As the Philippines establishes itself as a flourishing developer hub for mobile games, startup companies now find themselves presented with a myriad of growth opportunities, including Google Play’s coveted Indie Games Accelerator (IGA) program.
Designed specifically for game developers showing tremendous promise, the IGA serves as Google’s mentorship and education initiative. Each year, a select group of talented developers is chosen to undergo an intensive 10-week course, aimed at “supercharging” their growth on the Android and Google Play platform.
Among the fortunate participants in the 2022 class was Ranida Games, the sole representative from the Philippines. Ranida Games joined the IGA program to receive support and guidance as they worked on their debut title, Vita Fighters. Vita Fighters pays homage to pop culture, anime, and classic games within the fighting genre, drawing inspiration from Sega’s iconic Virtua Fighter and featuring a captivating 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, providing them with the necessary mentorship and expertise to enhance their game and scale 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 seasoned fighting game veterans. Ranida Games aims to introduce this title to a global audience, highlighting its simplified yet intuitive touchscreen controls that offer nuanced gameplay. Drawing inspiration from Capcom’s iconic Street Fighter, Vita Fighters boasts a complex combo system, setting the stage for potential success on par with popular games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Call of Duty Mobile.
“We’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with IGA. This is just the beginning for us,” expressed Walter Manalo, the managing partner and co-founder of Ranida Games. “We lacked knowledge on how to grow our game, but with IGA and its exceptional mentors, we gained invaluable tools and insights.”
Ben Joseph Banta, Ranida’s CEO and studio head, added, “The IGA program not only helped us build a strong mobile video game but also taught us various industry tricks, including the importance of analytics and a customized Google Play Store page. These improvements have resulted in a notable increase in Vita Fighters’ conversion rate, now standing at an impressive 22 percent from its initial 18 percent.”
Driven by a desire to expand their business, Ranida Games aims to grow not only in terms of downloads but also in revenue. With a vision to scale up their operations and tap into the global market, the future looks promising for Vita Fighters and the ambitions of Ranida Games.
A bustling family of like-minded players
Participating in IGA not only gave Ranida Games a fighting chance to showcase the true potential of their team and Vita Fighters but also fostered a strong sense of community among like-minded peers from across the globe who shared the same dreams.
“We discovered that other IGA participants were facing similar challenges and obstacles as us,” shared Ben Joseph Banta. “We all learned and grew together, and having this shared experience with them was truly invaluable.”
Walter Manalo, with a smile, expressed, “Meeting our fellow developers here in IGA made us feel like we were part of a close-knit family.”
This opportunity extends beyond passionate developers and designers; it also resonates with gamers and enthusiasts worldwide. Thanks to Google and IGA, creations like Ranida’s Vita Fighters from underappreciated regions now contribute to an enriched landscape of mobile gaming options, providing countless players with more enjoyable experiences.
