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[cyscorpions]

Roarz VR, Road KillZ and Headshot for VR, out now!

Trust us. This is the next-level mobile gaming experience you don’t want to miss!

KLab Cyscorpions Inc. has just released three kick-ass mobile games, RoarZ VR, RoadKillz and Headshot VR on Google Play and the App Store, now all playable via Virtual Reality system and using two or more smartphone devices, one for the VR headset and another as a gamepad!  

RoarZ

Watch it, they crawl out from the dark! Tired of the same old zombie-shooting-game fare? Try this new awesome VR version of RoarZ! When the zombies come after you, it’ll look so real you’d swear you could feel their fetid breath against your face! To play this game, you’ll need 2 Android smartphones: one used to display the game progress and the other to register the movement and shot of your weapon. Line ‘em up in your kill sights and blow them all back to hell!

App Store: https://goo.gl/z2KFYd

Google Play: https://goo.gl/7AAWm7

RoadKillz

Got time to kill? Take your zombie-crushing fetish to new heights with Roadkillz! Get on your vehicle and step on the gas. Drive around your zombie-infested town and run over as many zombies as you can (or squash them against a building!)  before your gas runs out. You can play Roadkillz in either 2-device mode (view, and steering/gas/brake) or 4-device mode (view, steering, gas, and brake)! For 4-device mode, you control your vehicle by stepping on the gas or brake with your foot (gently, please)! This action-packed VR driving experience is off the charts, not to mention cathartic! Highly recommended!

App Store: https://goo.gl/5aD9Qk

Google Play: https://goo.gl/CxVdo4

Headshot VR

Use your head to score a goal… literally! This deceptively simple soccer game is quite addicting. There will be no boring thumb-twiddling here! With the game’s new VR system, you’ll really have to go through the motions to ‘headbutt’ the ball towards the goal to score. Your timing and anticipation must be impeccable too, ‘coz the opposing team’s goalie will be there to block your shots! You can even compete with friends in score match! Got what it takes to be a soccer star? Download now!

App Store: https://goo.gl/RnCpV6

Google Play: https://goo.gl/jkvTKI

The games use 2 or more mobile devices to play, except for Headshot VR. RoarZ VR, RoadKillZ and Headshot are all currently available on the Google Play and the App Store

[cyscorpions]

KLab Cyscorpions new Project! Python and Django Training Program

Great news for IT students and seasoned software developers out there! KLab Cyscorpions Inc., one of the Philippine’s promising mobile apps developers, is happy to announce that its Training Center will soon be conducting Python and Django learning courses for interested newbies and seasoned programmers this November.

Having recently become very popular and gaining a lot of attention, the demand for knowledgeable Python users has risen over the years. In fact, a number of big-name software companies and institutions - Google, NASA, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and MIT, to name a few - are currently using the Python programming language. But what is Python?

Python is a general-purpose programming language that has been around since the late 1980s. It can be used for almost everything you could possibly think of; from general scripting, web development, data science, machine learning, and many more. It is simple to understand, easy to maintain, and makes software development fast.

Django meanwhile is a free, open-source, high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. Built by experienced developers, it takes care of much of the hassle of web development, making it easier to build better web apps more quickly and with less code.

This November, KLab Cyscorpions Inc. will be offering a comprehensive training program which aims to bestow interested parties with Python and Django knowledge according to their needs. Whether you are new to programming or an experienced professional, our training program has something in store for you.

If this has piqued your interest, the training program has been scheduled as follows:

Upcoming Courses

Python Course 1 - Beginner                                                         November 23-24, 2016

Python Course 2 - Intermediate                                                   December 5-6, 2016

Django Course 1 - Beginner                                                           January 12-13, 2017

Django Course 2 - Intermediate                                                   February 9-10, 2017

The training venue will be at Unit 301-304, C2 Building Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, 1634, 7th Ave, Taguig, Metro Manila. To see the courses we are offering click on this link  http://www.cyscorpions.com/training_program.html

For more information, you may send us your inquiries at training@cyscorpions.com and we’ll reply as soon as possible.

As a programmer who dreams of coming up with the next big thing, having Python and Django in your IT repertoire will definitely be practical. Don’t miss out in learning more about these versatile programming languages now! Python and Django makes it easy to build ideas into reality.  Start your journey with Python and Django with us!  You’ll be glad you did.

[cyscorpions]

TIKTOK - The easiest Attendance System

In this digital age, everything needs to be moving at the speed of light, and never have the phrases “Time Is gold” and “Every second counts” ever been more true, especially in the now high-tech world of industry. Startup companies are popping up like mushrooms (every other week, it seems!), and well-established businesses are always updating all their systems too, to catch up on the latest technological trends that would increase productivity and ensure the smooth running of day-to-day operations.

Time is the new currency, and such companies, whether old or new, are in need of a way to efficiently manage that time. They need a reliable, cost-effective time and attendance system that’s quick to setup, and easy to use. KLab Cyscorpions Inc. has addressed this need by developing a system, aptly named TIKTOK, that can run on tablets as well as PCs.

TIKTOK is the perfect solution for small and medium businesses looking to track time and attendance of its employees, without the usual heavy costs and overhead of traditional systems. Its cutting-edge features make all the difference:

With our QR-Scan technology, Employees can Time In & Out quickly

Whenever employees Time In & Out, TIKTOK takes a photo with the device camera

With the Chime feature, employees can easily notice what time they start and finish their work day

Work Managers can easily research and check employee attendance reports anytime

Sounds amazing right? It gets better … KLab Cyscorpions offers the service at a monthly plan or annual plan, depending on the client’s office needs. If that wasn’t enough, the service can also be offered with a 30-day trial, free of charge.  

To know more about TIKTOK, check out our website here http://www.cyscorpions.com/tiktok/. You can also contact us through our website and we would be more than happy to discuss your business's direct needs.

[cyscorpions]

Rabbit and Wolf Tagalog Sticker Pack now on iMessage!

You can now have a fun food conversation with the new Rabbit and Wolf Tagalog Sticker pack for iMessage!

We’ve recently published the Rabbit and Wolf tagalog stickers on LINE app and now, you can also enjoy using them in iMessage (Read about it on our blog post here) Enjoy expressing yourself with some of the most frequently used Pinoy phrases like, “Gutom na ako!”, “Sayang”, “Ano ba yan!” and many more.  Bring some extra flavor to your iMessage conversations by downloading the Rabbit and Wolf Tagalog Sticker now.

Download the sticker pack here https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id1157930827

Salamat po!

[cyscorpions]

KLab’s First Hackathon: HacKLab

Change is definitely in the air!

KLab Cyscorpions Inc. recently went next level after it held its very first Hackathon event last September 2 and 3, at the KLab Cyscorpions Inc. headquarters in BGC Central.

In partnership with DevCon, Globe Labs, and Google Developer Group Philippines (GDG), KLab invited app programmers and developers from all walks of life to participate in its first-ever hackathon, and  students, professionals, newbies, hackathon veterans, the young and the (ahem) seasoned, rallied to the challenge.

Inspired by the hype generated by the Philippines’ new administration, this first-ever KLab hackathon entitled “HackLab - Change is Hacking” focused on encouraging its participants to come up with innovative mobile apps that would inspire its users to actively participate in resolving socially relevant issues, thus directly affecting social change and improving the Filipino way of life.

Dozens of eager applicants applied online to join Hacklab, but only seven teams, each consisting of 2-4 members, were pre-selected to participate in the hackathon. Cyscorpions own, Team KKB, was one of these illustrious groups. The next 24 hours saw each of the seven teams feverishly working on their ideas, conceptualizing and developing a working application based on the Hacklab theme, “Build The Next Step Towards A #BETTERPHILIPPINES”.

Mentors Ralph Regalado (Community Manager of GDG Philippines), Tristan Babasa (Technical Manager at Novate Technologies, Inc.), Jomar Tigcal (Android developer, trainer, and consultant), and Benj Tupas (Founder/CEO of FunBuddies), were present throughout the development phase of the competition to coach the participants.

While President of DevCon Philippines Mr. Bryan Batibat, Globe Labs Product Manager Ms. Anne Michelle Santos, and KLab Cyscorpions iOS developer Ms. Anne Pabustan, stood as judges for the hackathon. 

After the grueling 24-hour competition proper, each team was given five minutes to present their app to the judges, and another five to address a few questions. After a short break wherein deliberations were made and a tasteful dinner was served, the top three winners were announced.

  Third place went to Team Regener8, for their app, Huli, a mobile app that would give Filipinos a platform to voice out concerns that they feel the local government needs to address immediately. Second place went to Team WY, for their app, Rafael, a travel companion app which would prioritize the user’s protection from everyday danger during travel, and first place was awarded to Team Marius Angels, for their app Ambag, a social platform for giving and receiving donations.

The top three went home with cash prizes amounting to P10,000, P15,000, and 25,000, respectively. Each participating team also received gifts, giveaways, and tokens of appreciation from the organizers.

In his closing remarks, KLab Cyscorpions head organizer Avery Nigel Rodriguez had this to say, "I'm really happy with the outcome of our first-ever hackathon. Such brilliant ideas! I'm looking forward towards further development of these ideas so that they could improve the lives of Filipinos and inspire changes for the better."

[cyscorpions]

Virtual Insanity

First thing that popped into my mind like the proverbial idea light bulb when I thought about what to write for the blog was Virtual Reality, and everything else followed (like the title for this piece, which was a hit song from the British funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai). My blog title notwithstanding, my lack of knowledge about virtual reality won’t drive me virtually insane, but let’s take it slow … for starters, what is Virtual Reality?

According to the website Virtual Reality Society dated January 9, 2016, Virtual Reality is “naturally, from the definitions for both ‘virtual’ and ‘reality’. The definition of ‘virtual’ is near and reality is what we experience as human beings. So the term ‘virtual reality’ basically means ‘near-reality’. This could, of course, mean anything but it usually refers to a specific type of reality emulation.”

I won’t delve into what the technical definition of VR is (I will leave that to my esteemed tech blog colleagues), but VR is the closest thing to reality, like Artificial Intelligence or AI is the closest thing we have to human intelligence. We human beings love to push the envelope when it comes ever-so-gently close to the real thing.

VR’s rise to prominence has been gradual, as early as the 1950’s to present day. When I think of VR, I’m thinking of the movies Tron, Tron Legacy and the Matrix Trilogy, movies wherein the characters interact with complex virtual worlds, where the effects used to convey those worlds to the audience help bring in millions of dollars for the movie industry. Needless to say, cutting-edge VR technology is quite the popular theme.

But that popularity is now catching the attention of other industries. We all know VR was initially developed for gaming, but would you believe, VR is now being used to sell real estate? According to an article posted in the business section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated August 24, 2016, Doris Dumlao-Abadilla quotes what Jacqueline van den Ende, founder and CEO of Lamudi Philippines and MyProperty.ph, said in a press statement, “This revolutionary upgrade in real estate buying is likely to open up the market to international buyers and can make home-buying a faster and more efficient process.”

Potential buyers can now actually view the real estate property through the lenses of a pair of VR goggles, rather than having to wade through traffic just to see the property for themselves. Virtualization will replace photos. Through the use of VR goggles, buyers can view the dimensions of the property while they are in transit, or from within the confines and convenience of their abode.

VR is also being used in sports, to simulate game strategies and offensive and defensive sets. VR is also currently used for exposure therapy. VR is also being used in concerts, theme parks, charity organizations, and various fields of media and entertainment. It’s here now, and here to stay, apparently.

Here at Cyscorpions, VR is being used to enhance many of the company’s core competencies like our 3D animation, games and mobile applications development. A lot of VR projects are in the pipeline, so we’ll see what our hardworking colleagues can come up with. An interesting VR era beckons here at Cyscorpions, and the potential for growth is virtually endless.

[cyscorpions]

KLab Cyscorpions goes to Canyon Cove!

“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” - Game of Thrones

Ok, that was a bit morbid. It was just WIN or LOSE for us, really. Anyway, we’re back at it again! KLab Cyscorpions recently held its annual company outing at Canyon Cove, Batangas.  

I loved the venue because (1) the whole place was huge, (2) it had a homey ambiance, (3) the pool area was really nice (they even had a volleyball area at one corner) and (4) the rooms were impressively spacious! So even though it took us 4 hours of travel time to get to our destination, I think it was all worth it.

I mean, LOOK AT THE VIEW!

It was scorching hot that afternoon; the June breeze everyone was expecting was definitely not filling the air. When we arrived at the resort, we left our bags at the storage area and headed straight to the dining hall, where we seriously stuffed our tummies with a sumptuous lunch catered by the all-time Filipino-favorite restaurant, Max’s. We then went to our assigned rooms (which were really cozy) and freshened up for the activity that afternoon.

A Clash of Cyscorpions

Inspired by the ever-so-awesome TV series Game of Thrones, the enjoyable afternoon activity consisted of all the Cyscorpions members being divided into four “Great Houses”-- House Stark, House Lannister, House Arryn and House Baratheon.  Each “House” was pitted against another House and to determine the winners, one team should either successfully capture the other team’s House banner, or eliminate most - if not all - of the opposing team’s players. And the really fun twist here was instead of swords and dragons, we used water guns as weapons! I would’ve wished for a dragon, to be honest, but you’ll never be too old to enjoy water guns!

With everyone armed accordingly, the House leaders gathered together their members and made their battle plans.

Meet the 4 Great Houses

Fury is ours! - House Baratheon

Winter is coming - House Stark  

As high as honor - House Arryn (My team!)

#HouseArrynReppin

Hear me roar! - House Lannister

All the Houses, hoisting water guns loaded with salt water, then headed for the battle zone for a little game of Capture the Flag.

Let the games begin!

The battle ground was divided into two areas.  One area was for House Lannister vs. House Stark and the other area was for House Arryn vs. House Baratheon.

House Baratheon members position themselves to defend their flag and badges against us, House Arryn!  

Hmm, nope. Can’t let you in our base! - House Arryn

While we of House Arryn were busy defending our spot,  some of our members were being totally badass and had already snatched House Baratheon’s banner from under their noses! HOORAY FOR HOUSE ARRYN! We definitely jumped as high as honor (pun intended).

Meanwhile at King’s Landing (that was actually just on the other side of our current  battleground), the endless war between House Stark and House Lannister was ongoing. Both teams were really competitive; their battle ran for a longer time than ours. Each team had a hard time snatching each other’s banners, so they just relied on shooting the badges of opposing team members until one team lost more players.

House Lannister in #DefenseMode!

Let’s get in formation! - House Stark

By the time the battle was almost done, House Stark was outnumbered. Members of House Lannister took advantage of this to swoop down to the enemy base and tried to grab the Starks’ house banner! But even though House Lannister failed to snatch the flag, they still won for having the most number of remaining players in the game.

Meet the Royal Houses who won the battles!

House Arryn

House Lannister

We still had plenty of time after the activity, so we spent the rest of it playing frisbee by the beach, swimming in the pool, and playing volleyball. Soon thereafter, we had a scrumptious DINNER!

Sadly, it rained hard that night (curse you, rainy season!) so some of us stayed inside the dining hall to play card games like Avalon, while some employees wandered along the beach or hung out at the cabanas.

The following day, we delighted in a hearty breakfast before heading back home.

I could say that  KLab Cyscorpions presented yet again the value of teamwork even at the company outing. Our exceptional bond saw us looking past the different “Houses” that we were in during the activity because at the end of the day, we’re still one big family, working toward one goal. Unlike the divided Kingdoms in Game of Thrones, we’re ONE ROYAL HOUSE  embarking on the quest of being the number 1 in Mobile App Development (No White Walkers, please.)

P.S. Kudos to our GA Division for this successful outing!

Join us again on our fun-filled company outing next year! Until then…

[cyscorpions]

Stick With Us!

Foodies can now express themselves via cute Tagalog stickers, available for LINE!

Admit it, sometimes words just get in the way of what you really want to say. Well now foodies and food app fans alike can spice up their comments and reviews with these cool Tagalog Rabbit and Wolf stickers, and we’re pretty sure their followers will love ‘em too!

The stickers are the brainchild of Japanese expert expat Tomonori Nishikawa of KLab Cyscorpions Inc. He realized that LINE did not have an abundance of foodie stickers in Tagalog, native tongue of the local app market, and thought it would be a nice idea to create some. With the help of his team (Art Director/ Creative expert Mugi Haguchi, Creative expert Mari Tsugawa, and Tagalog Supervisor Ms. Miaki ), they came up with a batch of Tagalog stickers, and named them ‘Rabbit and Wolf’. They started on the project August of last year and were done by September, but the review process took some sweet time.

But now the long wait is over, and the Tagalog Rabbit and Wolf stickers are readily available for all LINE users to enjoy!  What are you waiting for? Download them now  and add fun to your foodie reviews!

[cyscorpions]

Volt in with The Voltes!

KLab Cyscorpions was first introduced to the JP Voltes Football Club earlier this year with an announcement for a 3D design contest, wherein KLab members from the creative divisions were challenged to design a 3D logo and also a new mascot for the football club. With generous cash prizes for the winners up for grabs, you can bet everyone was stoked. Of course, the first question in their minds must have been, “JP Voltes who now?”

The JP Voltes Football Club was one of the founding members of the UFL (United Football League) back in 2009. They were formerly known as the Manila All Japan Football Club and before that they were the Japan-Philippines Voltes Football Club.

The team achieved promotion to the UFL First Division by winning the 2015 promotion and relegation playoff, allowing them to play at the highest level of Philippine club football for the first time in team history.

Presently, the team is composed of 32 players, 26 Filipinos and 6 Japanese nationals,  managed and coached by playing coach Yu Hoshide. The team’s identity is they play as a team - they have no superstars and they attack, defend and work as a team. One player of note was a former player of Japan’s U-20 national side in 2007, Masaki Yanagawa. Yanagawa also played Division 1 J-League football for Vissel Kobe, Japan’s highest level of club football, from 2007-2009. The 29 year-old defender’s presence and experience playing high-level club football in Japan will surely help in the development of our homegrown players due to the transfer of knowledge.

Playing coach Yu Hoshide is the team’s elder statesman, at 38 he is considered to have the most experience having played football for the last 16 years. Hoshide played for the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League (USL) in 2008 and the Northern Virginia Royals (affiliated with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United) of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) in 2009.

Hoshide’s career peaked its highest when he played for Joe Public FC. According to the team’s website “Joe Public became the first club in the T&T professional league to have signed a player from the Asian continent, more so, from Japan. Hoshide became close friends with former Naparima College defender Fabien Lewis, who now plies his trade with the Real Maryland Monarchs, and was the one who introduced Hoshide to Inshan ‘Flex’ Mohammed of the Soca Warriors Online. Inshan in turn assisted him in obtaining a trial with the Eastern Lions, and Hoshide was quite impressive on his first trial with the Pro League title chasers that he was offered a short-term contract.

His quick thinking and technical ability in midfield proved vital in helping Joe Public capture five titles that included the Big Six, Toyota Classic, Digicel Pro Bowl and the T&T Football Federation FA Trophy last season.

Hoshide also became the first Japanese to take part and score in the CONCACAF* Champions League, wearing the  number 10 on his back. With his technical skill and extensive experience, many now look to Coach Hoshide to lead JP Voltes to new heights.

Presently, JP Voltes is in second place at 3-1 behind undefeated table leader Global FC. JP Voltes is coming off a scoreless draw in their last game, held on Philippine Independence Day, June 12, against Stallion FC.

KLab Cyscorpions, a company also founded through Japanese-Filipino partnerships, will be proudly working with JP Voltes, overseeing their marketing and social media platforms.

The collaboration hopes to glean future benefits for both parties, and create a situation where everyone scores a winning goal.

*The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football or CONCACAF is a tournament that assembles all the best club teams from North America.

[cyscorpions]

Family Fun Day Out

"Family: like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one."  - Unknown 

It’s time to devote our time and attention to the loved ones that we only see for dinner after a long, tiring work day! With summer (which is now about to end) generally considered to be a more carefree time, it’s absolutely a perfect season to host an awesome Family Day event.

The 7th of May 2016...

It was a perfect mix of sunny and breezy weather that Saturday morning. At the lovely residential community of Acacia Estates in Taguig, KLab Cyscorpions once again held its much-awaited annual Family Day event, a wonderful opportunity to take a break from mundane work life and gather the whole company together, and invite their families to a day of fun.

‘Family paints colorful memories’ was the event’s theme, which made me look back and realized that in real life,  our best memories are still those moments that are shared with family. 

KLab Cyscorpions members were given the privilege to invite three guests each to join the celebration. Some chose to bring their parents, siblings, or their kids, while others chose to chill and just bring their friends. Of course a number of our beloved members decided to go mushy and brought their special someones. The turnout was impressive, over 300 employees and guests attended this year’s Family Day.

On the day of the event everyone was so noticeably laid-back, obviously enjoying the venue's homey atmosphere. Most of them seemed to be comfortable chatting and sharing stories in the delightful round-table setting arrangement. The mood was warm and  intimate, perfect for conversations between the guests and employees.

While waiting for other guests to arrive,  the early birds were treated to a series of videos featuring previous company events, current projects, achievements (like our newly opened in - house clinic), samples of our 2D & 3D artworks, and  our one-of-a-kind wishlist video (where KLab members were asked to write down their greatest wishes for the coming year, and share it with everybody), which gave members the candid opportunity to show off their dancing, acting and creativity skills, as well as their comical side in front of the camera. No introverts allowed! Haha!

The program started with gracious opening remarks from our President and CEO, Mr. Taro Noguchi, where he expressed his gratitude to the families who keep on inspiring and supporting our members to deal with the highs and low blows of daily work life. Having said that, he declared that the event was entirely dedicated to all our amazing, generous, and loving families. He also added that the event was an excellent chance for them to witness actual company activities, including projects that were achieved in the past year.  He happily ended his message by saying, “Sit back and Enjoy! Mabuhay kayo!”  

The raffle draw came next, and the host did a great job of getting the crowd into that excited groove as winners were called in, one-by-one, to the stage to receive their prizes. Lots of giveaways were  handed out too, so pretty much everyone including their guests had an opportunity to win awesome prizes, like ( a much-needed ) air conditioning unit,  an overnight stay at the chic Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, and many more.

Of course no family day is complete without great games for everyone to enjoy.  First in line was the popular Pinoy Henyo game, a two-player game wherein one person had to guess a word by asking his/her partner questions answerable only with "Yes," "No," or "Maybe." The participants had a hard time figuring out the words, and though the pressure was doubled with one partner blindfolded (which made it more fun and challenging, apparently),  one challenger managed to nail it in less than 5 seconds! Just goes to show that even with the odds stacked against you,  life is sometimes just a matter of luck ... agree?

The ‘pass the message’ game was also a big hit! The mechanics were a bit difficult because the first and last recipient who delivered the ‘message’ were Japanese expats.  

Though it was extremely difficult (but not impossible) for  a Japanese expat to deliver a tongue twister like  “Betong Tutong alyas ‘ketong’ ang hari ng mga bulutong”, surprisingly, the participants got pretty close, (well, at least two words from the original message) , and the final message sent was, “Bentong puro tutong’’, Whoa, it was such an incredibly fun game!

Next, the happy crowd got stoked with some excellent performances coming from our very own Khoros (dance club), and Musik Klub (music club). We were also stunned by a fabulous song number from our receptionist, Ms. Charm, who sang ‘’Rolling in the Deep’’ by Adele. The young lady truly lives up to her name!

A simple but solemn awards ceremony soon followed, and once more a few deserving members were acknowledged as ‘’Most Valuable Person’’  for the year 2015, and were recognized with their beloved families present to witness the awarding. It was extremely an honor to meet the people who serve as the inspiration behind our outstanding members, those who always strive to go further in their work and career.  

#Organizers

Kudos to these young and vibrant ladies who put all their precious  time, effort, and energy to make all these things possible for this event.

#Perks on the Side

Photo Booth - unlimited photo booth prints, it’s not a surprise that it's an instant blockbuster hit!  Needless to say, most of their pictures are on their social media accounts by now, including myself :D

Throwback line - we love #hugot, so our past or previous photos will never fail to either give us a smile or make us ... cry. #Free printed images at this corner.

Ice cream - You can’t buy happiness but you can buy ice cream. That day, we availed it there for free. LOL. I have seen so many little cuties in line, just couldn’t get enough..

Regardless of how much we might or might not have in common, sharing our lives and experiences with each other helps form bonds that are stronger than just from 8-to-5. Truly, when you meet a co-worker’s spouse, partner, child or friend, you’ll start to understand that co-worker better and learn to care more about them. On the other hand, our family and friends then can understand more about the people we spend a third of our life with!  

Indeed, KLab Cyscorpions isn’t just some place we work, but it’s truly part of our lives — a part that is constantly evolving and growing every single day.

[cyscorpions]

Get Started with Python

If you’re a programmer, surely you’ve heard about Python. A general-purpose programming language, Python can be used for just about anything, from web development to artificial intelligence and many others. It is also an interpreted, dynamic and high level language that is designed to read like the English language, allowing you to integrate systems more effectively and deliver code faster compared with other coding languages. On the other hand, if you’re completely new to the world of programming, Python is created in a way that beginners could easily understand and lets newbies learn how to code without having to worry much about the confusing and tedious details.

Learning Python can be challenging, but it can be really fun, too! It is also much easier especially now that we have access to tons of tutorials, online courses and learning materials online. One of which is the KLab Cyscorpions Python Course Notebooks.

These Interactive Notebooks are used internally at KLab Cyscorpions for Python training. And as a new initiative, KLab Cyscorpions has decided to share these Python Training materials with all of you! And it’s FREE! You don’t have to worry if you’re a novice, really. These training notebooks are designed for beginners with little or no background at all in programming.

In the rapid advancement of technology, people, especially in the IT industry, have to keep up if we wish to create something or make up solutions to problems that we encounter everyday through the use of technology. KLab Cyscorpions aims to share as much IT knowledge with everybody, starting with this offering of free Python training notebooks, so that everyone  can all work together and reshape the world by developing new technology with coding.

With the right training materials such as these notebooks, you’ll not only discover why Python is such a go-to programming language, but also why it’s so popular and such a beginner-friendly programming language.

To get started with these manuals, here are some requirements:

Python 3.x

pip

Jupyter

git

The rest of the instructions are all included in GitHub which you can easily access. We also encourage everyone to fork or clone the repo and play with the code on your own! We are hoping you enjoy these Python tutorials! Please feel free to drop some suggestions or concerns regarding the Interactive Notebooks. Happy coding! :)

[cyscorpions]

5 Tips to Improve Android App Performance || For Developers

Nobody wants to use a slow-running app.

Nowadays, great performance and responsiveness are crucial to the success of mobile apps. You may have created an app that is novel and could be a solution to a certain problem, but if it lags or uses a lot of the device’s memory, your app will most probably be uninstalled.

To avoid that, here are some tips to improve the performance of your app and give your users a smooth and awesome experience:

Tip 1. Avoid Application Not Responding (ANR) Dialogs

Seeing an ANR dialog is one of the worst things that can happen in an Android app. It makes the app slow, sluggish, and frozen. It impacts UX and your app usability. To lessen ANRs in your apps, make sure long running tasks are not contained in the UI thread. Tasks like downloading and API calls should be implemented inside AsyncTask, IntentService, or Threads. Furthermore, progress dialogs can also be displayed to enhance UX.

Tip 2. ​Use the support library to narrow discrepancies between Android versions

Hardware/software fragmentation is the discrepancy between different android OSes and devices which are currently in the market. This makes it hard to write a code that can encompass several criteria. One of the workarounds is  using the Android Support Library to implement newer features on older OS.

Tip 3. Consider running the Android Lint tool on your project

The Android Lint Tool offers insights on optimization improvements and could help you find anything in your code that could possibly be a bug.

To run the lint tool, open your project and simply select Analyze > Inspect Code.

Tip 4. Avoid creating unnecessary objects

Avoid the creation of unnecessary objects in your code to reduce the work of the garbage collector. Frequent garbage collection will affect the device’s memory thus, making the app slower. When using lists, which are staple on many Android apps, use View Holder Pattern or Recycler View. These optimize the list view by reusing list item views, making the list scrolling buttery smooth.

Tip 5. Track down Memory Issues

Use MAT(Memory Analyzer Tool) to visualize the references to objects based on Java heap dumps and track memory usage. This will help your application reduce potential leaks which causes app crash.

Klab Cyscorpions Inc. is a multicultural organization catering to the international and local market by providing quality IT services specializing in full-range interactive experiences for web and mobile app development.

[cyscorpions]

God of Goal 2015

The 3D division is one of the gems of the KLab Cyscorpions crown, and with good reason. Made up of young, singular individuals with the creative skill and imagination to match the best in the industry of digital entertainment media, their senior managers have recently begun a project that would ensure that their 3D stars continue to ‘level up’. The project, called God of Goal, is a (not-so- friendly) competition that will challenge the creative teams of 3D to reach their true potential. A one-on-one with project founder and 3D division senior manager Mr. Nelson and the winner, Laurence, enlightens us on what the God of Goal program is really about.

When asked how he came up with this very interesting ‘GOD of GOAL’ project, and what directly inspired him, Nelson had this to say, “The competition wasn't originally part of the plan. God of Goal came up after 3D Management saw how much effort the members gave during their presentations, a part of their goal settings. It felt like a showdown on who has the best 3D techniques to show this year. The amazing response and the friendly competition among the 3D Creatives inspired me to set up this first year-end competition.”

And how did God of Goal start out? Nelson shared, “Previously the members were assigned to present a game-related 3D technique to discuss, but due to our numbers, we started to run out of 3D topics to present! To make sure our members continued to learn and improve on their skills, I suggested a change in the presentations. Enter the God of Goal competition.

“For Round One (the first half of the year, from January to June), members were tasked to build a 3D diorama set, and present the techniques they used to build the entire set. For Round 2 (July to December), they would be showcasing their capacity to animate that set, and bring their motions to Unity.”

The 3D division members must have been so excited! How did your team accept this challenge/project? “The response was overwhelming! The first presentations already showed us that there was a showdown going on and that the bar was already raised very high. It had a positive effect on everyone as it made them aim for a higher quality presentation,” Nelson gushed.  

Since the project began on January 2015, how did you manage to keep your members motivated? “I wouldn't like to take credit for their motivation,’’ Nelson said, ‘’because the guys were motivated by each other’s presentations, if nothing else.”

Getting the chance to talk with the winner of the first God of Goal, Laurence, we gained an insight on how the members of 3D took to the challenge like ducks to water. “This wasn't a competition at first as it was part of our semi-annual goal setting. We were given goals that we had to accomplish and present during our 3D Techniques sessions every Wednesday. So my winning piece wasn't made to 'compete', but just to showcase what the software (Maya) could do in making my ‘vision’ come true,” Laurence said.

How and why did Laurence choose his subject? Was it difficult to do? “I went with the easy option,” Laurence revealed. “We were asked to select a theme, either from film or TV and then translate it into a diorama following a chibi style. I chose Disney's Mulan because, being a 2D film, I believed it would be easy to accomplish - it was flat and had no complicated shadings and textures. The basis for the final look actually is much more 'substantial' though. It is based on Chinese watercolor paintings that I came across while doing my research about the film. The style was so obvious and I just wanted to at least try to capture the feel of it. So I decided to go for the flat watercolor look. The project evolved along the way but I believe it turned out great.”

When asked what inspired him while working on his piece, Laurence opted to retell the story of Mulan. “I think the initial 'way' is to translate the look of the subject as is but with altered proportions, as it should be chibi. This is an opportunity for me to use what I'd like to call my 'artistic license' and do something different in terms of presenting my subject.

“Mulan, for me, is a story of self discovery. I had the cinematic start with visually nothing on screen and then 'paint' every detail until everything is revealed. It worked tonally, as I am going for the watercolor look in my project, and also thematically, with the painting of the blank canvas representing the arc of Mulan - by learning to conquer her own fears and going against convention she was able to save not only herself and her family, but all of China as well.”

What did Laurence think was the best contribution of the God of Goal project to him as a 3D artist and as a person? “I think practicing something you want to improve on can be very helpful. But oftentimes you can get too comfortable with it that you forget there are still avenues you can still explore,” Laurence shared. “What this project did was evoke my curiosity in exploring something I have never dealt with before. There are lots of new things I learned. I believe anything that is new to you can build you up as an artist. Every piece that an artist does is just an amalgamation of their experiences. An artist just has to care enough.”

3D Senior manager Nelson was quite happy and proud sharing his team’s exceptional artwork, the results of God of Goal. When asked what was the positive outcome of this internal competition to the entire team, Nelson reported, “Everybody learned new things! Since the Round 1 was a modeling task, Animators got a chance to practice modeling. And because Round 2 was an animation task, Modelers were able to experience animation tasks. Also both Modelers and Animators got the chance to work and learn with their Unity Tech Designers.So everyone pretty much had time to advise each other behind the scenes. You can tell from their closing remarks, it was like an acceptance speech for the Oscars, thanking everyone who helped them in the process.The best outcome I would say was the bonding.”

We had to ask whether 3D division would be continuing this project for 2016, and will there be any changes to the pattern and goals of the team, and Nelson said, “Hopefully starting this year, the God of Goal competition becomes an annual thing. The plans for this year’s Round 1 has already been set, in fact. The theme would be ‘Realistic Gaming Characters’. As expected, the initial presentations have been smashing!”

In a grand project such as this, it’s not only the team that walks away as winners. While overseeing his members working on this project, Nelson implied he too picked up a few lessons as manager of this project. “As a manager looking at the work of the 3D members, I am overwhelmed by the amount of effort they put in, and proud that they are happy and learning at the same time. It makes me wish I could have the time to do 3D again. Also it drives me to make better goals for them for the next rounds.”

Last but not least, I asked Nelson to give an inspiring message for other 3D artist hopefuls out there, and he shared one lesson that has stayed with him, “I remember when I was learning 3D and the instructor said; '3D is 10% problem and 90% solution'. So if you are new to learning 3D and think that your skills need some improvement, there is always a solution. Continuous learning and a competitive drive are two of them. You can only get better.”

[cyscorpions]

Photo credits: Cathy Lodestar

KLab Cyscorpions, in partnership with Devcon (Developers Connect) Philippines, recently hosted Devcon’s Android Code Camp, Student Edition seminar, last March 12, 2016, at the Cyscorpions headquarters in BGC Central, Taguig.

The free one-day seminar, which ran from 9am to 5pm that Saturday, was attended by thirty IT students from Mapua Makati, DLSU Dasmarinas, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, UE, UP Diliman, Gordon College, and AMA Fairview, who signed up for the Code Camp via the Devcon events web page.

A welcome talk for the attendees opened the affair, with Devcon’s own Mr. Ed Salinas giving the students a brief introduction to Devcon Philippines, and its goals for the Android Code Camp. He was followed by Software Engineer Rei Flores from KLab Cyscorpions Studio 2, who took the opportunity to introduce the company’s latest project, Beta Realm. A web service that caters to app developers’ crowdsourced testing needs, Beta Realm also offers beta testers the chance to make a little extra cash by trying out the new apps featured on the site.

Now on to Code Camp! The lecture was presided over by Ms. Jamie Rose Aguinaldo, a web and mobile applications developer from Pixelhub Creative, who began her talk with a quick introduction to Android. Soon thereafter the students became enthusiastically engaged as they were asked to begin a series of exercises using Android Studio. The first task, to create a simple user interface button (demonstrated by Ms Jamie before the exercise), was achieved successfully, and with minimum fuss, to the delight of the Android newbies.

The first activity was soon followed by a midday-long brainstorming session, as the next - and final - exercise required the students to form groups and create a simple application from scratch using the Android platform before day’s end.

Most of the afternoon was then spent in quiet panic and hectic code writing, with Ms Jamie hovering over the proceedings and constantly giving the students helpful tips. When the signal was finally given for the activity to halt, some of the attendees had actually managed to develop a functioning app within the short time frame, though most got stuck in the developmental stages. One group in particular managed to create a decent detection game, and were awarded some cool prizes for their effort.

Photo credits: Cathy Lodestar

The day ended with grateful smiles on everyone’s faces: the attendees for having learned something invaluable, and the Devcon organizers for having shared indispensable knowledge with the young IT students. While the student-attendees still have a long ways to go in efficiently using the Android programming language, the Android Code Camp has definitely set them on the path to becoming future Android code wizards, thanks to a successful collaboration by Devcon and KLab Cyscorpions that resulted in one productive day of learning.  

[cyscorpions]

New Cyscorpion on the Block

An organization gets a shot in the arm every time there is an infusion of youth and talent. When 23 year-old Jerome chose to apply here at Cyscorpions, it was because of the company’s mission, “A World of CYS-smiles”, which, made quite an impression on him and still resonates a few months after he was hired. What hit home with him was how the company values its employees and stakeholders.

Jerome is a product of the pioneer class of the Far Eastern University Information Technology with specialization in Animation and Game Development course. He gets to use what he learned in school and then you add the knowledge gained by being mentored by colleagues and managers who’ve been at it in this industry for a long time, and Jerome has all the tools and the recipe to be successful in his chosen field. Asked to give us a little background on why he chose to follow that path, Jerome shared, “I am really interested in how games were developed. Even when I was younger, while playing video games, I tried to understand the logic behind the gameplay and how and why things in games happen, which is why I think I tend to stick to playing a specific game longer than others normally would, considering the lifespan of games. Then as I read about the course description, I felt that this path would allow me to be able to understand and fulfill what I am interested in.”

According to Jerome, after I asked him what have you learned in school that you can use here at Cyscorpions, “ I believe that everything we were able to learn while we were still studying in school contributes greatly to our workplace in the future. Even with our failures, we can learn something from it. Do not be afraid to fail, but do not do it on purpose as well. And for me, the most helpful things that school has taught me are not the technical aspects of my field but it is the self-realization that came from learning, that even in failure, we must continue to have the initiative to learn and to strive for success. Because nothing will work unless we ourselves work.” Well said young man.

This Cyscorpion neophyte likes what he’s doing and when you like what you’re doing, no amount of work related stress or anxiety can stop you from accomplishing your tasks. You focus better and you’re more determined to get it done.

Jerome is very fortunate because not a lot of people can say they’re using knowledge gained from the process of earning a degree in their line of work. He has gotten himself a career in an industry that’s on the rise and we fervently hope he stays around for a very long time.

On his first few months in the company this is what he had to say, “Working is not supposed to be always fun, a lot of times it is even the other way around. When you are able to have the job you aspire for in the field of information technology, come and share your talents with KLab.” A role in one of our future recruitment videos beckons for this dude.

And what did Jerome like most about KLab after his first few months? “What I like most about KLab in the first few months of my stay is the warm reception from the company's employees. It is not even only from other members of the studio I am in, but even from the other employees like my "shuttle mates" or the members of the Klub Circles I am in. It may not mean that much for other people but for a person who is initially very shy towards others, the warm reception I have experienced so far is greatly appreciated,” said Jerome.

Asked whether he sees a bright  future with KLab, Jerome said, “In five years’ time, I see myself as being able to do what my superiors are able to do, and be assigned bigger projects which entail greater responsibility, as well as find ways to be more efficient in completing tasks. Also, come up with ways to improve my competence level and that of my co-workers in the long run.”

Quoting Confucius, Jerome’s favorite saying is, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Jerome has made his choice, and it looks like he plans to never work a day again.

[cyscorpions]

“A Home Away From Home”

The KLab Cyscorpions Dorm Inauguration

Every nation’s greatest asset is its people, every company’s greatest asset is its employees. January 15, 2016 will go down in the company’s eight and a half-year history as one of its most, if not the most important day after almost nine years of doing business here in the Philippines. It was on this date that the Klab Cyscorpions Employee Dormitory was formally introduced to Philippine society.

It was a sunny Friday morning when the company had hopefully one of its many coming out parties, and when I say coming out I mean coming out to set an example for other employers to emulate and follow. With the inauguration of its exclusive dormitory, the company showed that there are still employers around who show their consideration, compassion and appreciation for the hard work put in by its employees.

The event was graced by distinguished guests of Honor in the persons of Hon. Atty. Darlene Berberabe, President and CEO of Pag-Ibig Fund, KLab Inc. President and CEO Tetsuya Sanada, KLab Cyscorpions President and CEO Taro Noguchi, high ranking local officials from the Makati City and Taguig City governments and members of top management from PULS (Philippine Urban Living Solutions) led by its CEO, Mark Koojiman.

The program started with a welcome address from Mr. Sanada followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony,  and then had notable speeches particularly from the main Guest of Honor, Atty. Darlene Berberabe. The representatives of Hon. Mayors Romulo Pena and Lani Cayetano of Makati City and Taguig City, respectively, were also given an opportunity to speak. Last but not the least, PULS CEO Mark Koojiman gave a brief background of how the whole project came about.

According to Mr. Sanada, “In the IT industry, dedicated and skilled people are the most valuable assets. Without the creativity and effort of our members, KLab Cyscorpions would not be where it is today.” Mr. Sanada continues, “The opening of the dormitory project is not the end, but the beginning. We continue to believe that investing in our employees’ happiness is an investment in the company’s successful future. We are grateful for this opportunity to give something back to our employees, an affordable and convenient place they can call their second home - the MyTown London dormitory.”

Mr. Noguchi in his speech said, “This dormitory project has been a long-time vision in the making. The conceptualizing, planning, setting things in motion, cooperation with our partners and overcoming the biggest hurdles and ironing out the smallest bumps...in short, it was a task that was easier said than done.”

PULS came in and presented their proposal for the My Town London dormitory, then a lot of back and forth negotiations took place, and the rest, as they say, is history.

But one single thought made us push even harder, and carried us the entire way...that it would be worth it.

To promote work-life balance, to improve the quality of life of our employees, the KLab Cyscorpions dormitory project is but the first step. The idea behind this project and other similar projects that will follow is simple and sound: Our people take good care of us, so we take good care of our people.”

Management’s thinking was reciprocal, repaying the hard work and effort of its employees. The relationship between management and the rank-and-file employees was enhanced, reinforced and strengthened by this undertaking, and hopefully, it will reap dividends for everyone. The five-storey 96 bed facility will serve as a halfway house for employees who live far north and far south of Taguig City. Travel time to and from the dormitory will reportedly be around 15-20 minutes, which is a luxury for the employees who’ll be staying in the dorm, compared to travelling hours and hours from the far reaching areas of the metro.

Employees spend about 4-10% of their salary to pay for rent depending on the size and capacity of the room. This gives them a sense of accountability and responsibility.

The idea of a halfway house for the hardworking employees of KLab Cyscorpions was born two years ago. Top management led by Mr. Noguchi, was trying to figure out a way to not have to stop operations whenever inclement weather or the worsening traffic situation affected the major thoroughfares in and around Metro Manila, making it difficult for the employees to come to work.

The event was hosted by the lovely and irrepressible DJ Karen Bordador, and friends and colleagues from print, TV, radio and online - Business and Leisure hosted by Ray "Butch" Gamboa, PTV Network's "Good Morning Boss" with Diane Medina, and "Kasangga Mo ang Langit" hosted by Rey and JR Langit, to name a few - covered the inauguration, giving it quality exposure.

It deserved exposure because no other IT company has offered this benefit for its employees. The employee dormitory only adds to the number of benefits an employee of KLab Cyscorpions receives, and this is only the beginning. It was a CSR project in its purest form. 

“The dorm provides me with a work life balance that I have never had before,” shared AM, one of the dorm’s new residents. “The two hours that it used to take me to get to work can now be used for exercise. It has freed me from worrying how to get home during the rainy season.” Darwin, another lucky resident, also had this to say about his new ‘home’, “The dorm has allowed me to save more instead of spending a lot of my hard earned money to commute on the way home. Staying at the dorm gives me more time to sleep and rest and it has lessened my travel time going to work.”

Just moved in - the visibly happy KLab Cyscorpions employees

[cyscorpions]

Table Top Kommunity: Cool To Be “Old School”

In this day and age, every form of entertainment imaginable has gone the way of electronic media - e-books and e-comics, your favorite movies and TV series readily available for ‘streaming’ in any digital format, and of course, social gaming. Street games like ‘tumbang preso’, board games, tabletop RPG (Role-Playing Games), and trading card games - all these took a step back after video game consoles and online gaming became the norm.

So it came as a pleasant surprise to discover that some members of the next generation decided to go ‘retro’ by engaging in tabletop games. What’s more unusual, this unlikely group of professional youngsters actually develops mobile games and apps for a living.

The newest social club to be established within the company, KLab Cyscorpions’ Table Top Kommunity Klub, was officially founded mid-2015, and currently has 16 members. “We actually have some non-members who regularly join our gaming sessions, so the number is flexible.” explained Chase, co-founder and current head of the Table Top Kommunity Klub.

Who had the idea for establishing the Table Top Kommunity?

“It was just a natural development when a group of gamers came together to play card games actually,” said Chase, “The group actually existed even before the official ‘Klub’ was founded. We played games pre- and post-office hours, breaks, even on weekends.”

“Well, I think it all started with a group of book lovers that got influenced in playing Magic: The Gathering by Miguel,” Klub Member Rion added, “They sat by a bunch of us (the whole 3D department, actually) who were playing the board game Resistance during one lunch break. The two groups thought about forming a club that could mix all of our interests together. Books, board games, Magic: The Gathering, etc. The rest, as they say, is history.”

What is the Table Top Kommunity about?

“We're the club for table-top games - so we’re mostly into board games and card games,” Chase shared, “Because we're geeks we naturally have an appreciation for comics, art and movies so we have some spirited discussions regarding those also.”

Being in a company that creates digital games, how did such an ‘old school’ social gaming idea come about?

Chase said, “The credit doesn't go to one person but actually to most members here. When people play games and others see them having fun, isn't it the case that they want to play also? The group started from that desire for not just fun games but also intellectual discussions on various aspects of the games we play - from game design, card game deck building, price speculation, and so forth.”

Klub member Hal added, “The Klub was originally supposed to be a book-reading club. we thought of using Klub funds to buy books, then lend them out to our members. It turned out that more than a few people in this company were interested in playing card games and so it turned from a book club to a card club. And then we thought, ‘Why not include other tabletop games, instead of just Magic: The Gathering?’"

What activities could a new member look forward to, as part of the Klub?

“Our club is focused on card games for the most part - our biggest group here plays Magic: The Gathering daily during lunch and break time. We also have a smaller group that plays Force of Will and board games. New members can join to play those games with us, and we can teach them the rules in case they want to start but don't have any cards yet.

Actually not everyone here is fully invested in the hobby - some of our players just play casually, while some are more focused on the investment and trading aspect (because the cards have actual monetary value). So we have room for all sorts of players. I think what's important is passion and mutual interest in these games and subcultures.”

Could you give us a few interesting highlights regarding the formation of this new Klub?

“With regard to highlights, well, one thing does come to mind - our name. Hahaha. What can I say? The first Table Top Kommunity acronym we thought up would have been funny to use, but also very inappropriate! Hahaha!” Chase joked.

“We played Resistance one time, a game of spies. The best part here is the way we root out the spies in the most ridiculous ways. We use logic, throw it out the window, and then use what's left to form accusations. It was good fun all around, though we kind of stressed ourselves out by the end of the night,”

“But what I loved best about that game was the bonding of the members,” Rion recalled, “Because it's a team game, you get to chat a lot with other players, and challenge yourselves to create a strategy. Awesome icebreaker especially for shy individuals.”

What unique benefits do the young members get from the Klub’s activities, as opposed to playing digital games, your generation’s most favorite pastime?

Chase enthused, “It's not just playing the game that's fun - it's the whole preparation step before the game that can be more fun, if not more. We have this inclination to be so passionate about our hobby that we discuss strategies and review the events of past games in an effort to beat the other guy. We keep each other on our toes because we can count on our opponents coming back with something new on the table. We analyze the game mechanics so much that we get insights on game design that can help us in our work. The intellectual discussions are enriching.”

Any prerequisites for becoming a member?

“No prerequisites whatsoever, though it would be best if you already have an interest in board or card games, or other geekery.” said Chase.

Rion added, “Basta interested in learning the games. Kahit hindi lahat (As long as you’re interested in learning the games, and not necessarily all of them). Interaction is the key.”

“Yeah! Yung willing to have fun, tapos walang pretenses (Anyone willing to have fun, and no pretenses). We go all in.” Chase agreed.

What games are the most often played by Table Top Kommunity members? And why?

Chase shared, “Magic: The Gathering is #1 here, followed by Resistance. Then we have some Force of Will players. For the board games, we play a vast array of these so it changes every month.”

“Magic or MTG, because it's easy to get into, and the games are fast. Resistance because lying and trying to find out who the liars are is so much fun. Also, volatile magic card prices keep us up at night.” Klub member Hal added.

Would you consider accepting a greenhorn with absolutely zero game experience? You’d have to teach him from the ground up.

Hal answered, “We're definitely open to this. We all started as beginners when someone else taught us how to play what we're playing. It's only right that we teach those who are interested in joining.”

Klub member Rei enthusiastically replied, “Definitely! We have resident board game coaches that are on par with those you meet in Board Game cafes.”

“Yep, this is totally fine. We had some players here who literally started with, ‘I want to play but I have no cards’, and our members lent them cards for a deck. Now they play with us regularly. We'll accept anyone. I think it's just how we are, when we find out that there's another person who shares the same interests as we do. It's exciting.” added Chase.

Let everyone know what's cool about the Table Top Kommunity

“As you can see, what's cool about our members is that we don't take ourselves too seriously. We're willing to talk smack to each other and it's all good,” Chase reiterated, “At the end of the day, we know that at least one guy wins and one guy loses in a game, and we accept either of those roles willingly. We know that the difference between victory and defeat can just be one card, and it wouldn't have been our fault if we failed to get it. Luck of the draw, as some would say.”

It was nice to spend a colorful afternoon with this brilliant bunch of spirited, down-to-earth youngsters. It’s interesting to observe during our chat that they’ve obviously picked up some indispensable life lessons from their tabletop hobby - camaraderie, strategy, patience, audacity, and humility, to name a few. More importantly, they also learned how to have fun.

The members of the Table Top Kommunity has, as a result of their shared passions, managed to plant one foot firmly in the future, while leaving one foot in the past. Just goes to show how much those ‘retro’ board games mirror real life when sometimes to move forward, you’ve got to take a few spaces back.