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TUS Athlone Second Year Game Dev Students Take Home 3 Prizes from All Ireland Games Fleadh

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The Games Fleadh showcased exceptional talent, innovation, and technical expertise, with three teams from TUS: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus demonstrating excellence in game development. Their success was a testament to their dedication throughout the semester, as they engaged deeply in their coursework while taking a self-driven approach to development. These students continuously applied the knowledge gained from their “Game Physics and AI” module, integrating key learning outcomes into their projects with enthusiasm and ingenuity.

Best in Game Play – Team Evolution

Winning the Best in Game Play award, Team Evolution displayed a remarkable understanding of player experience and interactive mechanics. Daniel Raducan, Ricarda Prinsloo, and Huong Tran dedicated themselves to game development, ensuring smooth and immersive gameplay. Meanwhile, Kalyn Van Der Nest made significant contributions to both development and artwork, enhancing the game’s aesthetics. Their inquisitive nature and drive to experiment with mechanics enabled them to refine gameplay to a professional standard.

Team: Evolution - Kalyn Van Der Nest, Ricarda Prinsloo, Huong Tran, Daniel Raducan, and John Barrett
Team: Evolution - Kalyn Van Der Nest, Ricarda Prinsloo, Huong Tran, Daniel Raducan, and John Barrett

Best in Use of Physics Algorithms – Moonhaulers

The Moonhaulers team earned recognition for their Best in Use of Physics Algorithms, demonstrating an impressive grasp of physics integration in game environments. Carl Byrne went beyond standard development by incorporating music, adding an extra layer of immersion. Sean Daniel balanced development and artwork, ensuring both technical accuracy and visual appeal. Peter Conroy, Samson Glover, and Sam Mc Aulay were instrumental in implementing robust physics-based mechanics, reflecting their deep engagement with the Game Physics and AI module. Their approach combined problem-solving, experimentation, and innovation to push the boundaries of physics-based gameplay.

Team: Moonhaulers – Peter Conroy, Sam Mc Aulay, Carl Byrne, Samson Glover , and John Barrett.

Best in Game Narrative – Dead Doll Walking

For their Best in Game Narrative award, the Dead Doll Walking team—Eabha Kenny, Jack Pashley, and Jack Tobin—showcased exceptional storytelling skills. Their commitment to development resulted in a compelling and immersive narrative experience. Through self-directed learning and iterative design, they crafted a rich, engaging world, integrating AI-driven storytelling elements learned in their coursework. Their ability to merge technical expertise with creative storytelling set their project apart.

Team: Dead Doll Walking - Jack Tobin, Eabha Kenny, Jack Pashley, and John Barrett

These students demonstrated not only technical proficiency but also an inquiring mindset, constantly exploring new ways to refine and enhance their projects. Their success is a reflection of their dedication throughout the semester, where they embraced challenges with curiosity and a strong self-motivated approach to learning. By leveraging the principles from their Game Physics and AI module, they effectively applied theoretical concepts to real-world game development, proving their capability to innovate, adapt, and excel in the field of VR and gaming.

Their achievements at the Games Fleadh underscore the high standard of talent emerging from TUS: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, and their work serves as an inspiration for future game developers.

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Photos by Ray Keogh

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