[In this Intel-sponsored feature article, the Austin-based independent developer Tandem Games explains the optimization and development support that they received from being part of the Intel Software Partner Program.]

Play with the Whole World

A philosophy of including the biggest possible audience led Tandem Games to optimize for Intel Graphics and server architectures with the aid of the Intel Software Partner Program. You can follow their lead.

Tandem Games, located in Austin Texas, specializes in making games that cater to the broadest audience possible.

In fact, Co-Founder Aaron Murray named the company for the idea of being able to play games with a one-year-old on his lap, an idea reflected in the company's logo, which he describes as "a little guy giving a big guy the high five."

At the 2008 Game Developers' conference in Austin, Tandem and Intel exchanged a figurative high five when Tandem's game Crunch Time won the Best Game on Intel Graphics award in the Intel Game Demo Contest.

Crunch Time is a freely downloadable game that enlists players to help root out and eliminate corrupt data and bugs from a fictional multiplayer online game, aided by the characters Pixel and Vega.

Another Tandem game, Domain of Heroes, is a browser-based MMORPG that lets you explore a fantasy world collecting loot while defending one of three warring factions trying to wrest control from the others.

To expand the user base of both these games, Tandem made excellent use of its membership in the Intel Software Partner Program, taking advantage of tips, tricks, and best practices, as well as marketing opportunities like being featured in the Intel booth at GDC.