Alcasabas, Lorenzo Miguel

SPEECOM A51

The Impact of Video Games Within Philippine Cultural History

1. Introduction
a. The Basic Idea of Video Games: ​A Cultural Element of Leisure by all
generations
b. Experienced a mass technological evolvement:
i. Arcade machines
ii. Consoles (Gamecube, Playstation, Xbox, etc.)
iii. Mobile Games (Phone)
c. Thesis Statement: ​The impact of video games in the overlay of Philippine
Cultural History is best described as a ​cultural and economic trend, an element
of politics, and an opportunity within the field of education​.
2. Body
a. Cultural and Economic Trend
i. Golden Age of the Video Arcade Game Industry (1970 - 1985)
1. 1970s (Economic)1
a. Establishment of a multi-billion dollar global market
b. “Arcade Gameroom” and “Digital Out-of-Home
Entertainment” Industry
2. 1980s (Cultural)2
a. Response to growing demand
b. Attraction of more game developers = more games
ii. Philippine Perspective (1990 - present)
1. Timezone (1978 - present)
a. Came to the Philippines in 1998
b. Political Element
i. 1981 - Banning of video game machines by the Marcos Administration
1. Description
a. Requested by the Chamber of Filipino Retailers, Village
Ladies Brigade, and the Association of Filipino Women.3

1
"The History Of Video Games - BMI Gaming." Accessed February 16, 2020.
https://www.bmigaming.com/videogamehistory.htm​.
2
Ibid
3
"Ban video games in Philippines - UPI Archives - UPI.com." Accessed February 15, 2020.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/19/Ban-video-games-in-Philippines/5414374994000/​.
 i.
Psychological Stigma = “wreaking havoc on the
morals and discipline of our youth.”4
b. Also affected pinball machines, slot machines, and other
gaming devices.5
c. Penalty: $600 or face up to 12 years in prison6
2. Affects
a. Negative
i. “Halting” the cultural progress on local base and
development
ii. Cultural Displacement within youth
b. “Positive”
i. Avoiding Disaster: The 1983 Video Game Market
Crash
c. An Educational Opportunity
i. Video Games as a means of developing future careers
1. DLSU’s partnership with Ubisoft (Laguna Campus)7
a. 2016 to present
ii. Video Games as an alternative method of teaching
1. Minecraft Education Edition

3. Conclusion

4
Ibid
5
"Philippine President Bans Videogames | History Channel on ...." Accessed February 15, 2020.
https://www.historychannel.com.au/this-day-in-history/philippine-president-bans-videogames/​.
6
Ibid
7
"LOOK: Ubisoft opens new studio in Laguna | ABS-CBN News." Accessed February 16, 2020.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/07/30/18/look-ubisoft-opens-new-studio-in-laguna​.
References:

“The History of Video Games and Computer Games - Visual Timeline.” BMI Gaming.
https://www.bmigaming.com/videogamehistory.htm​.

“Ban Video Games in Philippines.” UPI. UPI, November 19, 1981.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/19/Ban-video-games-in-Philippines/5414374994
000/​.

News, ABS-CBN. “LOOK: Ubisoft Opens New Studio in Laguna.” ABS, July 30, 2018.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/07/30/18/look-ubisoft-opens-new-studio-in-laguna​.

“Philippine President Bans Videogames: History Channel on Foxtel.” History Channel, June 9,
2017.
https://www.historychannel.com.au/this-day-in-history/philippine-president-bans-videoga
mes/​.