Let’s be real for a second—everyone knows what a Vampire is. From Twilight to Castlevania, the “brooding bloodsucker” is a global superstar. So, when I started developing this game, the safe bet was definitely the Vampire. It’s a Western mythos that sells.
But honestly? Masyado nang gasgas. (It’s overused.)
I wanted something with soul that called back to my heritage. Something that hits close to home. That’s why I decided to ditch the cape and fangs for the Aswang Warrior.
Reclaiming the “Kuwento ni Lola”
When I was a child(bata), my parents would tell me those scary stories to make sure I stayed in bed. You know the one—the long, thin thread coming down from the roof to cause harm or affect an unborn baby.
Growing up, the word “Aswang” always meant something bad. It was a monster, a bogeyman, a source of fear. But as I looked into my heritage, I realized something: Why can’t we (kabayans and I) re-imagine it? Why can’t our monsters be as iconic as the Japanese Oni, the Greek Minotaur or Dracula? Instead of just being a “bad thing” in the dark, I want to transform the Aswang into a formidable warrior class. It doesn’t have to be a good guy it can be someone like Genghis Khan and conquer most of the world!
Culture in the Details
I didn’t just change the name; I put our culture into the design.
- The Armor: Instead of generic medieval plate, our warriors wear gear etched with Baybayin script. It’s not just “cool symbols”—it’s our history, our ancestral way of writing, woven directly into the gameplay.
- The Vibe: We’re aiming for a “Warrior-Protector” or “Warrior-Dominator”, depending on view, vibe. Think of it as a creature that has mastered its primal nature to defend its territory.
Should I change it or push forward?
If this game ships worldwide, I want a kid in New York or London to see an Aswang Warrior and think, “Whoa, that’s Filipino culture,” the same way they do with Samurai or Vikings.
Since the term still carries that heavy weight back home, we have to ask the people who know these stories best:
Do you think we can overcome the negative stigma of the Aswang by turning it into a badass game hero? Or should we pivot to a title that’s “safer” and more palatable for the general public?