26: WGE MAG
Ireland’s Bubble Hasn’t Burst
W
hilst Ireland’s economy creaks and quivers due to its recent ill health, the Republic’s gaming community has remained vibrant in the face of financial adversity. Super Fun Play is one of many success stories to come from the Emerald Isle and WGE:MAG spoke with CEO Eoin Rogan about their latest release, Bubble Dreams.
“Ireland has a long history of games development,” Rogan said of an industry which has recently received a Government sponsored incentives based scheme aimed at encouraging more game development.
“It also has a long history of third level education focused on games development. But the industry has always been tiny here. In recent years things have started to change with government finally acknowledging Irelands potential with regards to games and focusing on supporting the industry. Things are finally starting to grow.”
The video games industry is a multi-billion dollar industry around world and it’s clear that Ireland’s politicians are hoping to tap into that market to spark their domestic economy back to life. It’s all positive news as far as Rogan is concerned.
“The outlook with regards to the industry in Ireland is, ironically, more positive today than it’s ever been. For the first time the Irish government has seen the potential for growth in the sector and has committed itself to helping promote games development in the future.
“Games development studios are currently being viewed as a way to help the country out of the economic doldrums. Several, official government studies over the last few years have added weight to this belief. The future seems very bright for the Irish industry right now.”
Whilst the politicians are keen to attract new talent and investment to their shores, there is clearly already an abundance of experience and know-how in situ. Super Fun Play’s staff roster alone has a wealth of industry smarts.
Rogan’s role as CEO also includes the title of Art Director and he has been in the industry for over 19 years, working for such companies in the past as Bullfrog/EA, Acclaim and PopCap. Super Fun Play also have Wayne Imlach heading up design. He’s been in the indutry for over 12 years and has also worked for many top studios in the past, including PopCap and EA.
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