Following the earlier launch of the Irish chapter of Tale Smiths at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in County Roscommon, the Western Development Commission (WDC) has announced the worldwide release of the full game on Steam, the world’s largest online platform for PC and Mac games.
Developed under the WDC-led N-LITE (Literary Tourism Immersive Technology Acceleration) project, this expanded version brings together stories from across the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) region, offering players around the world the chance to explore Europe’s northern myths and landscapes. Released to coincide with Halloween, Tale Smiths reimagines regional folklore through immersive gameplay that blends heritage, literature and technology.
Now available as a free download on Steam, Tale Smiths allows players to discover the traditions and environments that define some of Europe’s most remote and culturally distinctive areas spanning Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
The launch marks a major milestone for the N-LITE project and for the West of Ireland, positioning the region as a living testbed for creative innovation and international collaboration.
More than fifty creatives including writers, designers, developers and cultural practitioners contributed to Tale Smiths. Each chapter was developed with local communities to ensure authenticity and to showcase the depth of regional heritage. The featured tales include Ireland’s mythic Rathcroghan landscape in Tulsk, Sámi architecture in northern Scandinavia, and the works of Faroese author William Heinesen, together illustrating the diversity of Europe’s northern storytelling traditions.
Ireland’s section focuses on Rathcroghan’s Cave of the Cats (Oweynagat), long described as Ireland’s “Gate to Hell” and a portal to the Otherworld. Players can step inside this legendary site and experience one of Europe’s richest mythological landscapes through immersive gameplay. A complementary on-site installation is also available at the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in County Roscommon.
“Launching Tale Smiths on Steam takes the creativity of the West and the wider NPA region to a global stage,” said Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission. “It shows how culture, storytelling and technology can come together to create new opportunities for innovation, collaboration and growth. Through initiatives like N-LITE, we are ensuring rural regions lead the way in shaping the future of digital creativity.”
Daniel Curley, Manager of Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, added: “The release of Tale Smiths on Steam brings our stories directly to audiences around the world. By combining archaeology, mythology and interactive design, we are connecting ancient heritage with modern players, inspiring curiosity, supporting local economies and keeping these traditions alive in new forms.”
Led by the Western Development Commission in Ireland, N-LITE is funded through the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme. The €1.5 million initiative equips literary tourism SMEs with tools and training in immersive technologies such as interactive storytelling and game-engine visualisation, helping extend the reach of cultural heritage. Alongside Tale Smiths, N-LITE delivers workshops, resources and pilot programmes that promote youth engagement and sustainable development.
By linking partners across Ireland, Finland, Sweden, the Faroe Islands and Norway, the project demonstrates how the Northern Periphery and Arctic region can act as a shared platform for cultural innovation, connecting local stories to global audiences.
Tale Smiths is available now for free worldwide download on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3160560/Tale_Smiths/.
Released to coincide with the Halloween season, the game invites players to explore Ireland’s mythic Otherworld and the origins of Samhain through a new digital lens.
This initiative reflects the WDC’s 2025 to 2029 strategy to position the West of Ireland as the nation’s testbed for innovation where cultural heritage and creativity drive sustainable enterprise, international collaboration and future-facing growth.
