For a long time we told ourselves that the notion of Ireland producing big-budget gaming titles was a myth, deluded even. But I’m becoming less sure that it is impossible. Let’s just say the Games Ireland Gathering 2012 this week revealed a wealth of pent-up ambition. The genie is out of the bottle.

Some 350 games industry professionals crowded a room at GIG 2012 in the Gibson Hotel in Dublin yesterday to attend master classes, demos, workshops, you name it, to put Ireland on the map for video games. In addition, there are understood to be 350 jobs available among the firms that attended yesterday.

Entrepreneurs rubbed shoulders with seasoned professionals from Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, PopCap Games, Demonware, Big Fish Games and Electronic Arts.

Read the full article on SiliconRepublic.com

What’s 10 feet tall, has a shock of red hair and shoots cats out of it’s eyeballs?

We don’t know!! But we expect we’ll find out during Dublin GameCraft, but only if you come and make it!

Here’s how it works:

• You have eight hours to make a game
• We’ll select a theme during breakfast. (we’ll pull one out of a magical sorting hat)
• Work on your own or with a team. You can form a team on the day if you like, but remember you only have 8 hours!
• Use whatever platform or framework you like
• Judges review and vote on the games
• Profit Prizes( this list should grow )

To celebrate your intense burst of creativity, we’ll head off to the pub for a few refreshing pints, where the judges will announce the winners and award prizes.

For more info, visit: Dublin Gamecraft 2012