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Video gaming in the Philippines is an emerging industry and pastime that includes the production, sale, import/export, and playing of video games. The Philippine eSports Organization (PeSO) is an eSports entity that is the official Philippine representative to the International eSports Federation (IeSF), which is one of the largest eSports associations in the world. It carries the interests of the Filipino eSports community on the international arena.
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Demographics
NIKO Media Research projected the number of PC Gamers from rose from 21 million in 2012 to 28.72 million in 2014.
Game development industry
The Philippines is a minor player when in the game development industry. In 2011, it was reported that the local industry only has 0.02% market share of the $90 billion global industry. Majority of the game development industry is focused on outsourcing to foreign companies rather than creation of local content. According to the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), there are about 4,000 professionals representing about 60 companies are involved in the game development industry as of 2013. The Philippines primary competitors in this field is China, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.
The first Filipino-developed game was Anito: Defend a Land Enraged which was released in 2003.
In 2016 the French video game development company Ubisoft announced plans on establishing a subsidiary in the country, which opened on March 28, 2016 in Santa Rosa, Laguna in partnership with De La Salle University.
1981 ban on video games
On November 19, 1981, President Ferdinand Marcos banned video games in the country through a presidential decree making the Philippines the first nation to ban video games. The decree was a response to complaints from parents and educators who allege that games such as Space Invaders and Asteroids were detrimental to the youth's morals, viewing them as a "destructive social enemy" and "to the detriment of the public interest". Marcos also decreed the ban of pinball machines, slot machines, and other similar gaming devices. Filipinos were given two weeks to either destroy their video games and devices or to surrender the materials to the police and army. Violators had to pay a fine amounting about $600 and face 6 months to 1 year of prison. Playing video games in the country went underground. The ban was effectively lifted following the 1986 People Power Revolution.
Ban on Defense of the Ancients
While no video games are banned nationwide so far since 1986, at least one title, Defense of the Ancients, has been banned at a barangay in Dasmariñas, Cavite following complaints of delinquency issues, and two murder incidents involving youths in the area resulting from brawls in relation to the game.
Copyright infringement
Unauthorized distribution of video games is a complex issue in the Philippines. Despite legislation against copyright violation, enforcement and cultural factors remain an obstacle against it in the country. Copied video games, along with warez, contribute to the underground economy of the country where video gaming is a popular form of entertainment among Filipino families. The inability of many Filipino families to afford video game software and hardware at legitimate prices leads them to turn to unlicensed goods. The Optical Media Board with cooperation with the police enforces intellectual rights law in the country.