We’re excited to announce that seven teams have been selected for the first IndieDev 2024: Cross-Border Games Prototype Fund! With three projects chosen from Northern Ireland and four from the Republic of Ireland, the teams are based out of counties across the island of Ireland including Kilkenny, Limerick, Down, Kildare, Antrim, Derry, Galway, and Dublin.  

A variety of game prototypes will be explored, including an episodic fantasy action-adventure, a cosy puzzle ‘platformer’ adventure, a sci-fi mystery visual novel with puzzle mechanics, a narrative-driven adventure RPG (role-playing game), a pulp tactical action horror, a third person character action game, and a retro psychological horror mystery. 

“The huge number of applicants from all over the island of Ireland for this initiative tells us how needed it is,” says IMIRT CEO Colm Larkin. “Supporting our local talent is key as we work towards Ireland becoming an international game development hub.” 

The teams will be supported with funding of £15,000 / €15,000. All projects will start with two weeks of ideation and prototyping, and then 10-12 weeks of development, workshops, and mentorship, culminating in seven game prototypes. 

This pilot scheme connects with the Northern Ireland Screen Pixel Mill-based programme in Belfast and Ardán / IMIRT events and workshops in Galway and Dublin. IndieDev 2024 is managed by Ardán and IMIRT on behalf of Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Ireland.  

Find out more about the game development teams and their projects below: 

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’ 

Paranormal Platoon is 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.

IndieDev 2024 is a pilot programme managed by Ardán and IMIRT on behalf of Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Ireland – aimed at supporting indie game developers across the island of Ireland. Please forward questions about the IndieDev programme to john@ardan.ie and press queries to kathryn@ardan.ie  

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