The Story of Youtopiaz

Introduction

The gaming industry has evolved beyond simple entertainment, now offering new ways to tell stories, educate, and celebrate culture. While many RPGs focus mainly on fantasy and adventure, some games are starting to connect with real-world places and traditions, creating more meaningful experiences.

The Fallen Realm of Youtopiaz embraces this idea by blending imaginative RPG gameplay with inspiration drawn from Bago City. Although Youtopiaz is a fictional realm, the game also highlights real landmarks and trivia from the city, making it the first of its kind to showcase Bago in an interactive, adventurous way.

Set in a world where ancient legends and fantasy meet, players explore the mystical land of Youtopiaz, uncover hidden missions tied to familiar places, and return to continue their journey. The game is not a historical retelling, but rather an original story that pays tribute to Bago City's culture and charm.

Context of the Study

Our capstone project, The Fallen Realm of Youtopiaz, is a role-playing game that merges fantasy with cultural appreciation. Players are taken on an original journey through the imagined realm of Youtopiaz, while also encountering hidden missions based on real locations from Bago City.

The game tells the story of Youtopiaz, once a thriving and powerful kingdom that collapsed due to its own greed for power. At the center of its downfall was the Trabungko, a legendary artifact of boundless energy that corrupted its king, leading to the realm's ruin. Now, the remnants of this forgotten world lie scattered, waiting to be rediscovered by players.

As part of our BSIS capstone project at Bago City College, The Fallen Realm of Youtopiaz is a collaborative effort led by Bernard Garrucho, with Via Francisco. Although it draws inspiration from the city's landmarks, it remains a work of pure imagination. It offers trivia and nods to real locations like Tan Juan's House, but always within the fantasy framework of the game.

Through interactive gameplay, challenging quests, and immersive storytelling, our project aims to show how games can be used as tools to promote local pride and cultural awareness. By creating an imaginative world that still reflects elements of Bago City, The Fallen Realm of Youtopiaz hopes to spark interest and appreciation for our hometown in a creative and unforgettable way.

Historical Background

The role-playing game (RPG) genre has evolved from tabletop adventures like Dungeons & Dragons in the 1970s to iconic video games such as The Legend of Zelda in the 1980s and Pokémon Emerald in 2004. These games introduced immersive exploration, strategic gameplay, and captivating storytelling, making RPGs one of the most engaging genres in gaming.

Inspired by these classics, The Fallen Realm of Youtopiaz blends traditional RPG mechanics with Filipino mythology and the landscapes of Bago City. While the game does not focus on historical narratives, it integrates the city's geography into its design, featuring key locations and landmarks with signages that provide trivia about Bago.

Players navigate a mystical world influenced by local folklore, encountering mythical beings, solving challenges, and uncovering hidden secrets as they progress in their journey.

Developed in 2024 as part of our capstone project for the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BSIS) program at Bago City College, this game merges entertainment with cultural appreciation. By incorporating elements of Filipino mythology and integrating real-world locations, The Fallen Realm of Youtopiaz offers players an engaging experience that highlights Bago City's beauty in a unique and interactive way.