Olga Aughey

A new word game designed for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad has just been launched onto the App store by a local game design company called EyeSeeGames.

The brainchild of game designer Gareth Hanlon, originally from Waterford but now living in Multyfarnham with his family, says with the game called The Hype he aims to reinvent how we play spelling games!

With high aspirations for his new game, Gareth says that while scrabble the market leader, his Hype game adds something entirely new and consequently will appeal to wordsmiths the world over.

"I designed the game over the last year and a half and I drew on my experience as a tutor," says Gareth. "Hype, which uses octagonal lettered discs, can be regarded as the world's first linear multi-directional word game because players have the potential to spell in all of eight different directions," he explains.

"It should appeal to a wide spectrum audience as it is a game that inherently encourages learning through fun," he adds. "Educationally, Hype can assist by improving lateral thinking, word formation and spelling. Hype is played by 1 to 4 players from age 6 upwards. The game can also categorized as dyslexia friendly because it encourages players to recognize the shape and orientation of letters, the building blocks used in word formation."

The game has already caught the attention of Bobby Kerr who spoke very highly of the App at its launch saying he would have no hesitation in recommending all iPhone and iPad owners to visit the App store and download Hype.

Gareth also has other games in the pipeline and it is envisaged that at least one other game will launch in 2011. And it is planned that the 'porting' of Hype to other gaming platforms such as android based phones and games consoles will further increase the availability of Hype to consumers.

Hype is currently available for purchase on the App store, if you want to download it for your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad simply visit the App Store and search for Hype Word Game.

To find out more about the Hype Word Game or where it can be purchased logo onto www.eyeseegames.com.