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Carlsquare Advises Boomi on Acquisition of Data Integration Provider RiveryIn a small but growing community, game development in Brunei is beginning to find its footing. Among them is Wilson Siow, founder of WilKGames, an independent game development venture he established in 2020. His journey, however, began long before that. His journey in game development began in 2017 and at the time, he was transitioning from more than a decade-long career as a telecommunications engineer. Burnt out from repetitive work and uninspired by senior roles filled with meetings and presentations, Siow sought a new creative outlet and game development became that spark. Inspired by the simplicity of Flappy Bird, a game created by a solo developer, Siow realised that an individual could craft something impactful without a major studio’s backing. “Gaming has always been a big part of my life,” he said. “I grew up with the Sega Genesis and Nintendo consoles. Even during my working days, I played games like World of Warcraft and MapleStory. Transitioning into game development felt like a natural path for me.” CHALLENGES OF A SOLO GAME DEVELOPER Although the divergent path seemed destined, for solo developers like Siow, the journey comes with its fair share of challenges. “Game development isn’t a sustainable career path in Brunei yet,” he shared. As a result, Siow must balance working on his game with taking on projects that help fund his development ventures. ABOVE & BELOW: ‘Tikus Tales’ at a games event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Founder of WilK Games Wilson Siow at the SEA Awards Ceremony. PHOTO: WILKGAMES PHOTO: WILKGAMES The start screen of the game ‘Tikus Tales’. PHOTO: WILKGAMES A screenshot of the ‘Tikus Tales’. PHOTO: WILKGAMES His early steps in game creation revolved around mobile titles. Between 2017 and 2020, he published five games on the Android Play Store, treating these projects as stepping stones. “I didn’t make any money from them. My first games were more like learning projects to understand the basics – like how to make objects move. I do everything myself, from the art to the programming,” he explained. While some developers prefer genres like first-person shooters or horror games, Siow focuses mainly on action platformers that are kid-friendly and fun for all ages. “Many people have commented that my games remind them of those childhood favourites, which is intentional because they’re my biggest inspiration,” he said. His work targets a nostalgic audience, those who grew up playing classic platformers, and he has stayed true to this aesthetic. Time management also presents a significant hurdle for game developers, as they must decide whether to create assets themselves or purchase pre-made ones, constantly weighing the time spent crafting every asset against the speed gained from buying them. “Being a solo developer means doing everything yourself – art, programming, and everything in between. It’s always a trade-off between time and money,” he explained. Despite these challenges, Siow remains optimistic. Tikus Tales, his current project, marks his first venture into PC games and has already garnered attention. The game was nominated and made it to the Top 40 for the Level Up SEA Game Awards at the Malaysia Digital Content Festival this year, a milestone that earned him a sponsored trip to Kuala Lumpur, courtesy of the Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL). “The support from BIL has been invaluable,” he shared. “They’ve invited us to workshops, helped us upskill, and provided opportunities to teach others about game development.” CULTIVATING A COMMUNITY When Siow started in 2017, the game development scene in Brunei was nearly non-existent. “I didn’t know anyone else making games,” he recalled. That changed in 2018 when he met members of another local game company. Through online platforms like Reddit, he connected with more enthusiasts and helped establish the Brunei Game Developers Community in 2019. “We started small, just five or six of us,” Siow said. Today however, the community boasts over 100 members, ranging from 16-year-old students to working professionals in their late 30s. While only a small number are actively engaged, the group’s diversity reflects the untapped potential within Brunei. “Every bit of involvement matters,” he emphasised. “It’s about building awareness and encouraging more people to explore this industry.” THE FUTURE OF GAME DEVELOPMENT IN BRUNEI Siow believed that Brunei’s game development scene holds immense potential, though he recognises that the road ahead will be challenging. “Regionally, some of our neighbours are ahead of us, but even in Southeast Asia, the game development scene is still relatively young,” he explained. “In Brunei, we’re at an even earlier stage.” For local developers to thrive, he emphasised the importance of focusing on creating quality games that can showcase their talent on a global stage. “We need stronger portfolios,” he said. “Right now, it’s less about making money and more about proving that we can create something extraordinary. “It’s still too early to determine what’s needed. Our focus should be on producing high-quality games.” Only once the local game development community has found its footing should the Sultanate consider implementing policies and infrastructure to support the industry’s growth. For now, however, in addition to strengthening local capacity, the community should be encouraged to continue their projects, with a focus on establishing more consistent support systems, such as events and showcases, to keep the momentum going. For those considering a career in game development, Siow believes that there has never been a better time to dive in. “Just dive in. The tools are free, tutorials are everywhere, and the community is here to support you. If you have questions, reach out to local developers. We’re always happy to help new talent.” – Wardi Wasil
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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 28: The Ministry of Interior has refuted claims circulating on social media about a KD 500 fine being imposed on domestic workers who fail to complete biometric fingerprinting. In an official statement, the ministry clarified that these reports are inaccurate and urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources. The ministry reminded all expats, including domestic workers, to complete their biometric fingerprinting by the deadline of December 31, 2024, to avoid any disruption to their official transactions. It emphasized the importance of adhering to the process and warned against spreading baseless rumors. For accurate updates, residents are encouraged to refer to the Ministry of Interior's official website at www.moi.gov.kw or contact their helpline.
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Pakistan calls US sanctions on missile programme ‘unfortunate and biased’IAG, the parent of British Airways, is weighing options with multiple providers, including Amazon.com Inc’s AMZN Project Kuiper and Elon Musk’s Starlink to equip its fleet with Wi-Fi service, Bloomberg cites from an interview with IAG’s head of innovation, Annalisa Gigante. According to the report, Gigante acknowledged working with Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper towards something likely for 2025. Also Read: Amazon’s Project Kuiper In Talks With Taiwan For Satellite Partnership According to the Bloomberg report, while U.S. airlines can easily switch to Starlink because the Federal Aviation Administration has already authenticated it, European carriers have to undergo a certification process. British Airways would need a separate certification from Iberia, she said. Amazon plans to launch the first operational Kuiper satellites by 2025. The talks reflect airlines forging deals with Starlink and rivals for faster, affordable, unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi. Starlink boasts of ~4 million customers. In March, Icelandair selected ViaSat Inc VSAT for Wi-Fi on the new Airbus fleet to ensure an online experience with streaming entertainment. In May, Qatar Airways collaborated with Starlink to offer complimentary Wi-Fi on three of its Boeing Co BA 777-300 aircraft. In September, United Airlines Holdings, Inc UAL announced plans to offer free inflight Wi-Fi to its passengers, leveraging Starlink service. Also in September, Hawaiian Airlines Airbus-operated flights announced the availability of Starlink satellite internet service. Price Action: AMZN stock is up 1.73% at $228.91 at the last check on Tuesday. Also Read: Lockheed Martin Secures $3.37 Billion F-35 Contract And More Photo via Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Colby Rogers, Moussa Cisse lead Memphis to an 87-70 win over No. 16 Mississippi