Dublin GameCraft. What’s it all about?
“We’ve done this five times in different parts of the country. You have a limited amount of time – 12 hours – to make a game. You can work alone or with a team of people. Go crazy.”
What kind of game can you create in 12 hours?
“You’d be surprised. It depends on your software tool and skills. I’ve seen everything: platformers, multi-player games, puzzle games, text games. Loads.”
Does the nature of casual smartphone games let you create a game in less time?
“I think this was possible even before casual games. Game developers always start small. It’s normal to do small things first.”
Are there winners?
“The prizes vary depending on the sponsorship. We get ‘Best Game’, ‘Best Story’, a People’s Choice Award. Everyone who takes part can vote on someone else’s project.”
You’ve had two events so far in 2013: in Belfast and at the Games Fleadh in Thurles. GameCraft is also coming to Derry in September. Can non-developers attend?
“Even if you’re not a developer, if you’re creative you can help with the concept. If you can draw, write, or make music, for example. There are rarely musicians on site. It’s weird because most of the games have no sound effects because there’s no one to make them. I always think, ‘Why don’t they come over?’ Games are a multi-disciplinary form of content creation. You need the technical side of things, but you also need art or a good story. You can make it funny or memorable. I encourage people to come without the skills but with an open mind.”
What’s the main objective of GameCraft?
“To learn how to make prototypes quickly, which is a very hard skill to acquire. And to build our community. Irish game development has grown a lot over the last few years. Slowly but surely we’re starting to get known outside Ireland. It feels like we’re really making a difference.”

Dublin GameCraft 3 takes place on May 18 in Engine Yard, Barrow Street, Dublin. For more info, see dublingamecraft.com