PH indie studio unveils ‘Batikan,’ a precolonial RPG rooted in Filipino identity

Dalluyon Studio pushes culture-first storytelling, taps local talent as it builds flagship game amid AI-driven industry.

Indie game developer Dalluyon Studio is currently working on two major projects: a 2-4 player card game titled “Digmaan,” and a PC role-playing game (RPG) called “Batikan: Ancestral Chronicles.”

In a video posted on TikTok, the studio introduced its shared mission to spotlight Philippine culture. Positioned as its flagship PC title, “Batikan” is set in an alternate version of pre-colonial Philippines. The developers aim to depict this era not through foreign lenses, but from a distinctly Filipino perspective.

According to the team, the game will blend real cultural elements from Philippine history with the myths and legends many Filipinos grew up with.

Players will encounter a range of enemies, including mythical aswangs, pirates, and foreign forces encroaching on local shores. The characters are shaped by the country’s diverse regions, with voice acting snippets referencing groups such as the Igorot and the Mandaya.

Dalluyon Studio also emphasized that everything seen in “Batikan”—from early concept art and environments to its lore—is being created by Filipino talent, pushing back against the growing use of AI-generated content in gaming.

The studio likewise highlighted the game’s rich audio design, featuring local musicians and voice actors working together to create a deeply authentic Filipino experience.

While “Batikan” remains in early development, the team said it is moving forward with “intention, passion, and a lot of heart.”

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