New in the company database of gd.ie, Dublin based game developer, PufferFish Games Ltd, are pleased to announce the release of their first title, PowerGRID, on the app Store.

Inspired by the classic game Bridges, also known as Hashiwokakero, PowerGRID delivers a truly addictive gameplay experience to those players who enjoy a challenging puzzle game which they can pick up and play in less than a minute.

It’s simple! Connect Power Nodes as fast as you can to complete Power Grids in record time… But what’s the catch…?

PowerGRID includes 3 levels of difficulty, 7×7, 9×9 and 11×11, and two game play modes, Free Play and Time Attack, each presenting you with unique Power GRIDs to be complete.

You can share your best times with your friends on Facebook and challenge them to beat your score while also competing with other PowerGRID players around the globe on Openfeint leaderboards.

PowerGRID also includes a game tutorial to cover the basics of PowerGRID, which can be played at any time.

PowerGRID is free to download and comes with a selection of 7×7 and 9×9 GRIDs. And if you enjoy playing, you can upgrade to the complete version from within the game for just 79c.

PowerGRID Complete unlocks the Ultimate 11×11 PowerGRID Challenge and also provides thousands of additional grids for you to solve.

Company Director, Richard Greene says “With 30,000 grids to solve in PowerGRID Complete, we believe that is enough to keep even the most addicted players going for a very long time. But we do plan to release more level packs in the future. We also plan to release a free bonus level which will be awarded to those players who can complete the 11×11 PowerGRID in record time”

PowerGRID is available now as a free download from Apple’s app Store on iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/powergrid/id455573882?mt=8

PowerGRID will be coming soon to the Android Market!

Keep up to date with PufferFish Games announcements at www.pufferfishgames.com/powergrid or follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/powergridapp

Contact PufferFish Games Ltd at
contact@pufferfishgames.com

Games Fleadh 2012 (http://www.gamesfleadh.ie) is scheduled for 14th and 15th March 2012.

The theme for both of the main events:
* DirectX Ireland Challenge
* XNA Game Studio Ireland Challenge

is Chopper Command (c) Activision 1982, 2011.

StarterKits for these events will be available when approved by Activision.

Robocode will also be taking place along with a number of gaming tournaments. Additional events are being planned and will be announced shortly.

Games Fleadh takes place in LIT-Tipperary, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

A new call for applications to the Competitive Start Fund will be launched tomorrow on Wednesday 28th September.

The fund is open to applications from the ICT & Industrial sectors including the following sub-sectors: Internet, Games, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Telecoms, Lifesciences, Cleantech and Industrial Products.

The call close date for applications to this Competitive Start Fund will be 6pm on Wednesday 19th October 2011.

Overview of the Competitive Start Fund

The purpose of the Competitive Start Fund is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies reach their key commercial and technical milestones, for example:

Evaluate overseas market opportunities and reach firm conclusions regarding the viability of the proposed business

Build a prototype

Develop a market entry plan for exploiting international opportunities.

Identify suitable channels to international markets.

Secure third party investment e.g. business angel, Venture Capital

For more on application see http://bit.ly/dZjcdl

[we will have a feature on gd.ie in the next couple of days about this fund – Aphra]

ATOPIC FESTIVAL – 3° EDITION
– Les mondes virtuels font leur cinéma !
– CALL FOR ENTRIES

Machinima is the first genre comes from virtual worlds and video games. Following the two previous editions, the Atopic Festival is the only Machinima Film Festival in Europe.

Hybridization between GameCulture, cinema and video experience, the machinima has successfully developed its own narrative system plus an original aesthetic.

The Atopic Festival Committee will be held in late October to make its selection.

The prices evening will be on Nov. 17th at the Gaité lyrique, Paris, France. : 1st and 2nd Jury Prizes, Audience Award and Student Award.

Submitt your Machinima at Atopic Festival !

Deadline for submission Oct. 3d 2011

1. Filed the submission form and send it at machinima@atopicfestival.com

2. Load your video on http://www.dailymotion.com/group/AtopicFestival2011 or send us a link to watch it online.

the PDF can be download here :
http://www.gameinsociety.com/post/2011/09/19/ATOPIC-FESTIVAL-French-festival-on-Machinimas.-Call-for-entries

Ballyfermot College of Further Education’s Irish School of Animation, are joining forces with multi-award winning animation studio Brown Bag Films to deliver a range of evening courses targeted at specific needs within the animation sector in Ireland.

The evening courses, which are due to start on Monday 3rd October, will run for 10-12 weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7pm. The courses will be designed and delivered by current Brown Bag Films staff members with expertise in each designated area.

The courses being run in conjunction with Brown Bag Films are:

1. Introduction to 3D Animation with MAYA
2. Design for Animation with Adobe Photoshop
3. Introduction to 3D Rigging and Modelling with MAYA,
4. Professional Lighting with MAYA
5. 3D Sculpting with Mudbox

There are still places available on these courses and you can apply up until the 3rd October by emailing night.school@bcfe.cdvec.ie

Gareth Lee, Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) Animation at BCFE, said: “The success and rapid development of the animation industry over the last few years in Ireland has led to very specific staffing requirements for the animation studios. These courses will enable students to add a particular specialism to their current skill set.”

For more information on the range of courses on offer, the application process and course fees see www.bcfe.ie.