, which celebrated its first anniversary last July, was formed to engage local developers, allow them to access Smart’s technology platforms, and encourage them to create globally competitive apps that could make a difference in the lives of Filipinos. It now has more than 3,500 members nationwide.