DexIQ Updated!

DexIQ Ver 1.1 (screen 2)

DexIQ 1.1 Screenshot

While the Spicy Pony team is hard at work on their new concept (Crooked House) they’ve found time to update their first release, DexIQ. The original DexIQ presented a unique challenge among iPhone games: Two games played simultaneously and geared towards challenging both your IQ and your dexterity.

The updated version improves the existing test/games and adds a whole new DexIQ challenge – new games in a new test package. These screenshots I’ve uploaded to my flickr account will show you some of the new games. But you’ve got to try it to ‘get it’ – trust me when I say you’ve never played a challenge game like this.

Hit these links:
DexIQ Home
DexIQ on App Store

How’s Your DexIQ?

Peter Ha over at App Club has posted a DexIQ challenge:

It’s a relatively simple game that tests both dexterity and IQ – hence the name DexIQ. It’s a fun little game that only costs $0.99. Despite the graphics, the game is challenging as can be. It makes my brain hurt. That, or, I’m still feeling the effects of this past weekend.

I challenge you, Techland reader, to download the game and post your scores. I’ll beat you. I’ll beat all of you. If I don’t then I’ll send you some free stuff (Blu-ray movies, Xbox 360 games, etc.).

Head over to check out the full blurb. And be sure to hit these links:

DexIQ (Website)
DexIQ (iTunes Link)

Off the Map in China

Off The Map in China

Off the Map in China

Gamasutra has posted an interview by Christian Nutt with your truly. It begins with…

Famous for his work with id Software and on EA-published cult classic Alice, American McGee set up shop in Shanghai, China, in 2007 with his new studio, Spicy Horse. Though the company’s first game, Grimm, for the GameTap digital service didn’t make a big splash, McGee maintains that developing the game was instrumental in setting up a tightly-run and efficient organization in China, one which has helped him reexamine the very process of developing games.

In fact, McGee suggests that most of what developers know about working in China is wrong. He suggests that process can lead to a crunch-free environment and great quality games — his team is currently working on a sequel to Alice for EA, for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Says McGee, “EA has talked about trying to figure out how it is we’re doing what we’re doing, because clearly they’re looking at what we’re doing and they’re seeing us hit all the milestones and come in ahead of time, and come in high quality, and everything that they could ask for from a development team. [But] I don’t know if you could export it.”

Christian and I go on to talk about life and work in China, cultural and development impacts on starting and running a studio in Shanghai, and more. You can read the full article here.

Also, if you’re interested in some of the thinking that originally inspired me to move to China, I suggest you check out “Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic” The book examines how American culture has become obsessed with consumption – and how it’s destroying people’s ability to be happy with themselves and what they have.