Breaking into game development is never easy, especially for indie studios who have limited funding and to those who are just starting out. For Filipino developer Taktyl Studios, showing up at events like PGDX (Philippine GameDev Expo) proved to be one of their the turning point. What started as a simple booth showcase turned into something much more significant: a publishing partnership, industry mentorship, and the birth of a uniquely themed action game titled Excalibur.
Watch our full interview with the creators of Excalibur
The Genesis of Excalibur: Survivor-Like Meets Super Sentai
“Excalibur” belongs to the now-recognized survivor-like genre—fast-paced, rogue-lite games where players battle hordes of enemies, level up, and build strategic skill sets on the fly. Inspired heavily by the viral hit Vampire Survivors, Excalibur adds a distinct and nostalgic twist: it draws from Super Sentai, the Japanese franchise best known in the West through Power Rangers.
In Excalibur, players embody a colorful Ranger taking on episodic stages with escalating monsters, much like a Sentai TV episode. Strategic upgrades, team-based assist mechanics, and full-screen “supers” bring flair and firepower to the battlefield. If you’ve ever enjoyed Maskman or Five Man, you’ll recognize the love letter embedded in every pixel. Monster-of-the-week episodes, ranger call-outs, super attacks, and tag-team moments are all elements that made the genre iconic and Excalibur reimagined it in a rogue-lite gameplay.
It’s a game that encourages replayability and rewards skill. The deeper you go, the more power you unlock. The more you unlock, the closer you get to pulling off team attacks straight out of your childhood Saturday mornings.
Why Mobile? Why Now?
According to the development team, data was at the heart of their decision-making. “People love playing games during transit—while flying, waiting at the doctor’s, even during haircuts,” they explained. Excalibur had to be accessible, action-packed, and perfect for short bursts of fun. It launched in soft beta in Canada and is set to release in the Philippines later this year, with hopes to eventually bring the game to PC via Steam, and potentially consoles, with co-op functionality in mind.
Behind the Studio: Taktyl and the Tito Game DNA
At its core, Taktyl Studios is a data-driven, passion-fueled Filipino game development house. While they work with clients on gamification projects, their heart lies in their independent creations. Their games often carry a distinct “Tito Game” energy—heavily influenced by the 80s and 90s pop culture the team grew up with.
At the helm is James Lo, a founder whose passion has clearly rubbed off on the team. The studio’s process marries market analysis with creative DNA, crafting games that are both marketable and meaningful.
From PGDX to Partnership: The Role of Events and Backnd’s Support
Excalibur may never have happened without PGDX. A chance encounter with Backnd, a Korean game publisher, at the expo changed everything. A Backnd rep stopped by the booth, played their game and was hooked. Months later, the two companies began working together.
The partnership has been collaborative: Taktyl retains creative control, while Backnd provides industry insights, marketing muscle, and guidance informed by hard data. “They allow us creative freedom, but if the data shows something’s not working, they help us pivot,” Taktyl shared.
Looking Ahead: Collaboration, Investment, and What’s Cooking
Excalibur is only the beginning. Taktyl Studios has more games in development, across genres, with that same blend of retro charm and modern mechanics. They’re currently open to collaborations and publishing partnerships, and believe they have a strong portfolio that just needs the right partner to bring it to light.
The journey of the game, Excalibur, is proof that exposure opens doors. Join communities, show up in conventions, share your work, and talk to people. In doing so, you’ll find more than feedback, you’ll find connections, mentors, and possibly, your next big break.
Check out their official website for more info and catch them and their games at Philippine Game Dev Expo (PGDX) 2025
