MaxBeat Philippines brought its niche gaming community into the spotlight at the 2025 Philippine Game Show, showcasing rhythm games, simulators, and puzzles among others.
In a gaming landscape dominated by blockbuster franchises and esports giants, one community is carving out space for the titles growing under the radar..
MaxBeat Philippines, a Philippine-based niche gaming community dedicated to rhythm games, puzzles, other underrated genres, brought its passion to the 2025 Philippine Game Show at the SMX Convention Center Aura.
“We are more focused on outside the mainstream games, tulad ng rhythm games, racing games, puzzle games,” founder and Director Nico Guarte shared.
“We’re also empowering those players in the scene and the majority of the communities behind it,” he added.
The booth features titles that rarely get convention spotlight, including TechMania, a simulator inspired by the old arcade classic DJ Max Technika.
Beyond amplifying lesser-known games, MaxBeat PH underscores the stories of players who found unexpected talent and confidence through niche gaming.
“It empowers a lot of people to believe in other game outside the mainstream. And also for the players to discover hidden talents,” he said.
“Like ‘yung chart maker namin na gumagawa ng custom songs for TechMania is actually a baker.”
The group also sees itself as a bridge—connecting communities, creators, and competitive players who may not have been visible in larger gaming circles.
“We bridge gaps to people in the gaming industry na there’s a very good background for people in terms of how they are inspired—not just in making games, but in playing games, and how they became so competitive,” Guarte explained.
Despite the growth of gaming in the Philippines, the rhythm game community remains a tightly knit and often overlooked space.
But MaxBeat PH is determined to change that narrative.
“Ina-unleash namin ‘yung mga both new and old players. Now we work together, and have those games be known for more generations to come.”
The 2025 Philippine Game Show gave MaxBeat Philippines a platform to highlight its passion for niche games, leaving a mark on both the players and communities often outside the mainstream.