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Since I am a student currently studying game design in BCFE, I had hoped to enter Dare to be digital along with two other teams from my class. However, a fellow student receievd an email this morning from a dare representative stating that no team from the republic will be competing due to funding being removed.
Can anyone on the boards please shed some light on the subject?
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I’ll have more info after the Dare meeting re: ROI and NI teams on Wednesday, but it looks like the rumour you have heard is true
The comp in both NI and ROI was funded for two years by the respective sponsors. The comp in ROI started a year before the NI one and the sponsorship was not renewed. Despite an intensive search by the Digital Hub folks, no new sponsor could be found in time and it looks like they have switched their efforts to finding someone for next year’s competition instead.
I’ll post more on Thurs/Fri of this week after the meeting
The NI competition is still going ahead as planned AFAIK. The competition both North and South was due to be launched over the next few weeks
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Intel, Microsoft, Sony Ireland?…surely these guys could cough up some cash
:evil:
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seems also that the midlands entrants has been cancelled. :evil:
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It’s greatly unfortunate for university students if these teams are withdrawn. Many graduates have used the competition to give them the experience necessary to land the job that started their careers. It’ll be a kick in the teeth to the future of Irish game development. I’m not too surprised about the Midlands. As far as I know, they never had many applicants.
Dare appeared to be quite successful with hopes of expansion. Does this move reflect the possibility of the competition becoming exclusive to Scotland again?
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Myself and Sideshow are on the same team concerned here and it was quite a shock this aftertnoon to learn of the news, quite a shock and one has to wonder also would they have had the decency to tell us if someone had not asked. Looking at the sums of money it would cost to see us through one has to question the actual motivation of the Digital hub theses days, afterall all their “let’s put Irish Dev on the Map” talk in previous events you would think they would have alittle more faith in the current generation. Quite disheartning to learn that your talents aren’t worth 5-10k to some people, and I can say that there is some great quality in this years HND course, pity it’s not going to be seen…
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I hope the teams still continue with the projects as it will be useful experience and good to show future employers.
This really sucks though, I feel sorry for this years entrants :(
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Why dont each uni fund their teams? 2-3k is nothing to a uni. Also good publicity and possibilty of forge long term relationships with games companies who might actually hire these guys.
I agree with ivan, keep the demos under development, come september there’ll be more spots opening in games companies for eager grads.
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Already had that question answered unfortunately, uni’s funding teams would effectively be that uni buying their team’s place in the final. Remeber there’s only 1 place for the south of Irealand and one for the north, with multiple teams competing for each place
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Already had that question answered unfortunately, uni’s funding teams would effectively be that uni buying their team’s place in the final. Remeber there’s only 1 place for the south of Irealand and one for the north, with multiple teams competing for each place[/quote:d54c1cfac5]
Another problem may be a team with entrants from more than one university. It seems odd that a solution can’t be agreed on. Northern Ireland should be simple enough. All it would require is an agreement with QUB and UU to fund their participants. Unfortunately the south is a little more difficult because of the number of universities and IT colleges. -
the competition isn’t limited to games courses, you’d be ecluded entrants from other colleges
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the competition isn’t limited to games courses, you’d be ecluded entrants from other colleges[/quote:4ea6d98441]
That’s the point I’m making about the south, but I just noticed it could affect the north. Exceptions were made in Northern Ireland to allow students from NWIFHE to participate. So that would mean you’d need every FHE in NI on board. It’ll only become slightly feasible after the mergers go through. -
That would only work ronny for team members in the team who are enrolled at those universitys. what about other 3rd level students?? so far from what iv seen QUB and UU have not set up any solid games courses. The dare competition seems to be getting ruined by funders, not only the fact that this year there will be no irish entrants, but also the dominant shadow of EA hanging over the competition to turn it completly into a recruitment farm
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Well, we’ll keep at the projects obviously, and IGF might be a possibilty but fomr a young developers standpoint this isn’t really a show of good faith in the current Irish Games deelopment industry. I seem to remember being in the Digital hub last year for the Dare press conference, was all that talk of greatness and pushing the Irish companies just hyperbole?
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*double post sorry
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I’m sure there will be a full press announcement in the very near future, but I would think that the dropping of dare is connected with the rumours that the digital hub is experiencing a drop in funding and/or sponsorship at the moment. Much as I want (and I feel need) to take part in Dare to get my career going straight from graduation, I also work in the hub with some of the local kids, and have worked with the DLLI in the past. If something did have to go, much as it screws me personally, I’m glad they didn’t choose to drop their work with kids of the area.
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I’m glad they didn’t choose to drop their work with kids of the area.[/quote:be3b04b4f7]
I suppose thats true, afterall the likely hood is that the current generation(us) are only lab rats for future partipants in Dare and indeed the HND or any other games course.
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Exactly, and take a look at the class that we have, if dare does ultimately fall through for us we have the makings of a start up there. TIGF in autumn is our next target, but this time a sizeable team and not just 5 of us :)
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Well wouldn’t it be next Autumn, following? as I hear you have to have applications in sometime early Jan isn’t it? although I could be mistaken.
If any big shots are reading this, throw us a bone =) -
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Wow…thats a kick in the teeth.
Have to say that the midlands getting cancelled is an even bigger shock though. Prof. Ian Marshall, who now lectures in Coventry I think ( midlands anyway ) is the father of Dare. As much as Abertay gets the praise, he deserves just as much. It was his moving down south than got the midlands into Dare I would assume.Hard luck to those hoping to enter this. Perhaps you can band together to petition a sponsor for next year.
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Just to be clear, folks – its only the Republic leg of the competition that is in doubt this year. The Northern leg is funded and is still going ahead
While Dare not going ahead in the Republic this year is a blow its not the end of the world, the Irish games industry or anything else (nor, for that matter, is one or two companies going under, btw – c’est la vie)
The Digital Hub, to echo Daves’ comments, have been nothing short of fantastic to the Irish games industry. You should also bear in mind that they do not fund any projects directly, but get sponsors on board for the various programmes, etc. on a per project/period basis. As Nifty pointed out, I think they made the right decision, priorities wise
There had, at one point in the not too distant past, been talk of the Dare comp being made a Scotland exclusive again. In which case, I (on behalf of IGDA Ireland), the orangisers in the North (NESTA and Belfast City Council) and the South (the Liberties Learning Initiative of the Digital Hub) had agreed to work together to come up with a home grown alternative. As it happens this wasn’t required. This latest development is a set back to be sure, but as some of you have already pointed out there are alternatives. We’ll have to see what we can do for next year
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In the future, they will no doubt continue to be involved with upcoming IGDA and GD.ie events. To question the motivations of any of the people who are there is both ridiculous and insulting at every level.[/quote:9741fa890e]
Quite frankly Idora I’m entitled to my opinion, and as for questioning them? yes. It may not seem like a big deal to you( someone who may or may not have his foot already in the door) but even the chance of a sniff at Dare is worth more than any HND, it’s the chance to show what your made of and possibly get some developer insight and advice. The fact that it’s now only 4 weeks before interviews and finidng out our leg has been removed is irratating. I have no doubt the Hub works hard in areas of ‘more’ concern, and good for them too.
(1) to make money and then (2) make decent games (…and not express faith in enthusiastic young developers). [/quote:9741fa890e]
If your looking at this from a finacial point of View then your not making any sense, becuase not investing in the current generation of ‘young developers’ will only lead to nowhere. No one coming up the ladder only tightens the noose at the top.
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In the future, they will no doubt continue to be involved with upcoming IGDA and GD.ie events. To question the motivations of any of the people who are there is both ridiculous and insulting at every level.[/quote:06c36eff56]
Quite frankly Idora I’m entitled to my opinion, and as for questioning them? yes. It may not seem like a big deal to you( someone who may or may not have his foot already in the door) but even the chance of a sniff at Dare is worth more than any HND, it’s the chance to show what your made of and possibly get some developer insight and advice. The fact that it’s now only 4 weeks before interviews and finidng out our leg has been removed is irratating. I have no doubt the Hub works hard in areas of ‘more’ concern, and good for them too.
[/quote:06c36eff56]
pretty hot headed stuff here. anyway why should dare be the only opportunity for you to get insight from developers, alot give their insight for free pick up a magazine, internet, on this forum!. if you want ur foot in the door you dont need to do dare, get up off your arse and form an open source group who develop and publish online. Even start a thread here to recruit people for your teams. Then take this knowledge and experience and present it to future employers along with your c.v. they will take notice. Also quit the bitching..
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i gotta agree with peter_b here, sure the timing of it may suck but it’s not the end of the world.
try emailing your cv off to a few companies and see if they’ll give ya a few weeks placement to get a taste of what the industry is like and gain some experience working with a professional dev team, i know torc have take people like this before, it’ll look good on a cv too
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Sound advice.
I think many people see Dare as handing them something on a plate, the people who have been noticed from the Dare competition deserved their recognition, they earned it and to be honest even without the competition I would bet that those same people would of made it on their own. Dare was never intended to be a golden ticket, thinking otherwise is foolish.
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Dare is a great opportunity for artists and programmers, but you’re not going to get very far if you’re completely banking on that to make your career. It’s an additional bonus that you may achieve if you work hard at everything else. I don’t think it’s fair to attack the Digital Hub. Let’s not confuse opinions with inaccurate nonsense. Now, there’s really no reason to turn this thread into a argument. You’re obviously annoyed – come back when you’ve calmed down.
Idora’s point of a Irish-based competition is quite interesting. I don’t see why it couldn’t excel alongside Dare to be Digital. There’s a lot of students in Ireland who are unable to travel to Dundee. Obviously it was scrapped after the matter was sorted out, but I think it may be something to consider now the Republic may not compete.
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In the future, they will no doubt continue to be involved with upcoming IGDA and GD.ie events. To question the motivations of any of the people who are there is both ridiculous and insulting at every level.[/quote:de85c5d17c]Quite frankly Idora I’m entitled to my opinion,[/quote:de85c5d17c]
Actually, that was me who said that, not Tony.but even the chance of a sniff at Dare is worth more than any HND, it’s the chance to show what your made of and possibly get some developer insight and advice. [/quote:de85c5d17c]
I very much accept that it is a huge and untimely loss for people who have most likely already put vast amounts of effort into the competition. It is very unfortunate that the event isnt getting the go ahead, but that is no justification for suggesting that some of the most dedicated promoters of the industry in Ireland have ‘questionable motivation’. They wouldnt have done anything at any point if they didnt believe in what they were doing.Fair enough, sure we’ll all just pack our bags so and bugger off to England…
[/quote:de85c5d17c]
It’s what a lot of people have done,Dave
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You all give sound advice, and its well noted. I’m not trying to draw anyone into an argument here, last thing I want. I think it’s time to draw my own conclusions and make a choice. Peter_b, sorry for bitching if thats how you see it…
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I didn’t think you were bitching…It’s easy to misinterpret stuff in written form.
Good luck with the rest of the projects lads.
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yes that is a real shame about Dare, especially as some colleges now incorporate it into their assessments.
Having said that, many people have entered the industry without Dare so there is a lot to be said for personal motivation and getting those portfolios up and running based on assignments, projects and mods etc.
If the Hub is trying to get funding for next year most people will probaby still be eligible and can enter then.
I also have to echo the sentiments that people have made earlier re the Hub – they have been very supportive in terms of organising games related events – not only industry ones but community and student events too. So they deserve recognition for past successes and help to find new funders for the future.
Finally, the amount of money needed to keep a team for 10 weeks in Scotland and to publicise and run this event is not insignificant and given the profile of existing Irish companies there is a pretty smale pool of potential investors/potential down the road beneficiaries. Tough one for the Hub and the Irish games industry I would say.
Aphra.
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Wow…thats a kick in the teeth.
Have to say that the midlands getting cancelled is an even bigger shock though. Prof. Ian Marshall, who now lectures in Coventry I think ( midlands anyway ) is the father of Dare. As much as Abertay gets the praise, he deserves just as much. It was his moving down south than got the midlands into Dare I would assume[/quote:2419df3a4e]the Midlands team decided a while ago to take a year out. They are planning on participating again next year. Also, no decision has been made yet on whether the foreign scholars will be participating this year or not.Shortly before Xmas, a report was published by the main Dare organisers in Abertay assessing the impact of the competition to date and speculating on its future. The upset at the recently announced changes are understandable – but given how successful the competition has become on an international scale in such a short time, its not surprising their would be changes and maybe even growing pains
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Folks, only have a few mins so this will be a quick one. will post more when I have some time…
The good news is that there is a possibility that the Republic leg of the competition WILL be going ahead as planned this year. The Digital Hub, the Norther sponsors and IGDA Ireland met yesterday and mulled over a few possibilities. We should know more next week
On a related subject… The official launch of this year’s Dare comp will be taking place in mid-March. There will be launch events in Derry and Belfast on 13/14th and – assuming our current plans come to fruition – at least one launch event in Republic (Dublin) the same week
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On a related subject… The official launch of this year’s Dare comp will be taking place in mid-March. There will be launch events in Derry and Belfast on 13/14th and – assuming our current plans come to fruition – at least one launch event in Republic (Dublin) the same week[/quote:e7115ec775]
sounds like an excuse for 3 piss ups eh? :P
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Almost there… After a hectic few weeks 90% of this year’s DTBD funding has been sourced. All credit to Michael Hallissey and John Hurley of the Digital Hub for the trojan effort they have put in to secure tyhe funding. We’re now only a hair’s breath away from confirming that the 2006 heat will go ahead in the Republic. There has also been an unprecedented amount of funding attention on next year’s heats
The NI 2006 heats were launched last week in Belfast, Derry & Letterkenny. Judging is currently being arranged for sometime very early in May. Assuming all goes according to plan, there’ll be a scramble to launch the RoI heat
More info as it becomes available
I know some of the teams that were planning on entering had started making other plans.. Here’s hoping it’s not too late
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Good news, folks – Dare to be Digital ’06 in the Republic is offically back on. Closing date for applications is Apr 17th, with judging in Dublin on May 18th
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The NI 2006 heats were launched last week in Belfast, Derry & Letterkenny.[/quote:e7eb462820]
Heh? Hadn’t heard of this – and why is Letterkenny in the NI heat?
Confusing.
Darragh
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because its cross border and teams can be a mix of students from different universities
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i been trying to get some interest going in the contest this year, but i can’t the timing is terrible, both the applications are intreview are at the end of the school, when everyone is way too busy with major projects. i know loads of people that want to enter but they don’t want it to cut in with there degrees.
It was the same problem last year, but i think the timing is even worse this year. The interviews are wek 12, the final week of uni, on thursday. on my course all of our course work has to be in the next day! and i think its the same for most courses. i also think that queens are on the same timetable as jordans town this year (if not a week or so difference).
Its too late this year, but for dare to be more of a success, i think the interviews should be timed better either, earlier or later (but i understand that later might be too late)
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I’ll pass on your feedback, Patrick – you’re not the first person to make that observation!
I guess the problems the organisers have is that if its moved later some students may already be heading off for the Summer. Maybe later is the thing…
How much earlier would it need to be, do you think? I’d appreciate any thoughts from current/recent students on this
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well i was hoping to get things started in the first term, but because it was still up in the air at that stage about Dare going ahead or not, thats was not going to happen.
personally, i think that from the start of feb to the end march would be the right time for it, just before the half way point of the uni courses. Of course its hard to please everyone, but i think the contest is aimed at uni students, and the current timetable does not reflect it.
leaving it later also has the problem of exam time. that not a worry in my course as we are all course work, but i know that other course have more exams, they would start mid may till mid june, i think.
Ideally the ball should be rolling in the first term and then you have after then exams in jan, to get the presentation sorted.
hope this helps
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Its going back a few years, but i think the time scale you’re talking about is pretty similar to how its done in Scotland. Although, these days there is a lot more in the way of marketing it to all the other universities and that takes a lot of time. Its a tricky one…
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Further update from the Dare to be Digital Site: The deadline for the online submission for the republic of Ireland, that is the submission that determines whether or not you make the shortlist for the interview in May, is April 30th.
The site still says 17th on the submission form, but that is for other regions, namely scotland and Northern Ireland. The deadline for each region can be found on the important dates page of the site.
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OOOhhhh…..Torc are offering their engine to participants this year!
New Dare website is improved so much this year. Still not as nice as it was before it got made new.
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OOOhhhh…..Torc are offering their engine to participants this year!
New Dare website is improved so much this year. Still not as nice as it was before it got made new.[/quote:1e71504cdd]
Lucky gits.
Aye the site is a lot better than last year….but then that wouldnt require much :lol: The .ie site is still the same though
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