Follow in Cú Chulainn’s Footsteps in 3D
March 19, 2014
On the 23rd of January, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh officially launched ‘In Cú Chulainn’s Footsteps’ in Croke Park, a new innovative aid designed to engage children in learning while promoting Irish culture and the language at the same time. The video game was designed and created by Irish company Duineacu.
The game, which features hurling at its centre, sees the main character travel through a mystery island solving puzzles and riddles as he goes and encountering famous places and names from the worlds of music, literature, sport and folklore as part of his tasks.
The game is a 3D adventure, driven by mouse clicks or screen taps and a school version is available which is adaptable depending on the needs of teachers.
The game features amongst others Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Clannad, Kíla and Sharon Shannon.
Francisco Blásquez, company owner, spoke at the launch and said “we are really happy that Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh was able to launch this game ‘In Cú Chulainn’s Footsteps’ here in Croke Park today. We are very grateful to all the people who helped us during the project and we are delighted that most of them are here with us today. We are very proud of the game and we are hopeful that there will be a good demand for the game in schools and amongst young people.
Speaking on behalf of Foras na Gaeilge, CEO, Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh said ‘games like this are extremely important in promoting the Irish language among young people and the educational aspect will give it particular importance in the school setting and for young people in the home. I have no doubt that this will greatly enhance language acquisition of pupils. As the language can be changed or the level of language and game material can be adapted to the age of the children, it will be very useful for teachers for a wide range of subjects.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill: “It is heartening to see the Irish language and various other aspects of our rich culture sitting at the heart of this exciting project.
“As a school teacher I am acutely aware of the benefits of modern innovative aids such as these when they are used in the correct way.
“I laud everyone in the project and wish it well and especially congratulate Francisco whose interest and passion for the Irish language and Irish culture is hugely impressive given his Spanish background.”
Duineacu is an Irish company based in County Meath and provides a series of advanced internet technology services and interactive/educational services and games.
Duineacu was founded in 2012 to develop these kinds of games and projects, ICF being the starting point. The company has a background in the development videogames company in Spain with a very successful track record.
In 2005 they were lauded as creators of VCS, a new technology that allows visually impaired people to move around 3D environments as a new way of integration.
Based on this technology, they developed a 3D videogame dubbed in 5 languages with the collaboration of top Spanish celebrities.
The game was supported by ONCE, the big organization in Spain for Blind People. They created as well a videogame called Piopa, in order to detect bullying in schools. The Video intro of this game was also well received.
After this, the company founders decided to create a new game based on the Irish mythology, and focused on Cú Chulainn as one of the most important epic references of Irish Mythology. In 2009 they came to Ireland to start working on the project being launched today.
Company Contact – Francisco Blásquez – 086 7878909
Company Website – www.duineacu.com
