This Viral Horror Game Was Made by a Filipino Developer
What if selling balut (fertilized duck egg) late at night wasn’t just tiring, but also terrifying? That’s the premise of Hapunan, a viral, first-person indie horror game that has captivated thousands of players and streamers worldwide. CaseOh’s playthrough of Hapunan has already earned nearly three million views in three weeks, while Hollow’s walkthrough got over half a million in two weeks. Filipino streamers have also jumped into the trend, as Kristian PH’s gameplay now has 2.9 million views in three weeks. It's taking the gaming world by storm!
Developed by Josef Yenko, who goes by Yikon in the gaming world, Hapunan follows the story of Niko, a hardworking balut vendor who stumbles upon dark—and unfortunately, realistic—secrets while trying to secure a business permit and jumpstart his business.
“Na-inspire akong gawin yung [Hapunan] dahil lagi kong pinapanood yung favorite streamers ko na si CaseOh and xQc. Lagi silang [naglalaro] ng mga nakakatakot na game, and that time I was learning Unity already,” Yikon tells Esquire Philippines. Unity game development software allows developers to create games for a wide range of platforms.
“Almost every indie horror game nabibigyan ng pansin and most of them get high recognition, so I decided na gumawa rin ako ng sarili kong horror game, but this time incorporating Filipino culture,” he adds.
Yikon developed the game with a “Potato PC,” or an underperforming computer with barely the minimum required specs.
The Balut Vendor: Hapunan’s Humble Protagonist
Interestingly, Hapunan didn’t start with a balut vendor as its main character. While he was developing the game, Yikon was struggling to come up with what his game’s main protagonist should be.
Then, while having a family bike ride bonding with his father, they came across a balut vendor, which sparked an idea. "Sabi ng tatay ko, gawin ko raw balut vendor yung player sa game. Sobrang ganda nung idea dahil kuhang-kuha talaga yung Pinoy culture, and balut is well-known,” Yikon reveals.
This spontaneous decision turned out to be a stroke of genius. Balut vendors are an iconic part of Filipino street life, but their struggles are rarely highlighted in mainstream media, let alone in video games. With his choice of a protagonist, the story ultimately became more grounded and relatable. Unlike typical horror game characters—detectives, paranormal investigators, or ghost hunters—Niko is just an ordinary kid trying to help his family make ends meet.
Hapunan’s realism goes beyond the main character as the rest of the game’s scenery and vibe encapsulate many Filipino's daily life. From the get-go, the player wakes up in a small house made of plywood and yero (galvanized iron sheet), as their mom calls them to eat tuyo (dried fish) for dinner. As you explore the house further, you’ll find the iconic Orocan dish cabinet, blue plastic water jug with dispenser, tabo (dipper) next to the cover-less toilet, and plenty more “Easter eggs” that define a typical Filipino home.
“Pinili ko yung mga bagay na relatable sa mga Pilipino—mga kalsada sa gabi, tindahan. Maglalagay pa nga sana ako ng nag-iinuman sa kalsada eh kaso solo indie developer lang ako and first game ko pa lang ‘to. Tapos sa mga dialogue naman, I captured kung paano talaga magsalita ang mga Pilipino. Sinama ko rin yung barangay, yung riles, at mga iba pang bagay na makikita mo talaga sa Pilipinas,” Yikon adds.
Screenshot from the horror game Hapunan
Yikon’s Journey in Building Hapunan
Developing a game on your own is challenging enough, but doing it on outdated hardware? For Yikon, this was the real-life horror he had to face when he was creating Hapunan. He developed the game with a “Potato PC,” or an underperforming computer with barely the minimum required specs, especially for CPU-intensive programs such as video games, coding, developing, etc.
“Isa sa pinakamahirap talaga [na challenge] is gumawa ng game with ‘Potato PC.’ Ilang beses na rin akong mag-quit sa project ko dahil sa laptop ko. Kapag gumagawa ako ng game, laging nagka-crash yung Unity Game Engine, kaya [Hapunan] is sobrang low graphics because ‘di kaya ng system ko,” Yikon laments.
Yikon had to develop his game using the lowest possible settings, only increasing the graphics settings right before exporting. His setup’s limitations forced him to be resourceful, revealing that he created 3D models directly with Unity instead of industry-standard software like Blender. This unconventional approach was borne out of necessity, but it also helped him sharpen his programming skills which he has been developing since 2016.
This challenge also drives the young developer forward as he hopes to earn enough money to buy himself a higher-quality laptop so he can continue developing video games. And while the experience was tough, Yikon said that it was worth it. After all, his determination seems to be paying off already.
Yikon (top left) with family, some faces you might recognize from his game.
How Hapunan Became a Viral Horror Hit
Released in December 2024, the 40-minute game has been downloaded over 100,000 times on itch.io (and will soon be available on Steam) as of writing. When asked about how he feels about reaching this milestone, Yikon gushes at the surreal feeling, saying: “Hindi ko ine-expect na maraming maglalaro at mage-enjoy ng game. Nakakataba ng puso makita yung mga reaction ng tao sa game. And sobrang natuwa talaga ako nung nakita ko live si CaseOh nilalaro yung game ko, dahil yung dating pinapanood ko lang ay ngayon na-feature na yung game ko sa stream [channel] niya.”
But what made Hapunan stand out in a sea of indie horror games? For Yikon, the game’s story steeped in Filipino culture made it relatable to a lot of Filipinos, plus the humble protagonist who sells balut. Another thing that quickly caught people’s attention was the “Madona” jumpscare—that one scene responsible for most streamers’ horrified video thumbnails.
“Ni-recommend yata ‘to ng mga tao dahil gusto nila makita yung mga reaction kapag nagugulat kay Madona. Malaking tulong din talaga yung content creators na naglaro nito, lalo na si Murushii—isang content creator and game developer din—na nilaro yung game and natulungan ma-recognize yung Hapunan dahil nag-blow up yung TikTok [video] niya nung nagulat siya kay Madona,” Josef explains.
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Despite the viral jumpscares, Hapunan packs horror that isn’t reliant on shock value. Yikon reveals that when he developed the game, he wanted slow-building tension rather than the obvious, creating scenes where you know something horrific is going to happen but you’re not quite sure when. Plus, unlike many horror games set in fictional haunted houses or abandoned asylums, Hapunan thrives on the eeriness of real-life, everyday situations. The game taps into a fear that many could relate to—being alone at night, surrounded by darkness and shadows, and stumbling upon things better left undiscovered. Yikon's approach makes the horror feel personal, building a dread that feels even more immersive.
What also sets Hapunan apart is its ability to weave suspense and action with emotional depth. It’s not just about scaring players with jumpscares; it’s about making them feel invested in the story and the protagonist’s struggles. This connection makes the horror feel more impactful, as players aren’t just trying to escape or survive—they’re fighting for something bigger.
What’s Next for Yikon?
Following Hapunan’s success, Yikon has no plans of slowing down. He reveals that he’s already working on a series called “Gabi ng Lagim,” a series featuring Filipino superstitions and folklore.
“I have plenty of upcoming projects related din sa mga Pinoy, mga superstition, kasabihan ng mga matatanda, kwentong kakatakutan. And for Hapunan, Episode 2 is ipagpapatuloy kong i-develop. Excited na’ko dahil marami na naman akong naisip na story that will give players chills,” Yikon ends.
