‘1711 Ireland: A Witch’s Fate’ brings the Islandmagee witch trials to life through immersive gameplay and academic research
Ahead of it global launch in Salem, Massachusetts on Hallowe’en, Ulster University is set to unveil a chilling new video game experience that reimagines one of Ireland’s most haunting historical episodes. 1711 Ireland: A Witch’s Fate, launching at Studio Ulster’s CoSTAR Lab on Friday 10 October, is the world’s first video game based on a real Irish witch trial – the infamous 1711 Islandmagee case in County Antrim.
Developed by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Andrew Sneddon, Senior Lecturer in International History, and Dr Victoria McCollum, Senior Lecturer in Cinematic Arts, the game is rooted in rigorous academic research and powered by immersive technology. The wider development team includes game designers and researchers Brian Coyle and Sabrina Minter. The game itself invites players to step into the shoes of an 18th-century investigator navigating evidence, fear and superstition in a society gripped by paranoia.
Dr Andrew Sneddon, Senior Lecturer in International History at Ulster University, said:
“This project allowed me to move beyond writing about Ireland’s witch trials and work hands-on with game developers to not just tell people about Irish witchcraft, but to show them.”
A new way to engage with history
The game offers a choice-driven narrative where every decision alters the course of the trial and the player’s place in history. Featuring cinematic cutscenes, a brooding score using 18th-century folk instruments, and dozens of complex characters based on real trial records, 1711 Ireland is a slow-burning, ethically complex experience that challenges players to confront belief, justice and power.
Dr Victoria McCollum, Senior Lecturer in Cinematic Arts, said:
“A chilling blend of fact and fiction, this is horror storytelling with a conscience – deeply human, ethically charged and rooted in real history.”
Players can explore the trial through multiple modes of engagement, including:
The game also features a unique ‘Believability Meter’ that tracks players’ shifting perspectives and unlocks different endings, offering a deeply personal and reflective journey through historical trauma.
Launch events and global reach
The Northern Ireland launch took place at Studio Ulster’s CoSTAR Lab in Belfast. A global release will follow on 31 October via Steam, with a special showcase in Salem, Massachusetts, a location synonymous with witch trials and folklore.
A version of the game is currently being exhibited at Carrickfergus Museum as part of the Islandmagee Witches Digital and Creative Project, offering museum audiences a chance to experience its chilling narrative firsthand.
Sync NI's Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance. Read the Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here.
