In the underrepresented game development landscape of the Philippines, building a video game isn’t just an art form—it’s an act of independence.
Photo: OledEye
While major studios rely on multi-million-dollar budgets and hundreds of artists to construct digital worlds, Ryle Johnson Mascardo proved that immersive narrative experiences can thrive right here in the Philippines, even on a shoestring budget.
Fueled by grit, accessible technology, and an unyielding vision, the 19-year-old independent game developer established his solo studio, OledEye Games, and released his story-driven, psychological first-person horror game, Flunked, on August 4, 2026.
Built in a tight 29-day sprint on a microscopic budget of approximately P1,247, Flunked is Mascardo’s passion project, designed to plant the seeds of an expansive original narrative universe rooted in a localized, atmospheric setting.
Photo: OledEye
A descent into Prangkisa City
Flunked is a narrative-driven game that transports players to the eerie visual landscape of Dapo—a sector within the fictional Prangkisa City.
The game leans heavily into cinematic realism, adopting a rich color palette dominated by deep reds, rustic browns, and moody tungsten lighting designed to evoke the textural aesthetic of an indie short film rather than a traditional game.
Players step into the shoes of Melt, a young man searching frantically for his missing sister, Trix, who mysteriously vanished following the disastrous sinking of an ocean liner. As Melt navigates a haunting environment—complete with surreal gameplay segments featuring highways littered with abandoned boats—his primary link to safety comes via UI dialogue transmissions from his Aunt Zillow.
Photo: OledEye
To bring Melt to life, the developer utilized Unreal Engine 5 alongside Epic Games’ MetaHuman Creator technology and low-cost markerless motion capture tools to track his own movements directly into the engine, blending live performance with digital space. Sound design was stitched together using Audacity, while the atmospheric score was composed in BandLab.
Due to budget constraints, Mascardo served as the primary actor, animator, writer, and programmer. Aside from a small voice-acting contribution from a college peer at Mapúa University, Mascardo crafted every frame, interaction, and line of code solo.
Bridging gaming and cinema
From its inception, Flunked was envisioned as a multi-format story. Beyond its playable form on itch.io, the project is stepping directly into the cinematic sphere.
Photo: OledEye
According to Mascardo, he is adapting Flunked into two distinct five-minute short-film versions—complete with stylized movie posters—which are being submitted to independent film festivals.
This dual nature has begun to capture the attention of digital communities and content creators alike. Channels such as Leirwill have highlighted Flunked, diving deep into its visual design, sound mixing, atmospheric Filipino horror themes, and underlying narrative arc centered around delusion and grief.
Rather than chasing viral gimmicks, OledEye Games focuses on organic, community-led marketing through YouTube and TikTok to build a dedicated audience interested in the universe’s overarching lore.
Photo: OledEye
The horizons of OledEye games
Flunked is merely the foundational chapter of a much larger blueprint. Mascardo has already planned to secure funding for a major content update and a second installment, shifting the perspective toward Aunt Zillow to expand on Dapo’s secrets.
Additionally, a primary flagship title—internally referred to as the “One Dream Game”—is in development within the same interconnected universe, alongside plans for separate spin-off titles exploring different corners of Prangkisa City.
For aspiring creators looking to step into independent game design, the 19-year-old developer advises focusing less on reinventing the wheel and more on disciplined execution.
Photo: OledEye
“Understand what you want to make, know why you are making it, and maintain the discipline required to carry your vision across the finish line,” he said.
As an independent game developer, director, and actor from Mindanao, Mascardo’s goal remains simple: to release high-quality, story-driven horror experiences alongside creative games that showcase what local solo developers can achieve with modern tools and zero excuses.
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