How Philippines has transformed Asia-Pacific Predator League

MANILA, Philippines — Last year's Asia-Pacific Predator League turned into a festival, celebrating esports as well as Acer and Predator and giving back to their community.

"Last year in the Philippines, we started selling tickets [to Predator League] and we sold out. Now, Predator League is no longer just an esports tournament. It has become a festival,” said Andrew Hou, Acer’s Pan-Asia Pacific operations president.

With the Predator League concluding its sixth edition in Malaysia earlier this month, Hou has outlined how the esports tournament has evolved into more than just a competition.

"The league has evolved in the past six years and we're upgrading the league. What has changed? First of all we have the theme song. The theme song we had from last year's Predator League in the Philippines, we decided to buy the IP and now you've heard the Malaysian version but we also have a Chinese version, a Thai version and a Vietnamese version. I hope in the future we will have more versions,” he explained.

He also highlighted the Predator League characters Nero and Yuffy, which were designed by Filipino artist Niel Marcelino, and will be permanent features in the league with the characters evolving, incorporating cultural designs as the league differs host countries annually.

"We want to give more factors or influence to end users or to gamers, that's why we design the characters, our mascots, Yuffy and Nero. We have this IP. With Predator League hosted by different countries every year, we're going to redesign them to wear different clothes, or re-design according to the host country, which can mark that year's edition of the league,” said Hou.

With the success of the Philippines' hosting of the Predator League last year, Hou jokingly shared how the country had set a high standard for future leagues.

"The Philippines is giving other countries big pressure. It's not just a tournament anymore. It's [now] a festival, enjoying the culture and having an Acer-Predator experience. We're trying to bring this different chemistry, us to our consumers, to the industry, as this is how we build our brand, said Hou.

For Acer Philippines, the praise comes with huge responsibility to continue to innovate how they connect with the gaming community.

"It's a huge responsibility to be able to set a benchmark, but to also outperform and to innovate. I think the innovation part is very important and not to stagnate. So, we have that responsibility,” said Acer Philippines managing director Sue Ong Lim.

"We're very proud that the Philippines is setting the benchmark. We are able to influence the entire Pan-Asia-Pacific region. For the Philippines, we have opened the doors to the grassroots level and hopefully we'll be able to be more inclusive, make sure that we really touch the grassroots and give equal opportunities for everyone in the esports community,” added Princess Laosantos, senior marketing manager of Acer Philippines.

Permanent Filipino fixture

The Filipino contributions of the "It Lies Within" theme song and the characters Nero and Yuffy will be permanent symbols to the annual esports festival.

For P-pop group G22 and songwriter Nica Del Rosario, it was an honor that the anthem has been well-received and will have a lasting mark in the coming years.

"Our goal was to compose a song that embodies the spirit of the league, and we are honored and grateful that it was received well as the anthem of this year’s tournament both locally and internationally across the APEC region,” shared Del Rosario.

It Lies Within, a collaboration among FlipMusic, TNC and Predator Gaming, highlights not just the triumphs but also the struggles and the overall journey that esports athletes tackle as they strive for victories.

Del Rosario adds, "The song is about finding the courage within yourself to face each challenge head-on, to stand tall and proud amidst the struggles, and to rise from the ashes and begin again when faced with defeat. I think this reflects the journey of the Filipino esports community, as courage, resilience, and determination are vital qualities that make an outstanding esports athlete."

Finding the same inspiration, local artist Niel "CHK DSK" Marcelino made sure to incorporate resiliency in the character design of the Filipino character, Nero.

"Doon sa character traits nila, nilagay ko doon sa character background niya, yung resiliency. Kung sa Pinoy, kahit matalo ka, parang hindi yun the end. Hindi ka susuko doon. Yun yung isang Filipino trait na gusto kong makita ng tao na na kay Nero, na kahit anung mangyari tuloy pa rin,” explained Marcelino.

Initially designing a mech-type character, Marcelino changed the overall style to a character that is more relatable to fans of the Predator League and see a story of overcoming challenges, like that of leveling-up in game.

He adds, "Yung first na pinasa ko, yung inspiration nun parang mecha siya. More on robots yung aesthetics niya. Kasi nung tinignan ko yung previous na characters nila, may resemblance. So inisip lang namin, ba't ka pa gagawa ng bago kung parehas lang rin nung luma. So ito namang si Nero, iniisip ko na, paano ba natin ito magig-relatable sa lahat? Kasi siyempre Predator League, maraming gamers na gumagamit. Kumbaga gusto namin pagnakita nila si Nero, mag-sabi nila na parang ako yan. Aside sa being relatable din, si Nero, gamer siya, na may struggles sa buhay. Parang ano siya, nagle-level up na tao hanggang maging hero at maovercome lahat ng struggle sa buhay."

Seeing his creation come to life in the recent Predator League, Marcelino couldn't help but be overwhelmed.

He shared, "Nakaka taba ng puso. Nung pag announce pa lang na sila Nero and Yuffy na yung official characters ng Predator ngayon, tapos nung lumabas yung animation video, nakakaoverhwlem. Tapos ngayon nagulat ako may cosplayer pa. Sobrang proud kasi masasabi natin na 'Uy Pinoy gumawa niyan.'"