As the Philippines establishes itself as a thriving developer hub for mobile games, startup companies now find themselves presented with many growth opportunities, including on Google Play coveted Indie Games Accelerator (IGA) program.
Designed specifically for game developers who show outstanding promise, the IGA serves as Google’s mentoring and education initiative. Every year, a select group of talented developers are chosen to undergo an intensive 10-week course, aimed at “supercharging” their growth on the Android and Google Play platforms.
Among the lucky participants of the 2022 class are Ranida games, the only representative from the Philippines. Ranida Games has joined the IGA program to receive support and guidance as they work on their debut title, Vita Fighters. Vita Fighters pays homage to pop culture, anime, and classic games within the fighting genre, taking inspiration from Sega’s iconic Virtua Fighter and featuring an appealing 3D-block aesthetic.
Operating with a modest team of just 12 members based in Manila, Ranida Games initially launched Vita Fighters on the Google Play Store. After years of diligent effort, they were finally accepted into the esteemed IGA program last year, giving them the necessary coaching and skills to step up their game and step up for greater success in the industry.
Aiming to win in the global arena
Vita Fighters, an immersive and epic mobile fighting game, holds appeal for both casual gamers and fighting game veterans. Ranida Games aims to introduce this title to a global audience, emphasizing simplified yet intuitive touchscreen controls that offer nuanced gameplay. Taking inspiration from Capcom’s iconic Street Fighter, Vita Fighters features a complex combo system, setting the stage for potential success similar to popular games such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Call of Duty Mobile.
“We finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with IGA. This is just the beginning for us,” he said Walter Manalo, the managing partner and co-founder of Ranida Games. “We lacked the knowledge of how to raise our game, but with IGA and its amazing faculty, we gained valuable tools and insight.”
Ben Joseph Banta, Ranida’s CEO and studio head, added, “The IGA program not only helped us create a strong mobile video game but also taught us various tricks of the industry, including the importance of analytics and a customized Google Play Store page. These improvements resulted in a remarkable increase in the conversion rate of Vita Fighters, which now stands at an impressive 22 percent from the first 18 percent.
Due to the desire to expand their business, Ranida Games is looking to grow not only in terms of downloads but also in terms of revenue. With a vision to expand their operations and tap into the global market, the future looks promising for Vita Fighters and the ambitions of Ranida Games.
A busy family of like-minded gamers
Joining the IGA not only gave Ranida Games a fighting chance to show the true potential of their team and Vita Fighters but also fostered a strong sense of community among like-minded peers from around the world who shared the same dreams.
“We discovered that other IGA participants are facing similar challenges and obstacles as we are,” shared Ben Joseph Banta. “We’re all learning and growing together, and having this shared experience with them is invaluable.”
Walter Manalo, smiling, stated, “Meeting our fellow developers here at IGA makes us feel like a close family.”
This opportunity is for more than just passionate developers and designers; it also resonates with gamers and enthusiasts around the world. Thanks to Google and IGA, creations like Ranida’s Vita Fighters from underappreciated regions are now contributing to a rich landscape of mobile gaming options, giving countless players more enjoyable experiences.
