SETU students will compete at Games Fleadh 2025, Ireland’s top game development event, on March 5 at Technological University of the Shannon. The competition, themed "Small World," will bring together the brightest minds to showcase creativity and technical expertise.
SETU’s Games Development and Interactive Digital Art and Design students have been working tirelessly to prepare for this prestigious event. Several teams will present their original game titles, demonstrating their expertise in design, programming, and storytelling.
The participating teams and their game projects are:
- Starburst – Ian Perez Bunuel (Games Development, Year 2)
- Buzzz vs The Harvesters – Rob McGregor (Games Development, Year 2)
- Hivebreaker – Leo Bolaks (Games Development, Year 2)
- Ant-topia – Adam Noonan (Software Development, Year 2)
These teams are supported by an exceptional group of programmers, artists, and designers, including:
- Ethan Hislop and Lucy Arthur (Games Development, Year 2) – 3D Gameplay Programmers (C++)
- Riona Kelly (Interactive Digital Art and Design, Year 2) – 2D and 3D Artist
- Elisabeth Sykorova (Interactive Digital Art and Design, Year 2) – Concept Design, 3D Animation and Model Texture Shading
- David Hajek (Interactive Digital Art and Design, Year 2) – 3D Character and Environmental Modeling
- Pavel Dobias (Interactive Digital Art and Design, Year 2) – 3D Model Texture Shading
- Rachel O'Connor (Interactive Digital Art and Design, Year 3) – 2D Character Art and Animation
- Erika Rechtackova (Interactive Digital Art and Design, Year 3) – 2D Environmental Art and Level Design
- Callum Nolan (Design, Year 2) – Music and SFX
- Oliwier Jakubiec (Software Development, Year 2) – Assembly Gameplay Programmer
These students have incorporated cutting-edge technologies such as Assembly, C/C++ programming, Shader programming, and Blender-based 3D art development to create immersive gaming experiences.
Technical excellence with Raylib
A key component of their development process has been the Raylib game development library, a versatile and efficient toolset that supports Linux, Windows, Mac, and Web platforms. Its powerful features allow students to build highly interactive and engaging games with seamless mechanics and captivating visual design.
Awards and recognition
While the final results are yet to be announced, SETU’s teams are strong contenders for several prestigious award categories, including:
- Best Game Built Using a Game Engine
- Best Game Built Using Software Libraries
- Best in User Interface Design
- Best in Game Mechanics
- Best in Game Narrative
- Best in Use of Physics Algorithms
- Best in Use of AI Algorithms
- Best Video Game Trailer
- Best in Game Play
- Best in Original Art Assets
- Best in Sound Design
Industry spotlight: Raylib creator visits Ireland
Adding to the excitement, Ramon Santamaria, the creator of the Raylib Game Development Library, will be in Ireland from March 3 to 7 as part of an Erasmus visit. He will deliver exclusive guest lectures at SETU and attend Games Fleadh 2025, offering students and industry professionals the opportunity to gain valuable insights into 3D Gameplay Programming and game development trends.
His lectures will take place at SETU on:
- Monday, March 3rd: 2.00 – 3.00 PM | Room D417
- Tuesday, March 4th: 1.00 – 2.00 PM | Room C173
- Tuesday, March 4th: 2.00 – 3.00 PM | Room L115
A tradition of excellence
SETU has consistently demonstrated technical excellence, creativity, and teamwork at Games Fleadh. This year’s teams are set to uphold that tradition, showcasing advanced skills in Raylib, C/C++ programming, Blender-based 3D animation, and innovative gameplay mechanics. Their participation underscores the university’s commitment to nurturing future game developers and fostering innovation in the industry.
I'm incredibly proud of our students and their exceptional work in preparation for Games Fleadh 2025. Their creativity, technical skills, and commitment to excellence are evident in every aspect of their games.
Nigel Whyte Head of the Computing Department at SETU Kilkenny Road Campus
Nigel Whyte, Head of the Computing Department at SETU Kilkenny Road Campus, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and the ongoing dedication of the students: "I'm incredibly proud of our students and their exceptional work in preparation for Games Fleadh 2025. Their creativity, technical skills, and commitment to excellence are evident in every aspect of their games. It's great to see Raylib being used in their projects, and I look forward to the opportunity for students to learn from Ray's wealth of experience. We are also excited to welcome Ramon Santamaria to Ireland during his Erasmus visit. His presence and guest lectures will undoubtedly inspire and provide invaluable insights to students and the broader industry."
With innovation, teamwork, and a passion for game development, SETU’s students are poised to make a lasting impression at Games Fleadh 2025, as the next generation of game developers showcase their skills on Ireland’s biggest stage for gaming innovation.