Students honour PAC-MAN during Games Fleadh
Students will honour the thirtieth anniversary of PAC-MAN during games programming festival, Games Fleadh, at Tipperary Institute, Thurles, 10th & 11th March. Teams from universities, colleges and schools have created their own versions of the classic game, which will be judged by games industry professionals during the two-day computer games programming celebration. Games Fleadh, Ireland’s largest computer & console games programming festival, is a focal point for creativity in this important innovation sector. Events at the festival bring budding game developers face to face with influential industry figures, allowing them to showcase talent, discuss industry trends and learn more about what it takes to be successful in this competitive environment. Micheal Meagher, Academic Engagement Manager, Microsoft Ireland said “Microsoft values academic achievement and Games Fleadh is an occasion where we can see what students are capable of in the games design space”. Mr. Meagher went on to say “we are delighted to support and be associated with Games Fleadh and look forward to reviewing student portfolios”
Games Fleadh includes games programming competitions: XNA Ireland Challenge Colleges and Schools Cup, Robocode Ireland, SchoolBots Challenge and a number of fun gaming tournaments.
Philip Bourke, founder of Games Fleadh and Programme Chair, Degree in Computing Games Design and Development, Tipperary Institute, said, “I feel strongly that students need portfolio development opportunities. This is where their coursework dovetails with Games Fleadh and the Fleadh has created an annual - industry endorsed – portfolio event, on their doorstep”. Each challenge contestant received a starter kit which is a single player, single level and single life sample of Namco Bandai’s PAC-MAN coded in XNA Game Studio. Contestants then created three newly imagined levels for the game. The teams who devise the most innovative and fun PAC-MAN inspired experiences are in line for the challenge cup. Barry O’Neill, President, Namco Bandai Networks Europe, said “PAC-MAN has achieved iconic status globally over the past 30 years and has influenced many generations of game developers. We are delighted that so many students will honour this heritage and we look forward to seeing their individual takes on the classic PAC-MAN format”.
As technology users become more sophisticated and the systems they interact with become more complex, computer interaction needs to evolve and become a far richer and immersive experience. This requires skilled designers and developers who can create sophisticated but naturally elegant user and gamer experiences. Game designers and developers are at the leading edge in creating this interaction technology. Microsoft recently announced Project Natal, a controller-free gaming and entertainment experience. Project Natal, a combination of advanced software technology and a 3D camera, allows gamers to become the controller by enabling advanced gesture recognition, facial recognition, and voice recognition. Game designers have the freedom to devise games and game-play - releasing gamers from the couch by requiring them to use their entire body for game control, not just their hands and digits.
One of the games due to be exhibited at this year’s Games Fleadh is Poltergeist PAC-MAN. The game, created by students of Tipperary Institute’s, Games Design and Development degree, allows gamers to play PAC-MAN using only their thoughts and brainwaves. This is exactly the type of innovation games industry judges are seeking in potential employees.
Mr. Bourke also said, “Games Fleadh is a catalyst for new ideas and networks. These students are inventing the jobs that will employ our kids. . Games Fleadh contestants are the creators of games we’ll be playing into the future”.
Games Fleadh will be attended by representatives from Microsoft Game Studios, PopCap Games International, DemonWare and Jolt Online. These professionals will be sharing their experience with students during GamePro Talks, thus creating another opportunity for students to hear from leading industry professionals.
Please direct Games Fleadh queries to:
Philip Bourke
ICT Programme Specialist
ICT Department
Tipperary Institute
Nenagh Road
Thurles
Co. Tipperary
IRELAND
Direct Dial: +353 - 504 – 28258
email: pbourke@tippsoc.ie
