Philippine Mobile VR Jam 2016 – Day 1

Since half of 2016 is over, we could only imagine what we could do in 6 months. If you’re a developer, programmer, 3D animation specialist, or someone looking for an opportunity to showcase your game development skills, then the Philippine Mobile VR Jam is perfect for you.

With over 50 participants with a total of over 70 attendees, Samsung’s first Gear VR hackathon in cooperation with VR PH, PLDT InnoLab, SMART, Neun Farben, and Vobling is a huge success. Filled with optimism and determination, each team will show what they’re capable of in developing VR apps, using Samsung’s Gear VR.

The event features 11 teams with a maximum of 5 members, with various experiences, ranging from students to professionals, all with one goal; to create a VR App utilizing Samsung’s Gear VR within 42hours.

There are no themes whatsoever in the event. Each team can create whatever kind of VR App they would like, whether it’s a horror game, educational references, or even for science. It all goes down to the most creative and well executed App of the event.

OPENING WORDS:

The event was hosted by VR PH Student Ambassador Richmon Franches, and formally opened by founder and tech-evangelist, Cristopher David. Accompanying him are several heads and enthusiasts of tech-companies, such as Samsung’s Joseph D. Pencil, and Neun Farben’s GM, Wataru Terashima.

They took the time to discuss the details of the event and encourage all of the participants to have fun while also encouraging them to have an open mind.

VR PH Student Ambassador, Richmon Ranches

VR PH Founder and Tech-Evangelist Cristopher David

Samsung R&D Head, Joseph D. Pencil

Neun Farben Corporation General Manager, Wataru Terashima

Altitude Games Head, Paul Gaddy

After the opening words of the event’s sponsors, Cristopher David ended things with a brief explanation of the rules and guidelines of the said event. After this, teams then gathered together to plan out their soon-to-be-developed apps, while those with no teams were formed together. Within the next 42 hours, each team is expected to present their developed app, and judges will then vote who will be the winner.

The winner will be announced during VR PH’s upcoming major event, the Philippine VR Conference, happening this June 25, at the PLDT InnoLab. The winner will win Php50,000 worth of certificates from Samsung, and there will also be special awards for selected categories, that will win a Samsung VR and trophies for the said event.

MEET THE TEAMS

During the start of the event, we went around and asked teams to describe themselves and tell the world what they’re capable of. This is what they said.

Arstar

Members:

• NJ Realubit – LEADER
• Ren Solemayor
• Pol Maglaya
• Keaton Varlez

“We’re a group of students with the same interest and passion for game development.”

The Four Horsemen

Members:

• David Graves – LEADER
• Jose Bagasina
• Angelo Pulino
• Danyel Santos

“We’re adaptive, fun-loving, hungry “youngsters”, that strive to get out of their comfort zone to help other people with their apps. They create something more than just fun games, that aims to save lives, for future generations.”

Pouch Cotatos

Members:

• Gian Legaspi – LEADER
• Karl Rodriguez
• Jhunel Dela
• Meris Soneja
• Mackie Soneja

“Hi, we’re fresh graduates from iAcademy Makati, we are currently enjoying our free time by joining the Philippine VR Jam to expand our skills and explore new ways of developing games.”

Supremo

Members:

• Ace Lobos – LEADER
• John Kevin Pineda
• Kristoffer Lirazan
• Maekell Ivan Mina
• Shaun Torralba

“We’re group of artists and developers that aims to develop a game like no other that would appeal to both gamers and developers, and to showcase our skills and creativity, while learning and exploring the world of virtual reality.”

Team Crabling

Members:

• Jeryca Paragua – LEADER
• Derick Pabalan
• JM Salandanan
• Matt Trinidad
• Aaron Bueno

“Cool guys. “

V-Jeep

Members:

• Paolo Cartera – LEADER
• Emmanuel Vinegas
• Emmanuel Tabingo
• John Cyrus Kuza
• Valentin John Dioquino

“We’re a group of students that are VR enthusiasts. “

Vros

Members:

• Juan Paolo Espiritu – LEADER
• John Hay Supetran
• Mark Joseph Basibah

“They started from the bottom now they’re here. This team has amazed me so much, showed great potential, and they seem to be living up to my expectations.

-Gilbert”

Wong-Thong Productions

Members:

• Mikee Lawrence Wong – LEADER
• Augustine Caesar Bayudan
• Dan Deano
• Jonry Borbe
• Elijah Joseph Aldecoa

“We’re friends since college that enjoys anything in our path. Incoming graduates from iAcademy, we have our eyes on the prize while coffee is running in our minds. “Hard-working”,” intelligent”, “brilliant”, “outstanding”, “unique”, “innovative”, minds.”

Zweihander

Members:

• Chris Kendrick Kiok – LEADER
• Benedict Martin Arreola II
• Bill Joshua Dayrit
• John Paul Mateo
• Lorenzo Penasco

“We’re a group of friends that have the same interest in games, developing and playing them together. “

The Duo

Members:
*Marlon Dimaunahan – LEADER
*Ann Khris Cambe

“We’re a team of two. We are the last one. We kill to survive. Beware of zombies, because they will eat your brains.”

Team Ignite

Members:
*Jerome L Bulalague – LEADER
*Van Rafael Cabezas
*Aivann Cariaga
*Kenny Thompson
*Ken Apacible

“We are a stranded team because of what happened earlier, the traffic was so intense that we thought we would be late for the event and we will be outdated.

Mama I’m safe -jerome.”

DAY 1 SUMMARY

From the looks of things, Day 1 is filled with intense action as every team is ecstatic with energy as they plan out and execute their plans for their VR App. Some teams even brought their own desktop to ensure high-powered rendering that can definitely benefit since time is the most valuable asset of the event.

Since Virtual Reality is very young, this is a great opportunity for these developers, young and old, to showcase what they can do and show the world their amazing ideas that can benefit everyone. Who knows? Maybe the next big thing is in this very event. Who will be crowned as the winner of the Philippine Mobile VR Jam?

Stay tuned at Back2Gaming as we will be covering day 2 and day 3 of the Philippine Mobile VR Jam.