With our first exclusive interview, I chat with Susan Hubbard and Trisha Wheatley of Puzzle.tv about their upcoming DS title, Spelling Challenges and More!.

Cheng: Can you please introduce yourself to us and tell us your role in the development of Spelling Challenges and More!?

Puzzle.tv: puzzle.tv is an established developer of puzzles and puzzle games across various platforms and in many countries. We developed the very first puzzle game to be approved by Sony US - Puzzle Challenge Crosswords and More published by Crave Entertainment in 2006 for PS2 and PSP. We also developed the very popular Infinite Sudoku game. After Puzzle Challenge, we were looking for another concept to use our expertise with words and we came up with a game based on spelling bees which evolved into Spelling Challenges and More, and which Crave were keen to publish.

Cheng: What goal(s) do you strive to accomplish when releasing this game to the public?

Puzzle.tv: We want to offer games for a wider audience than the traditional gaming market, which tends to cater largely for young males. Spelling bees are familiar to everyone, and it’s easy to have a go at Spelling Challenges without any experience in using the platforms. Having said that, young males will enjoy and benefit from our game too!

Cheng: Since this is a multiplatform title, how does the DS version differ from the Playstation Portable?

Puzzle.tv: In the DS version, words are flashed up briefly for you to then spell out. In the PSP, the words are actually spoken for you to listen and spell. The DS version utilises the stylus to select letters, whereas on the PSP you move around a virtual keyboard. Both versions feature a genial host who introduces the game and explains things, and both have several mini-games to test language expertise in addition to the spelling bee.

Cheng: In your opinion, what demographic is Spelling Challenges and More! appeal towards?

Puzzle.tv: As we’ve said, the game appeals to all ages, men and women, boys and girls. All abilities are catered for too as there are 100 difficulty levels of spelling.

Cheng: Does your distributor have any plans to bring this game overseas to other countries?

Puzzle.tv: Crave is a US distributor only, but we are strongly committed to bringing this game to the whole world!

Cheng: The Nintendo Wii seems to share some of the innovating capabilities of the DS. Have you thought about ever developing a similar game for the console?

Puzzle.tv: We’ve been taking a close look at the Wii and its capabilities.

Cheng: Ubisoft has a similar game in its upcoming lineup called My Word Coach. How does Spelling Challenges and More! differ?

Puzzle.tv: We are aware of the Ubisoft product, but as we’ve not seen it yet (it’s scheduled to come out in the fall) we can’t comment or make comparisons with our game.

Cheng: Last but not least, what have you been playing lately and is there anything game, currently not on the market, that has sparked some interest for you?

Puzzle.tv: We are excited by the rapidly-growing interest in non-traditional gaming and have lots of ideas to feed this appetite.

Cheng: Thank you for the opportunity to chat with you and we bid you good luck.