Indie games are the heart and soul of the video game industry. Created by small teams and solo developers, they are responsible for some of the most creative, innovative, and memorable stories across the entire medium.
And as a nation of storytellers, it's only fitting that Irish indie developers receive the support and recognition they need to develop their ideas and compete on the world stage.
IndieDev is a new pilot programme aimed at supporting indie game developers across Ireland. Announced earlier this year, it invited developers to apply for funding, mentorship, and support to bring promising projects to the next level. Now, seven successful teams from across Ireland have been announced for 2024.
Three teams have been selected from Northern Ireland and four from the Republic of Ireland. They'll each receive £15,000 / €15,000 in funding and undergo two weeks of ideation and prototyping. This will be followed by twelve weeks of workshops and mentorship, culminating in seven game prototypes.
Speaking of the programme, the CEO of IMIRT, Colm Larkin, said:
"The huge number of applicants from all over the island of Ireland for this initiative tells us how needed it is. Supporting our local talent is key as we work towards Ireland becoming an international game development hub.".
As an all-island scheme, the programme is set to connect with the Northern Ireland Screen Pixel Mill-based programme in Belfast, and Ardán and IMIRT events and workshops in Galway and Dublin.
One of the most exciting parts of IndieDev is the wide range of planned prototypes, each promising something fresh and unique. From action adventure to cosy puzzle platformers, Irish mythology to sci-fi mysteries, a wide variety of genres and themes will now be supported by the fund.
1/5 ... Seven "IndieDev 2024: Cross-Border Games Prototype Fund" teams announced! 🌟💚🎮
— Ardán (@ardan_ie) August 8, 2024
The teams - 3 from Northern Ireland & 4 from the Rep. of Ireland - will receive funding of £15k €15k & take part in a 12-week programme of workshops & mentorship.https://t.co/VpYFagJ757 pic.twitter.com/Eg55rt6SIN
Below is a taste of what we can expect, along with a background of each successful development team:
Banbha Productions: 'Wings of Balance'
Wings of Balance is an episodic fantasy action-adventure delving into a world inspired by the tales and legends of Irish mythology. With a focus on narrative, the player will dive into a dynamic and immersive story, continuing through a series of chapters, uncovering the origins of a dark power and learning the language and powers of the locals you aid along the way.
The core Banbha Productions team members working on Wings of Balance include Kieran Murphy, Katie McGuire, Dylan Hanly, Dave McLoughlin, and David Cañizares Navarro, with the team based out of Galway.
Comedy Séance: 'Paranormal Platoon'
A pulp tactical action horror set in an alternate WW1, that mixes S.W.A.T. 4, The Mummy (1999) and Kelly's Heroes. The core Comedy Séance team members working on Paranormal Platoon are Veronica McKittrick, Ethan Topping, Kharis Beggs, and Kevin Regan, with the team based out of Down and Antrim.
Digital Dullahan: 'Night Strike'
Night Strike is a third-person character action game where you play as a broke vampire trying to make ends meet. Fight off hordes of the night and make it look flashy for the camera in this comic book-style action game drenched in a 2000s aesthetic. The core Digital Dullahan team working on Night Strike is Najib Magee, Scott Getty, and Morgan Lai, with the team based out of Down.
Dott Studios: 'The Silver Cord'
The Silver Cord is a cosy puzzle 'platformer' adventure where your soul has wound up tied to your favourite doll. Joined by a silver cord, astral project your way through puzzles as you search for a way to undo the spell.
The core Dott Studios team members working on The Silver Cord include Donal McClean, Oisin Corr, Tiernan Gribbin, and Tom Daly, with the team based out of Derry, Antrim, and Kildare.
fogcore: 'Wayside'
In Wayside, following in the footsteps of her missing childhood friend, Étaín returns to the insular hometown she once abandoned - only to find all is not as she remembers. The core fogcore team members working on Wayside are Sara Buckley and Derek Byrne, with the team based out of Dublin.
Margarita Games: 'Ravel the Frays'
Ravel the Frays is a sci-fi mystery visual novel with puzzle mechanics. Presented with all the lines of a conversation out of order, you must put them in the correct order to solve the puzzle.
Solving the puzzle unlocks the ability to watch the visual novel scene play out in full with art and music. The core Margarita Games team members working on Ravel the Frays are Gary Chadwick and Marija Petrova, with the team based out of Limerick and Kilkenny.
Saorspell: ‘Project Raindrop’
Project Raindrop is an impactful narrative-driven adventure RPG punctuated by snappy turn-based combat, potion-brewing mechanics & endearing pixel art. It features a story which highlights themes of societal division, queerness & friendship through sorcery & alchemy.
The player, a trainee alchemist, befriends an ensemble of characters & seeks to protect a young raindrop. The core Saorspell team members working on Project Raindrop are Adam Englishby, Megan Fox, and Jade Wren Folan, with the team based out of Galway.
For more information on IndieDev 2024, you can visit the Ardán website here.
