Ateneo team wins Microsoft Imagine Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Taking inspiration from the bayanihan spirit displayed during the devastation brought by tropical storm “Ondoy,” a team of Filipino game developers won the grand prize in the game design category of the Microsoft Imagine Cup held in Warsaw, Poland.

The four members of the Philippine team “By Implication” took off with the $25,000 grand prize in the game design category, beating more than 325,000 students from 113 countries in the competition.

The members of the team – Rodrick Tan, Levi Tan-Ong, Wilhansen Li, and Philip Cheang – all from Ateneo de Manila University, developed a game called “Wildfire” that impressed the judges in the competition for its imaginative idea.

Wildfire is a video game about saving the world through social action and volunteerism, according to the team’s mentor Kenneth Yu.

The team developed the game in 3D simulation of a city faced with problems that could be revived by the heroic efforts of “volunteers,” or the players.

The players of the game should find ways to address various problems in the virtual city that is beset by rampant poverty, gender inequality and environmental degradation.

The message of the game, as Cheang stressed, is that these problems can be overcome.

Cheang said they took their inspiration for the game from the huge wave of volunteerism displayed by Filipinos in the wake of the destruction and misery brought by storms Ondoy and “Pepeng” last year.

“We will continue to create fun video games that encourage social action... We love game design and want to pursue it seriously... I think winning is a good sign (that) we’re on the right path,” Cheang said.

Wildfire left a good impression on other gamers and game developers and designers.

Geek dad, a popular website that reviews toys and video games, said the most striking thing about Wildfire is its visual style.

“It’s sparse, clean, and with a splash of color only to highlight events or objectives in the game,” Geek Dad said.

“Additionally, the game environment is procedurally generated, offering plenty of replay capability. This game also offered the most effective integration of the UN Millennium Development Goals as part of the core game play but in a way that is not lecturing. Information about each goal appears alongside the objective, allowing you to explore more if you choose to,” Geek Dad said.

Microsoft said Wildfire won the game design category for a game that uses social media to help get young people interested in volunteering.

By Implication team emerged the winner among 400 finalists that gathered at Warsaw’s Opera House last July 9.

Microsoft holds the Imagine Cup annually to encourage students from around the world to compete in various categories, among them software design, embedded development, digital media, IT challenge and game design - all using the latest Windows operating system platform.

Jon Perera, Microsoft’s general manager of education strategy, said the Imagine Cup encourages the brightest students around the world to solve the world’s toughest challenges.

“We believe that technology can, will, and must make an impact on the biggest problems in the world... A lot of people will see great challenges and say, ‘I can do something about that,’” Perera told the finalists that gathered at the Opera House for the announcement.

After collecting their trophies and the $25,000 check, Cheang took the microphone from the presenter and spoke in behalf of the team to say thank you in Polish, a phrase which he had practiced.

“Keep on changing the world,” he told the audience.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Perera announced that all 400 finalists would receive a free Windows Phone 7 in advance before it is sold commercially.

At the end of ceremony, Perera congratulated all participants and announced that next year’s Imagine Cup would be held in New York City.

“This whole event is about you and what you guys have done, which is nothing less than absolutely incredible... don’t stop dreaming. Let this Imagine Cup be your starting point for something quite special,” he said.