Amber Newsletter | February 2024

Amber's Conversion of the NFL Pro Era II VR Game Has Officially Launched

Get ready for the Super Bowl! Amber's conversion of the NFL Pro Era II VR game, transitioning from Meta Quest to Pico XR headsets, has officially launched in both the China and Global PICO app stores.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making this project a reality!

Amber Shines Bright at GameDev Summit 2024

The buzz from GameDev Summit 2024 is still echoing through the industry, and we're thrilled to have been part of the action! Our very own? Mel Songco , General Manager at Amber Philippines, and Mihai Smaranda , Head of Development Support Services, showcased our expertise and innovation at this premier event. Set in the dynamic Asia Pacific region,?GameDev Summit is a beacon for industry professionals. With its External Development Summit Main Stage hosting top-notch speakers and panelists and in collaboration with the Game Developers Association of the Philippines, GDS is a hotspot for industry insights and networking.

As we reflect on our involvement, we eagerly anticipate the next iteration of GDS. This is an opportunity for us to continue driving progress, building connections, and?shaping the future of gaming on a global scale.

Inside Amber: A Journey with Mihai Sfrijan on TAN?NANA FM!?

Step into our world as we share a glimpse of our journey with Mihai Sfrijan , our Head of Studios.

Recently, Mihai was invited to?TAN?NANA FM's Byte pe Beat, a radio show hosted by Octavian Palade and Florin Ca?ot? , where he spilled the beans on our game development secrets.??

From our humble beginnings to our latest triumphs, including collaborations on popular titles like?Stumble Guys, Secret Neighbor, and SAW X, get ready for an exclusive look at what makes us tick.?

Gaming Insights with Shiew Yeu Loh : Women in Focus

Last week was an inspiring one for us as we welcomed a familiar face back to the Manila office. Shiew Yeu Loh , Senior Art Outsourcing Manager from Riot Games and?a former member of our Amber family, paid us a visit.

During her time with us,?Shiew shared her journey into the gaming industry and discussed the vital topic of Women in Games. It was an enlightening presentation that left our colleagues in Manila with plenty of valuable insights and inspiration.

We're grateful to Shiew for taking the time to share her expertise and experiences with us. It's encounters like these that remind us of the importance of continuous learning and fostering a supportive community within our industry.

Introducing AmberPets: Our Furry Friends Take Center Stage!

Cuteness overload on the social media front!?We've launched?a brand new series called AmberPets , inspired by the success of our beloved?AmberPeople?series. It's been amazing to see the enthusiasm from our colleagues as they showcase their furry family members to the world.

Meet our very first star of the series, Rollo. This dapper gentleman is part velcro cat, part florist, and full of authentic ragdoll charm. Well, at least when he's not napping, munching, or serenading with his vocals. ??

Exciting Recap of GGJ 2024 Games Developed at Amber Mexico!

At Amber Mexico, the team is proud to announce that their participation in the?Global Game Jam?was a resounding success. They brought together?over 100 Jammers from various parts of the city and the country, who combined their ideas, skills, and talents to develop incredible video games within 48 hours.

A total of?18 projects were created during the event?under the theme "Make Me Laugh," where Jammers put their creativity to the test to entertain and bring laughter with their imaginative games.

Amber Mexico expresses gratitude to Arden Asociación Civil and UTJ?for providing their space and equipment; without them, this successful event wouldn't have been possible. We look forward to continuing to collaborate on future projects and events.

Celebrating 4 Years of Magic at Amber Mexico!

Amber Mexico is excited to celebrate its 4th anniversary, a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and community within the Mexican gaming scene. Our anniversary bash perfectly captured the lively spirit of Amber, filled with laughter, fun activities, and delicious food, creating an atmosphere of pride and achievement. Over the years,?we've not only developed awesome games but also built a passionate and talented community?that's been integral to our success.

We want to extend?a big thank you to everyone who's been part of this incredible journey. The unwavering support of our collaborators, both inside and outside the company, has been key in shaping Amber Mexico's impact and presence in the industry. As we look forward, we're doubling down on our commitment to excellence, innovation, and pushing gaming boundaries.?

Amber Mexico Empowers Talent as Proud Sponsors of New Unreal Engine Training Program

Embarking on a mission to fortify the gaming industry,?Amber Mexico, in collaboration with?Arden?and other talent development specialists, proudly introduces its newest endeavor:?the Unreal Engine Training program.

The program empowers participants to delve into the engine's core elements, explore diverse game development techniques, and breathe life into their projects. Unreal Engine, crafted by Epic Games, stands as a pillar of real-time 3D creation tools, revered throughout the animation and gaming sectors. With the industry's gaze fixed on the potential innovations Unreal Engine holds,?Amber Mexico has taken a strategic leap to nurture talent within Mexico's creative community.

Launched on February 23, 2024, the program unfolds over six months,?offering 120 hours of immersive learning through synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Additionally, participants will have access to mentorship opportunities endorsed by Epic Games.

INDUSTRY SNEAK PEEK - February 2024

"Developers and publishers alike champion the need for thorough design documents at every stage of the development cycle, but it all counts for nothing if the players don't want to, well... play!

Now a near-essential part of the modern games-as-a-service approach, the soft launch process provides game creators with actionable data based on the responses of an engaged and often well-informed audience.?

Somewhere between beta and live status, a soft launch gives a window for feedback, revisions, and improvements to produce the most polished end product at the time of release" reports PocketGamer.biz. Read the full story?here .

Launched in September 2020 on iOS, Android, consoles and PC, Genshin Impact has now seen?an estimated $5 billion spent by players in the title ,?data.ai Intelligence reveals, further cementing it as one of the highest-earning games ever — mobile or otherwise.

It took Genshin Impact 40 months to gross its $5 billion grand sum, which makes it the fastest mobile title to reach that mark.

The second-fastest in the standings is Clash of Clans at 51 months. The most recent mobile title to cross $5 billion was Gardenscapes after 91 months on the app stores. All told, there are now 13 mobile games that have surpassed $5 billion in combined consumer spending through the iOS App Store and Google Play.

PlayStation has released?a unique breakdown of game downloads on the PlayStation Store in January 2024 , revealing many new and classic hits as its most-downloaded titles for the month. As revealed, the EU and US/Canada charts are dominated by several 2023 and early 2024 game releases, but there are also some major surprises on the list.

For one thing – Grand Theft Auto V hit the top of the chart in Europe, and nabbed second place in the United States and Canada. At this stage, the game is 11 years old, yet it continues to enjoy sustained longevity, beating out a range of new releases by a large margin. It’s easy to assume this is due to the excitement around the release of GTA 6 in 2025, but the increased popularity of Grand Theft Auto Online may also have contributed to this download boost.