Games Toaster

GAA PS2 game: retailer - ‘Sept-2005’

The high street and online retailer ‘Game’ is now stating on their site that the ‘Gaelic Football’ computer game for the PlayStation 2 is set for release in ‘Sept-2005’.

As reported in July, at the time Smyths Toys were displaying an in-store release of August, while ‘Game’ also had this month as the release. At that point the game’s publisher, Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland, told Games Toaster they had “nothing further to report”, this has not changed, so there is no official public release date, or month, set for the game. 

GAA game in August - retailers, “We have nothing further to report” - Sony

Early today Games Toaster asked Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland for any fresh information on the GAA computer game for PlayStation 2, 'Gaelic Football 2005'. “Maybe a release date/month this year?” we asked. Sony replied telling us “We have nothing further to report on the game, sorry!”, adding “As soon as we do, you'll be the first to know”.

GAA game delay, normal for games industry

An article in to today’s Sports Friday section of the Irish Times newspaper reports that there is “No sign of” the expected exclusive PlayStation GAA computer game.

The article states that the Australian developer’s website had yesterday said “May” of this year. But Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland boss Niall O’Hanrahan told the IT that “There wont be any announcement for the foreseeable future“.

Adding to any confusion, the developer’s company profile page on their site still states May - “IR Gurus is also developing the officially licensed GAA "Gaelic Football" game exclusively for the PS2 format to be released by Sony Computer Entertainment of Ireland in May 2005”. But developers are not known for maintaining their website, the ‘games’ page has for some time listed “mid-2005” for the release.

In addition, setbacks - from weeks to years - are one of the most common things in the games industry, and dates on web pages without recent timestamps should be considered unreliable. Even fresh release dates should be viewed with prudence.

The Irish Times also points to possible problems with GAA players images being used in the game as the GPA, not the GAA, holds the rights to such and have a deal with Frank McNamee, a former Longford player.

The GAA game is most likely to use IR Gurus’ new game engine for their second Australian football game, AFL Live 2005.

Image from IR Gurus’ original AFL Live, for illustration only.

Related news

• GAA Football Computer Game for 2004 (10/2003)

GAA Football Computer Game for 2004

With a working title ‘Gaelic Football 2004’, as far as we know the first GAA licensed computer game is set for release on the PlayStation2 sometime in the middle of next year.

The gaelic football game is been developed by Australian games developer IR Gurus, and published exclusive for the PS2 by Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland.

IR Gurus’ previous sports titles include three Australian Football League, a bowling and equestrian games. Gaelic Football 2004 is to use their AFL game engine.

“It has always been an objective of SCE Ireland to deliver game content suitable to the Irish market and to satisfy the desires of Irish consumers…” stated Niall O’Hanrahan, MD of SCEI. Continuing he said “We are projecting to have sold 480,000 PS2’s in Ireland by March 2004 and this level of household penetration represents a huge opportunity for this title.”

Mr Sean Kelly, President of the GAA said that the game “…will have huge benefit for the GAA. This brings the GAA into a new technological and promotional era and I am looking forward to its launch next year. We appreciate the efforts of Sony not only in this venture but in other support such as the sponsorship of the Leinster summer camps.”

[Illustration image from IR Gurus’ ‘AFL Live 2004’]

Source: SCEI Press Release

http://ie.playstation.com
http://www.irgurus.com/
http://www.gaa.ie/

Cian Ginty

GAA Football Computer Game for 2004

With a working title ‘Gaelic Football 2004’, as far as we know the first GAA licensed computer game is set for release on the PlayStation2 sometime in the middle of next year.

The gaelic football game is been developed by Australian games developer IR Gurus, and published exclusive for the PS2 by Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland.

IR Gurus’ previous sports titles include three Australian Football League, a bowling and equestrian games. Gaelic Football 2004 is to use their AFL game engine.

“It has always been an objective of SCE Ireland to deliver game content suitable to the Irish market and to satisfy the desires of Irish consumers…” stated Niall O’Hanrahan, MD of SCEI. Continuing he said  “We are projecting to have sold 480,000 PS2’s in Ireland by March 2004 and this level of household penetration represents a huge opportunity for this title.”

Mr Sean Kelly, President of the GAA said that the game “…will have huge benefit for the GAA. This brings the GAA into a new technological and promotional era and I am looking forward to its launch next year. We appreciate the efforts of Sony not only in this venture but in other support such as the sponsorship of the Leinster summer camps.”

[Illustration image from IR Gurus’ ‘AFL Live 2004’]

Source: SCEI Press Release