Company
Blue Ox Family Games, Inc.
Based in Maine, USA
Founded
November 1997
Website
BlueOxFamilyGames.com
Press Contact
Joe Jordan
joe.jordan@blueox.email
Business Contact
Christopher York, CEO
ceo@blueox.email
Address
P.O. Box 135
Caribou, ME 04736
USA
Description
Blue Ox Family Games, Inc. is an independent studio that creates original family-oriented mobile apps and other entertainment products.
History
Beginning as a tech consulting firm in 1997, Blue Ox has flourished since focusing on development of mobile entertainment products, especially smartphone apps, in 2008. Early efforts included Moosentration, a memory game that garnered the firm a partnership with outdoor retailer L.L. Bean; the wide-ranging Trivia Hound compendium; and Moxie, a clever word-building game that continues to have an avid following.
It was the launch of 7 Little Words in May 2011, though, that has fueled the company’s meteoric growth. The game had over 1 million downloads in its first month; was recognized in O, The Oprah Magazine; reached #2 on the U.S. iTunes game app charts; and has continued to find new fans, with more than 6 million downloads in the first year and a half. In addition to iOS, 7 Little Words is now available for Android (both on Google Play and Amazon app stores). 7 Little Words also has a French version, and Spanish puzzles are now available in the flagship app.
Pushing beyond the traditional mobile gaming market, Blue Ox partnered with media syndication leader Universal Uclick to bring the game to print and digital newspapers around the world. 7 Little Words is also featured on Ziosk, a novel Android-powered tablet for casual dining restaurants, and 7 Little Words paperbacks are available from Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Since the launch of 7 Little Words, Blue Ox has grown from a one-man shop to a Maine-based team of 12 developers, content editors, and customer support staff, in addition to an international group of freelance puzzle writers.
Projects
Moxie Classic
Moxie 2
Monkey Wrench
Red Herring
7 Little Words
7 Little Words for Kids
7 Little Words Adventures
Trivia Hound
Moosentration
Downloads
Pictures
Christopher York, Founder and CEO
Awards & Recognition
4 Apps to Help You Play Smarter O, The Oprah Magazine, September 2011, for 7 Little Words
2nd Place, Best Brain and Puzzle Game, Android 2013 Best App Ever Awards, for 7 Little Words
3rd Place, Best Word Game, iOS 2013 Best App Ever Awards, for 7 Little Words
Honorable Mention, Best Educational Game 2011 Best App Ever Awards, for 7 Little Words
The Best iPhone and iPad Apps for Work and Play Five-Star Apps, Glenn Fleishman, Peachpit Press, 2011, for Moxie
Top 20 Word Game Apps Beckett Guide to Phone Apps, 2009, for Moxie
Selected Articles
Monetizing while staying the “Good Guys”: the Tao of Red Herring – Erica Sadun, February 9, 2016
Child's play: Why 7 Little Words dev thinks F2P is a bad fit for kids PocketGamer.biz, January 30, 2013
Aroostook businessman expands company out of home with hit mobile app 7 Little Words Bangor Daily News, May 25, 2012
Blue Ox's puzzler 7 Little Words passes 3 million downloads, Android version generating 40% of its revenue PocketGamer.biz, October 14, 2011
7 Little Words an App Store smash from Aroostook County Bangor Daily News, June 17, 2011
Blue Ox's 7 Little Words hits 1.4 million downloads in just over a month PocketGamer.biz, June 9, 2011
Software developers in Maine cash in on the app phenomenon Mainebiz, March 8, 2010
L.L. Bean tries new lure: an iPhone game Portland Press Herald, July 31, 2009
How six indie game developers teamed up for iPhone promotion PocketGamer.biz, June 12, 2009
Company
Blue Ox Family Games, Inc. is an independent studio that creates original family-oriented mobile apps and other entertainment products.
More Information
Blue Ox Family Games, Inc.
Contact
Inquiries
Christopher York, CEO
ceo@blueox.email
Press
Joe Jordan
jjordan@blueox.email