Wazzup Pilipinas!
Synergy88 Digital, a pioneering digital
solutions company based in the Philippines, has recently announced the release
of Barangay Basketball on Google Play. A distinctly Pinoy gaming experience, Barangay
Basketball is not only the first story-based mobile game created by Filipinos
but is also the first to reflect local community life in the Philippines.
A GAME WITH A UNIQUE
PINOY FLAVOR
Barangay Basketball follows the story of
Wax, son of a former Filipino basketball legend, as he tries to step out of his
father’s shadow and become a basketball star in his own right. Along the way, he meets a slew of interesting
characters who can help make or break his dream.
Players will get to hone their skills in
dribbling, shooting, blocking and dunking through a set of challenging and fun
mini games. As they clear one challenge after another, they will get to follow
Wax’s journey from the humble hoops of the barangay court, to the grand stage
where the “big boys” play.
Aside from its awesome gameplay and
story, Barangay Basketball features world-class art and animation created by
Synergy’s pool of talented artists and animators. Teen stars Patrick Sugui and Ysabel Ortega, and veteran actor and former pro baller, Joey Marquez, lent their voices to
breathe life to the game’s protagonists.
Set in Tondo, Barangay
Basketball perfectly captures the atmosphere of a working-class neighborhood,
making it an excellent backdrop for a narrative that Filipinos can definitely
relate to.
QUIRKY PINOY
CHARACTERS
A cast of colorful characters fill up
the canvas to make the story come alive.
Coach B, a former professional
basketball player serves as coach and mentor to Wax, while his son Robbie becomes Wax’s kuya or older brother as well as his
best friend. Gasti, the barangay’s
iron-pumping bully, makes life less easy for Wax and challenges him to improve
his skills on the court.
To help with Wax’s training, Coach B
enlists a group of basketball “masters” who will assist Wax in understanding the
rudiments of Pinoy street basketball: Croco
Martin, a sharp-shooting policeman by profession, gives Wax a lesson in
shooting outside the paint. Popoy,
who peddles coconuts for a living, teaches him how to block his opponent’s
shots. Boy Pana, the barangay’s
resident troublemaker, helps improve Wax’s dribbling skills. And Gardo Distrito, the neighborhood’s
beautician, instructs Wax on how to dunk a ball with flourish and flair.
And, of course, no story is ever
complete without some romantic inspiration. That’s where Vicky, a geeky and yet pretty young lady, comes in as the lead
character’s “secret crush.”
SLAM DUNKS AND
FUTURE PLANS
“We’re proud and very excited to share
this unique mobile gaming experience not just to Filipinos but also to people
in other parts of the world,” says Jackeline Chua, Managing Partner of
Synergy88 Digital. “There are only a few games out there that highlight the fun
and positive side of the Filipinos and we feel that Barangay Basketball is a
game that will definitely help fill this gap.”
Because of the game’s high production
value and unique storyline, Barangay Basketball was recently nominated under
the People’s Choice Award category of the International Mobile Gaming Awards
for Southeast Asia.
When asked about the future of Barangay
Basketball – the Synergy88 Digital team shared that an iOS version of the game
will soon be available for download on the App Store, additional chapters in
the story are in the works, and an online player vs. player (PVP) mode is in
the development pipeline.
Barangay Basketball also serves as a
prequel to the story of an upcoming anime TV series, Barangay 143. The show,
co-produced by Synergy88 Entertainment Media, August Media and TV Asahi, will
revolve around the challenges, defeats and victories of a group of
basketball-loving Filipino teenagers. The show will initially be aired in the
Philippines but will also make waves on international shores later on.
Barangay Basketball can be downloaded
and played for free using any gaming-capable Android device. For more info
about the game, visit www.barangaybasketball.com.