Silvermine Studios

With my post yesterday, that is the end of my blog for now. I'll be discussing my narrative work here next, so stick around for that!
In the meantime, if there is anything you would like to talk about, message me here or on my website 👍
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

FíS Games Summit: 2025 - Silvermine Studios Being well-immersed in the Galway games' scene, there was no way I was missing this event. I had attended previous FíS Games Summits, but.....

Events like FíS, where you can network, exhibit, and pitch, are great opportunities. They're difficult to come by though, so when they're offered for free, they’re a must for any indie dev looking to take their game further.
To learn more, read my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/fis-games-su...

I was not going to miss the FíS Games Summit this year, as its quickly becoming one of Ireland’s best gaming events. Also, as there was an opportunity to pitch and exhibit my game there, I naturally applied.
Why is this relevant?
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#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

SpielFabrique's LaunchPad Programme - Silvermine Studios After I completed the 'Wild Galway Games Incubation' programme, there were still some areas of my games' project: 'Chaos Riders' that I wanted to.....

A group such as SpielFabrique have many connections within the Games’ Industry. Also, in addition to what you’ll learn while being on their programme(s), you get access to the connections they have, which can be invaluable.
To learn more, read my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/spielfabriqu...

I had come across SpielFabrique before, and thought they worth applying to. As such, once I finished the WGGI programme in Galway, I applied for SpielFabrique’s EVA programme.
Why is this relevant?
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#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire @spielfabrique.bsky.social

Dublin Comic Con: March 2025 - Silvermine Studios Earlier this year, a former lecturer of mine posted into my university Discord channel that Dublin Comic Con (DCC) were taking applications for.....

It depends on the state of your game, but if it is playable, why not show it off? These days, you can’t start marketing early enough, so places like DCC are great to start with.
To learn more, read my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/dublin-comic...
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

Had a college lecturer of mine not posted about Dublin Comic Con (DCC) in our college Discord, I would have missed DCC this year entirely. Luckily, however, I had seen his post, and so I applied for an exhibition spot with my game: Chaos Riders.
Why is this relevant?
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Priming Grant: Part Two - Silvermine Studios I had been awarded a Priming Grant, but to draw it down, I first needed a company bank account. The correspondences and paperwork for this took.....

Incubation programmes can be great to participate in, as they can offer you the support/guidance you may need with certain aspects of your project/games’ development.
To learn more, read my blog post here:
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire
silverminestudios.ie/priming-gran...

I had applied for the Wild Galway Games’ Incubator, as there were aspects of my game that I needed advice with. While I wasn’t sure beforehand what exactly I would get from this incubator, I was luckily given what I needed from it.
Why was this relevant?
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TAME Grant for Develop: Brighton - Silvermine Studios Through IMIRT and Ardán, I had heard of Develop: Brighton. It seemed to be a well regarded gaming event, where the likelihood you could.....

Within the Games’ Industry (but it applies elsewhere), networking is incredibly important. This is the case, as contacts can lead you to new discoveries, resources, or other contacts that can push your game/project further.
To learn more, read my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/tame-grant-f...

I was told Develop: Brighton was an event worth going to, and that the LEO’s TAME Grant could help me in covering the costs associated with it. As such, I thought I would apply for both and see what happens.
Why was this relevant?
(Continued in second post)
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

Priming Grant: Part Two - Silvermine Studios I had been awarded a Priming Grant, but to draw it down, I first needed a company bank account. The correspondences and paperwork for this took.....

While earning a grant is great, much of the work involved comes after its achievement. For example, this work comprises work for the game/project itself, as well as what's required to draw-down/receive the grant.
To learn more, read my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/priming-gran...

I had earned a Priming Grant, but earning it was only half the journey. As such, the second half had now begun. This was the drawing-down of the grant, as well as completion of the work associated with it.
Why is this relevant?
(Continued in second post)
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

Priming Grant: Part One - Silvermine Studios After completing 'New Frontiers: Phase 2', it was time to start the professional development of our game: 'Chaos Riders'. To do this I required funding....

If you are looking to set up your business/company, you don't have to immediately. Instead, you can wait for when it makes the most sense.
I had to set mine up for the Priming Grant, as it required that I have a business.
To learn more, visit my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/priming-gran...

I held off on the official business set-up for as long as I could, but with LEO Priming Grant applications opening again, it was time to undertake both the business set-up, as well as the grant application.
Why is this relevant?
(Continued in second post)
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

Gamescom: 2023 - Silvermine Studios Shortly after the Galway Film Fleadh event, Ardán announced they were taking applications for sponsored trips to Gamescom. While I was.....

To learn how Gamescom and events like this work (in terms of making contacts and creating meetings) is important, as its at events like these where you can establish publishing, marketing, etc, relationships.
To learn more, visit my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/gamescom-2023/

Being taken to Gamescom was great. I had never been before, so to be sponsored for Gamescom by Ardán was a huge opportunity.
Why was this relevant?
(Continued in second post)
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

Ardán and the Galway Film Fleadh event - Silvermine Studios After 'New Frontiers: Phase 2', I wanted to network further with the Games' Industry here in Ireland. Around this time, I saw (via Facebook) that Ardán....

Connections within any industry are important. For example, they can clue you into opportunities that you wouldn’t have known of, or can assist/help you when its needed the most.
To learn more, visit my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/pitching-at-...
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

Once I completed the New Frontiers: Phase 2 programme, I took the advice of my programme peer and sought-out connections within the Irish Games’ Industry. This led me to Ardán, which began a whole new journey for me.
Why was this relevant?
(Continued in second post)

New Frontiers: Phase 2 - Silvermine Studios Shortly after the New Frontiers' bootcamp, I applied for the Phase 2 programme. The Phase 2 programme is a paid, six-month, programme. Given my...

Programmes such as New Frontiers: Phase 2 provide its participants with grant-funding/stipends. This can give you the financial freedom you need to explore your business idea (at least for the programme's duration).
To learn more, visit my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/new-frontier...

After I submitted my New Frontiers: Phase 2 application, I was asked for an interview. While exciting, there was a lot I would need to do in a short-period of time, if I wanted to be accepted.
Why is this relevant?
#gamedev #indiedev #indiegamedev #freelance #workforhire

New Frontiers: Phase 1 Bootcamp - Silvermine Studios While working in the games' industry as a Games Writer & Designer, I wanted to brush up on what I had learnt with.....

Why was this relevant?
With this Bootcamp, I got a crash course on everything I had learned to date. Also by attending, I got a direct track to their New Frontiers: Phase 2 application process.
To learn more, visit my blog post:
silverminestudios.ie/new-frontier...
#indiedev #freelance #workforhire

Shortly after the SYOB programme, I had gotten a job in the Games’ Industry. While it was great to get industry experience, I was still interested in the New Frontiers: Phase 2 programme. As such, I decided to enrol in New Frontiers’ Phase 1 Bootcamp, as a means to get there.

LEO: Start Your Own Business Programme - Silvermine Studios After I submitted my application for the Local Enterprise Office's 'Start Your Own Business' (SYOB) programme, I was.....

It is important to establish yourself with such an organisation (if you continue to interact with them), as this can go on to benefit your journey with your game/product later.
To learn more, visit my blog post:
silverminestudios.ie/start-your-o...
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

After New Frontiers: Phase 1, my journey continued with the Local Enterprise Office’s (LEO) Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programme.
Why was this relevant?
With the SYOB programme, I learned more about games’ development as a business, and I established myself with the LEO......

New Frontiers: Phase 1 - Silvermine Studios I applied for the 'New Frontiers: Phase 1 programme' shortly after completing my....

Why was this relevant?
This programme gave me insights into starting a business, conducting market research, and selling a product. It was also the first building-block of my 'CV’ for future applications.
To learn more, visit my blog post here:
silverminestudios.ie/new-frontier...

My journey officially begun with New Frontiers, an Irish, national, entrepreneurial programme. Here, I explored the business opportunity of my game: Chaos Riders.
#gamedev #indiedev #indiegamedev #freelance #workforhire

Silvermine Studios A new Games Dev/Creative Media service provider studio, based in Cork, Ireland.

That covered, I hope you enjoy these blog posts, as well as my Narrative/World-Design work. Also, should you need Application Writing, Narrative/World-Design, Editing, or Pitch/Presentation Creation services, send me a message or visit: silverminestudios.ie
#gamedev #indiedev #freelance #workforhire

In these posts, I will also mention how my company, Silvermine Studios, can provide freelancing and consultation services to prospective games' developers, Indie developers/studios, and Double-A studios. So, with regards to these portions of my blog posts, you've been warned 😅

Hello 👋 I will be sharing here my blog articles. These cover my time in the Games' Industry, as well as the programmes, events and grants I've joined/earned as an Indie Game Developer. In addition to this, I will share my narrative/world-design work for our game: Chaos Riders.