Brett Cawley, second year Software Development Student at IT Sligo, has finished runner to NUI Galway in the XNA Game programming Fleadh competition held in Thurles on 10 March. Paul Powell, lecturer in Software Development commented ‘This was IT Sligo’s first time to enter the competition. Brett performed amazingly well against stiff opposition from ten other teams across the University and IOT sector.’
The judging Panel consisted of industry representatives from Jolt, PopCap, Microsoft, DeamonWare and Gala Games and others intonation gameware companies. All the judges were impressed, not just with Brett’s unique game play and the originality of his game design, but also with the confident presentation of his work. Brett also won a special award for best original artwork.
Brett’s commitment and professionalism both in the preparations and presentation of his game was commended. The game, Ms Pac-Man, a variation of the original Pac Man game (popular with many in the 1980s), was written in C# and XNA software. The programme can be used on both the XBOX and PC.
Paul Powell concludes: ‘Considering that Brett only started to look at XNA in the last few months, his long days and nights have yielded great rewards both for himself and the Institute. Competitions such as the Games Fleadh, organised by Phil Burke of Tipperary Institute, are vitally important for showcasing the abilities of our students and raising the profile of the institute. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neil Gannon our Games M Sc student who put on workshops for students interested in XNA and games programming over the past few months. Video Footage of the event can be found at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/games-fleadh-2010 <http://www.ustream.tv/channel/games-fleadh-2010> and on youttube together with my blog at http://lookitspaul.spaces.live.com/’
Brett Cawley (l) , second year Software Development Student at IT Sligo, who finished runner to NUI Galway in the XNA Game programming Fleadh competition held in Thurles on 10 March with Paul Powell, lecturer in Software Development at IT Sligo.
For further information contact:
Paul Powell,
Lecturer in Computing
Department of Information Systems
IT Sligo