As Ireland's biggest gaming and esports festival, GamerFest offered everyone the chance to meet, compete, and celebrate one of the biggest industries in the world.
As the event continues to level up year after year, here are ten things we learned from 2024's summer edition.
GamerFest Day 1 Highlights 🔥 you all have been awesome at Bringing Gaming to Life! 🎮
— GamerFest Dublin (@GamerFest_ie) May 25, 2024
See you all in Day 2 and we'll compare which is the better day! 😅
Some tickets are still available for Sunday (check out our link in bio and tickets available on the door ✌️) ❤️#GamerFest… pic.twitter.com/899iIUQbvC
1. Irish tech is becoming a game-changer
Accessibility aims to ensure everyone has a level playing field when it comes to enjoying their favourite games. At the forefront of this movement is ByoWave, a Galway company developing revolutionary tech that allows players to build a controller to suit their needs.
The Proteus Controller has over 100 million possible combinations in just one kit. Gamers saw first-hand at their demo stand that no coding or programming experience is needed to assemble or manipulate the controller - simply snap your configurations together and swap pieces to tailor it to your liking. Builds can be shared with other gamers, further opening up collaboration across the entire accessibility space. Exciting times are ahead for this literal game-changer. For more info, visit the ByoWave website here.
2. The esports scene continues to soar
Competitive gaming is a fast-growing industry worldwide. And for the Irish to show up on the world stage, budding talent needs to be nurtured. GamerFest hosted a variety of esports matches over the weekend, with teams competing across both Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 on the main stage.
Impressive production and live commentary rivalled that of any traditional sports broadcast, and fans who couldn't make it to GamerFest were still treated with a front-row seat to the action, live on Twitch.
Another huge draw in the competitive space was seeing whether GAA legends Eamon Fennell and Paddy Andrews could transfer their skills from the physical pitch to the virtual one. They played against a host of content creators and audience members in EA FC24 challenges, all while raising over €3000 and 'give Home Advantage' for the Dublin Simon Community.
3. Irish indie devs are in a league of their own
We're often encouraged to support local Irish businesses whenever we shop. Gaming should be no exception. So, seeing the wealth of talent from the Irish indie scene on display in the RDS was an absolute joy.
A taste of what was seen at Gamerfest included:
Causeway is an upcoming lane-pushing multiplayer game that encourages teamwork and leadership skills. Whether through its 5vs5 or co-op survival mode, matches aim to bring out the best in each player, giving them opportunities to collaborate, strategise and grow as leaders. With unique characters and a focus on values-driven gameplay, expect this to make positive waves with a huge number of online communities upon release. Find out more about Causeway here.
Axyz is a retro gravity-switching game being developed by Space Lion Studios. It challenges players to use the environment and spatial awareness to clear levels within a time limit – all against the backdrop of soothing vaporwave beats. With multiple solutions and collectables scattered across over 100 levels, fans of 90s classics like Kula World can expect great things from this slick puzzler. Find out more about Axyz here.
Scatttergood Studios brought a variety of published and in-development projects to the RDS, including The Gauntlet. This fast-paced game takes you through a series of lethal obstacle courses, challenging you to survive and set the best time possible. Your eyes will constantly dart to the next moving platform or obstacle that's blocking your path. Check out projects from Scattergood Studios here.
4. Student developers brought their A-game
A special mention goes to all the students at GamerFest, who proved that the future of game development in Ireland is in very safe hands. From the point-and-click narrative The Hawkshaw Files to the speedrunning parkour platformer Exclusion Zone: Reclamation, to name but a few, there was no shortage of creativity and ingenuity on display from projects.
Releasing this July, BattleClaws is an arcade elimination game that pits friends against each other to capture points and be the last claw standing. Developed by students Lauren Morgan, Jessie Kelly, Rachel Appleyard, and Thomas West, it is quick, zany and utterly hilarious. It could very well be the perfect party battleground for your next virtual bout with family and friends. Find out more about BattleClaws here.
5. Ireland has become an epicentre for AAA game development
Ever fancied a career in gaming? Industry experts were on hand throughout the weekend, not only to answer questions but also to highlight the incredible work Irish talent is doing on the global stage.
"It is a really compelling time for the games industry in Ireland," says Elaine Reynolds, General Manager of Black Shamrock, a co-development studio based in Dublin.
"Imirt have appointed Colm Larkin as its first CEO thanks to funding from Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann, the game that won Best Game at the BAFTA awards was partly developed by a team in Dublin (Baldur's Gate 3 by Larian Studios) and at Black Shamrock we now have 150 people and are expanding further to work on AAA games with top studios from around the world along with developing our own internal projects."
As part of Virtuos, a global leader in video game content production, Black Shamrock plays a crucial role in bringing some of the biggest games to life. A quick peek at their showreel and you'll be amazed to see just how many of your favourite AAA games can make an Irish contribution.
"For people looking to enter the games industry here or to return from abroad, there is a great variety of companies from super creative indie studios to some of the biggest multinationals setting up a base here," Elaine says.
"I think many people still don't realise the calibre of games being developed in Ireland. To take Black Shamrock, we have previously worked on Grounded, Back 4 Blood, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, The Outer Worlds and Marvel Midnight Suns to name a few."
"We are working on upcoming titles Dune: Awakening, Judas and Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra along with some top-secret titles that we are incredibly excited about. We love seeing the reactions when new people join the studio, and they hear what project they'll be working on!" she adds.
6. Ludosport is everything you need in sport
With the words 'Light saber combat academy' on their display, it's no surprise that Ludosport Ireland was chockful of gamers across the weekend, all vying for a chance to test their battle prowess with one of Sci-Fi's greatest weapons.
Originally created in Milan, Italy, Ludosport boasts a worldwide community of enthusiasts drawn to its unique and original take on combat and camaraderie. Based on different fencing principles, if the Empire ever comes knocking, trust that Ireland will be in no short supply of combatants. Find out more about Ludosport Ireland here.
7. Celebrating the best games and gamers
What's a gaming festival without actually getting to play the games we love? Thankfully, a sea of consoles dotted throughout the main arena gave everyone an opportunity to sit down, grab a controller, and remind us all why we were there in the first place.
For this year's summer edition, Minecraft, EA Sports FC 24, Palworld, Helldivers 2, Call of Duty and W2K24 were some of the biggest draws of the weekend, proving once again the rich diversity found across the industry. No matter what your interest, there was no doubt a screen nearby had something to offer you.
Live stages were home to Fall Guys and Rocket League competitions between audience members and content creators. And Formula 1 racing simulators remained full throughout the weekend, where ambitious ravers competed to set the fastest lap possible for a chance at prizes.
8. There's still something magical about retro
Despite wall-to-wall technology, there's something to be said for celebrating the games that paved the way. No doubt, gamers of a 'certain vintage' loved the nostalgia of the retro zone, where a selection of classic titles like Super Mario Kart and Tekken lay waiting to be re-explored.
The area also proved a great history lesson for younger gamers, who took to the arcade controllers with a mixture of curiosity and determination. Retro vendors dotted around the event ensured everyone could take their favourite piece of gaming history home with them after the weekend closed.
9. Thriving artists, crafters and DnD
Speaking of vendors, let's have a final shoutout to the artists, craftsmen and stores who helped capture the industry's magic through their talents and wares. The artist alley showcased some of the best digital art, figurines, textiles, and high-prized collectibles you could ever want at a convention. They also proved the immense cross-section games have become in the creative sector, where creators from any discipline can get involved in the space.
If you're in Dublin this weekend, come visit us in our tabletop gaming area at #Gamerfest!
— Dakota Irish (@dakotairishIE) May 22, 2024
You can join a D&D game w/ an experienced DM or try out a beginner session if you wanna know what all the hype is about :) We'll also be peddling some lovely wares if you're in the mood.🧐 pic.twitter.com/uHtMxCETZI
Dakota Irish ensured the tabletop area was well stocked with all the dice, tools, and accessories gamers needed to craft their own piece of magic. The DnD (Dungeons & Dragons) area was one of, if not the busiest, places throughout the event and was a constant source of buzz and chatter as gamers created epic stories against the backdrop of cosplayers, competitive gaming, and more.
10. Virtual reality and the future of gaming
Finally, if one thing has become certain at GamerFest, it's that virtual reality has surely become mainstream. There was no shortage of VR headsets dotted throughout the RDS, and players lined up in their droves to enjoy and immerse themselves at Zero Latency.
And it seemed like the line between gaming and the physical world is becoming even more blurred. The Irish Defence Forces, for example, had a stand that demonstrated how technology could be used to train new recruits, including a virtual shooting range and simulation software for driving vehicles.
Altogether, the tech and talent on display at GamerFest was second to none. The event allowed gamers to come together and share their passion. The only question left now is: what sort of new innovations can gamers possibly expect at GamerFest Winter later on this year?
