In the world of gaming, quests often involve dragons, treasures, or battles. But in Handum, the quest is something much closer to home: finding your path after graduation—and staying true to your dream despite the odds.
Created by Raphael Arevalo, France Louis Asejo, Marie Vina Descutido, Erica Distrito, and Vincent Varca, Handum is a 3D role-playing game concept that reimagines the uncertain, emotional journey of life after art school. Inspired by their own experiences as Digital Media Arts students, the team created a game that’s less about fantasy monsters and more about real-world dilemmas—navigating career paths, facing doubt, and figuring out what comes next.
The name Handum, a Visayan word for dream, sets the tone. “Everyone has a dream they want to pursue, regardless of the challenges,” the team shares. “This project is our way of showing that journey, using the tools we know best—game design, storytelling, and a little bit of magic.”
But don’t let the word “dream” fool you into thinking the game is all fluff and feel-good vibes. It’s grounded. Real. And at times, raw. In Handum, players explore four distinct career paths—Animation, Concept Art, 3D Modeling, and Rigging—mirroring the core tracks taught in their own program. It’s a subtle but powerful reminder that the creative industry is not a one-size-fits-all path. Every artist’s journey is different, but they’re all valid. And often, deeply interconnected.
What makes Handum stand out is how it blends 3D and 2D aesthetics to create a world that feels both immersive and deeply personal. The game is full of metaphoric landscapes—obstacles that represent burnout, opportunities hidden behind unlikely doors, and side characters that deliver just the right piece of advice when you’re ready to give up.
“We wanted it to be relatable not just for DMA students,” the group explains, “but for any aspiring artist trying to figure it out.”
And perhaps that’s the most special thing about Handum: it doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. Instead, it says—yes, it’s tough. Yes, the path is uncertain. But if you keep going, if you stay open to advice, if you believe in your voice—then that’s already a victory.
The team hopes Handum will inspire players to think more deeply about their own goals, and to understand that while the creative path may be winding, it’s full of beauty and meaning when you walk it with purpose.
Because in the end, every dream begins with a single choice: to keep moving forward—one goal at a time.