The first computer game in Irish has been released

This week marked the very special launch of the first computer game translated into Gaeilge - and its just in time for Halloween!

Foras na Gaeilge, the Irish Language promotional body in Ireland, along with Black Market Games were behind the release of An Caife Craosach (Dead Hungry Diner), to the public – ‘Craosach’ being the Irish for ‘ravenous.’ The project was funded through the Scéim Nuálachais or Innovation Scheme.

Playing this game through Irish means that those playing it, whether they are fluent speakers or just learning the language, will be listening and subconsciously picking up the language and the dialect whilst playing. It is initiatives like this that allow the Irish language to keep up to date with technology and provides learning support for the language.

- Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh, chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge

Lee Fallon from the Derry-based games company explained that Dead Hungry Diner was translated to Irish for various reasons:

Eric Reinhart, the only non-Irish team member and co-founder came up with the idea of doing a version as Gaeilge. 

Given that we are an Irish gaming company we thought that a game in Irish would appeal to Irish speaking gamers. We were surprised to hear that it hadn’t been done before and were delighted when Foras na Gaeilge came on board.

The game itself is a fast paced action-puzzler with an unusual approach to restaurant management. 

The player selects one of two animated characters; Gabe or Gabby who are orphan twins from Ravenwood village to serve the restaurant’s rather unique customers. The aim of the game is to seat, serve and satisfy a variety of monsters in as little time as possible. You need to be quick before they get impatient and leave without paying.

Have a look at gameplay below:

We hope that more games as Gaeilge are released in the future. The Irish version of the game is available on disk or by digital download.