AlphaJax makes Xbox LIVE leap

An award-winning Windows Phone game will shortly become the first Kiwi game in its category to make the leap to Xbox LIVE.

AlphaJax, developed by Ponsonby-based Marker Metro, is a free word game that was released as a launch app for the Windows Phone in 2010.

Since then it has won the award for best mobile app at the Onya Awards in 2011, including being a finalist in the Microsoft New Zealand Partner Awards the same year.

The game will now take the next big step and launch to the Xbox LIVE, where it will enjoy all the benefits of the platform including achievements, leaderboards and in-game avatars.

According to the game’s website, AlphaJax’s move to Xbox LIVE is a result of meticulous testing and a strong desire to make a quality game.

“Most recently we’re proud to have worked through the rigorous testing and quality processes involved in taking a game onto the Xbox LIVE platform. We’re proud of the results and hope you enjoy playing the game as much as we do."

A post to the Metro Marker blog by chief executive Keith Patton sums up the success of AlphaJax and the company; especially in a country like New Zealand where the gaming culture is limited, to say the least.

“AlphaJax is the first Xbox LIVE titles to be developed by a Kiwi company for Windows Phone, and Marker Metro is proud to be one of the few companies able to meet Microsoft’s stringent quality requirements.”

Although no official date has yet been given, head over to the Marker Metro website for the latest news, and support New Zealand ‘s contributions to gaming.