For millions all over the world, these “LAN Parties” were an essential part of growing up鈥攁mong them, Turkey native Selcuk Atli. The video game enthusiast loved the closeness and banter of these gatherings, a sentiment that he carried even as developments in the gaming industry allowed for playing at a distance. As the mobile phone became increasingly sophisticated and accessible, he saw an opportunity to bring them back.

鈥淸In] late 2017, what I was thinking is, 鈥榃hy can鈥檛 you do this on your smartphone? Because your smartphone is just as powerful as your computer like 3 years ago,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he only thing that was really missing is high-quality, real-time multiplayer games that you can play at the same time with your friends, and we thought that was on the verge of happening.鈥�

Getting the gang together

This eventually inspired Atli, along with Jason Liang and Jordan Howlett, to build Bunch, a video chat app that allows a group to talk to each other while playing games.

Bunch’s Overlay feature allows users to see their friends on a video hovering over the interface. The feature is only available on Android so far, but upcoming updates include iOS compatibility and deeper integration with games being played鈥攍ike switching the camera over to whomever you’ve trained your crosshairs on while playing your favorite shooter, all the better to see their reaction when you pull off that headshot.

Funded by the likes of Tencent, Supercell, and Riot Games, users have over 20 games on the platform to choose from: including original, plug-and-play titles such as Mars Dash and Draw Party, to third-party favorites that require an external download such as Mario Kart, Fortnite, Minecraft, and even Monopoly.

鈥淲hen you look at the content experience on Bunch, it鈥檚 a lot like a Sega or Nintendo,鈥� said Atli. 鈥淚f you love Sonic, you buy a Sega. If you love Mario, you buy a Nintendo. And while you get this immediately lovable onboarding experience where you can play these games right away, in the long term, you stay on the console because of the third-party games.鈥�

Social upgrades

As people continue to distance themselves from each other due to the ongoing pandemic, platforms like Bunch have become even more important in creating and maintaining connections鈥攁 virtual couch or computer shop where you have fun and stay close to the people that you love.

As of March 22, its total number of game sessions and hangouts grew 50 times over the last two weeks, with the total time spent in hangouts growing by 25% day over day. And it鈥檚 a diverse demographic that鈥檚 enjoying the platform, composed of 62% female players and 75% of the user base outside the USA and Canada.

Bunch has also enabled its users to connect in more unique ways, with Atli recounting a group that threw a video game birthday bash for their friend through the platform. And with the so-called new normal inculcating itself into our daily lives, he feels that such interactions will only persist over time.

鈥淏ecause of COVID-19, people started looking for this kind of experience on their phone鈥� they鈥檙e looking for more meaningful ways to connect with each other, better than video chat,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd when you think about it, what鈥檚 better than video chat? It鈥檚 playing games while you video chat.”

]]> /sparktionary/2020/01/24/275056/sparkup-sparktionary-four-chinoy-business-practices-to-guide-you-into-the-year-of-the-rat/ Fri, 24 Jan 2020 02:50:45 +0000 /?p=275056 Tomorrow marks a very important day for the Chinese community: the start of a new year, specifically: the Year of the Rat.

Considered one of the most auspicious signs for business due to its wit and perception, the Rat heralds what is widely expected to be a 听 for entrepreneurs.

In celebration of Chinese New Year, we asked young Chinoys to share some cultural business traits that they expect will carry them into a prosperous new year.

1. Diskarte or street smarts

When the Spanish started colonizing the country, the Chinese community faced much oppression in the form of various including taxes and predetermined residential areas. Through these experiences, Chinoys learned to succeed by making the most of what they have.

鈥淔or me, that鈥檚 really sticking to your roots, that you don鈥檛 get swayed鈥� to gain brownie points if your business doesn鈥檛 need it,鈥� said Rebecca Lee, social media analyst from an e-commerce company.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 one thing that I want to emulate鈥� remembering that sometimes people may want to withhold things from you but that鈥檚 not the end of the world.鈥�

2. Frugality

Given these historical limitations, Chinoys also learned to save up– a habit that they carried with them even into prosperity. Since childhood, Kimberly Tiamlee, finance officer of her family’s construction business and co-owner of Pulseras ni Kim and Makers Caf茅, had been trained to be frugal in her day to day life.

鈥淚 remember that when I started working, I would bring a packed lunch,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was really important for me to do that because little things, they add up. A lot of people are excited for payday because they get to spend their money, but it鈥檚 different for me.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e worked in corporate before and one the stark similarities I noticed between [non-Chinoys] and [Chinoys] is how we viewed money as a means, not an end,鈥� said Lorina Tan, business unit head for baby care brand Tiny Buds. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not unusual for co-workers to splurge on paycheck days while the Chinese people I鈥檝e worked with tend to be more reserved with their money.鈥�

3. Entrepreneurial mindset

Most Chinoy families run their own businesses, constantly finding ways to get the biggest bang out of their buck.

In this day and age, being an entrepreneur doesn鈥檛 necessarily translate to doing it full-time. Lee cites childhood friends who are able to juggle employment and operation of their own small businesses.

鈥淭echnology also affords us that kind of capability to not only be an employee but also have a small business that you grow from scratch,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can be a good employee and have side hustles.鈥�

4. The value of 鈥渇ace鈥�

As entrepreneurs, Chinoys put high importance in the value of or 鈥渇ace鈥�, which roughly translates to trust, honor, or dignity. This means upholding your image and trustworthiness through your words and actions, and following through with your obligations.

Tan learned the delicate dynamics of 鈥渇ace鈥� through business deals. 鈥淚n the beginning, as a new entrepreneur with a corporate background, there were times when I wanted everything on paper. Thankfully, my mom was there to guide me on when this is appropriate and when it could even harm a business relationship.”

鈥淣ow, I鈥檓 proud to say some of our closest partners are people we have a genuine friendship with,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t makes work so much more fulfilling to be able to do what you love with people you genuinely trust and care about. No piece of paper could ever do that.鈥�

]]> /sparktionary/2018/11/12/198474/sparktionary-data-scientist/ Mon, 12 Nov 2018 05:49:59 +0000 /?p=198474

General Manager (APAC) for ASG Technologies Praveen Kumar explains what a data scientist is and breaks down the business imperative of citizen data scientists.
Interview: Anna Gabriela Mogato
Video and Editing: Paolo Lacambra Lopez

]]> /sparktionary/2018/04/20/152123/sparktionary-competition-grab-uber-pcc/ Fri, 20 Apr 2018 04:03:51 +0000 http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=152123
A millennial from the Philippine Competition Commission explains “competition,” a term that’s been used lately because of the Grab-Uber deal.
Photography by Paolo Lacambra Lopez
Editing by Samantha Gonzales

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