Continuing one’sstudy in Informatics Engineering will complete someone’s skill sets to become a technopreneur. At least this was felt by Edwin Viriya, an alumnus of the Informatics Engineering Study Program of Parahyangan Catholic University.
Eldwin has always liked drawing since he was little. Since junior high school, Eldwin started becoming attracted to computers and the ability of its software programs that enable him to support his drawing hobby. When he graduated from high school, Graphic Design was a choice of major that he thought was very interesting, but in the end Eldwin decided to opt for Informatics engineering. “I was accepted in a visual communication design department in Singapore, but on second thoughts, Informatics Engineering seemed very interesting to me. So I decided to choose Informatics engineering.” Added Eldwin.
Enrolled as an Informatics Engineering student of UNPAR in 2007, Eldwin began his university years, “it started out different. whereas previously I had used a program to draw, then I had to use a program to make another program. As time passed, I started to get the hang of it and used the computer to create programs rather than drawing.” he said cheerfully. My study at Informatics Engineering of UNPAR was fun, he added. Interesting learning combined with challenging activities from the student association made him spend his years at university in fun and useful ways.
After graduation, Eldwin decided to establish a game developer company called Own Games. Initially Own Games was staffed by only Eldwin himself. “I heard from a friend that making a browser game can make money. So during my spare time I started to make games. Luckily the skill sets are there. I can draw, and I can also make a program.” Said Eldwin while showing “Take Jump” the very first game he made after graduation. As time passed, the games made by Eldwin have grown more complex. He then asked his younger brother who was still in high school to learn and to make programs and games. Own Games started to grow, numerous awards nationally and internationally like INAICTA and App Campus Award were achieved.
“The journey of OWN Games was filled with fortune. If had not taken that Informatics major, Own Games may never have been established. If initially there were no third parties like Nokia that were very helpful, we may never have reached the 5 million downloads like today. So I’m grateful that we are in our current position”, answered Eldrin when asked about the most memorable moment in creating Own Games.” Our gratitude was channelled to our constant desire to learn. Starting last year Own Games re-learned the Smartphone game business which is markedly different than the feature phone business we have already experienced. These new things we learn will be manifested in our newest game due to appear March this year, the SOMEMON or Social Media Monster“, he added.
By: Elwidn Viriya & Pascal Alfadian Nugoho
