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.