MindSnacks, the blog!

Are you ready to jump for joy? Our SAT Vocab app now features...

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:41:48 -0700

Are you ready to jump for joy? Our SAT Vocab app now features Pounce, a sentence completion game that teaches contextualization.

Pounce will help you understand not just the literal meaning of a word, but also its proper usage in a given context. More importantly, its game mechanics mimic the multiple choice scenario you’ll face on the SAT: as you try to complete each sentence, a posse of pesky cats will try to confuse you with semantically and visually similar distractors — but watch out because only one of them is the right word!

By practicing with this and the other games in our SAT Vocab app, you can dramatically improve your verbal reasoning skills. (And who wouldn’t want that?)

You can play Pounce by downloading the most recent version of SAT Vocab from iTunes.

Say “Konnichiwa” to our new Japanese app! The app covers all three writing systems used when...

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:19 -0700

Say “Konnichiwa” to our new Japanese app!

The app covers all three writing systems used when learning Japanese (kanji, kana, and romaji) and has an awesome toggle feature that lets you switch between the three as you play our app. We also added a brand new reference section that explains how kana works. Head on over to the App Store to download it now! http://bit.ly/13dgGpy

Our chef Alice nearly brought us to tears with her super yummy...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:14:55 -0700

Our chef Alice nearly brought us to tears with her super yummy chocolate peanut butter cake. Our artists couldn’t resist returning the love.

All ready for GDC?? Check out which sessions MindSnacks is...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:35:00 -0700

All ready for GDC?? Check out which sessions MindSnacks is attending this year.

We’re totally psyched to be going to the annual Game Developers Conference…again (yeah, we’re vets). Here’s a look at some of the sessions that got our engineers off their computers, out of the studio, and into the blistering fluorescent lighting of the Moscone Center:

The Simplest AI Trick in the Book

Game Educators Rant

Network Serializtion in WoW

Low-Level Thinking in High-Level Shading Languages

Experimental Gameplay Workshop

Whose Design is it Anyway?

Ten Principles for Good Level Design

Going to the GDC? Share which sessions you liked the best or would want to attend.

Welcome to a very special tradition over in these parts of town:...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:30:31 -0700

Welcome to a very special tradition over in these parts of town: Meet a MindSnacker. Today, we’re bringing you one of our rockstar engineers, Jacob!

Howdy Jacob! How is your day going so far?

Great, I found a new bike route into work that is much faster.

Biking San Francisco is like an obstacle course, so we congratulate you and your bike on this accomplishment. Next question: everyone needs an awesome animal sidekick, what would you pick?

A capybara.

Whoa, that must be the largest rodent we’ve ever seen! In fact, that is exactly what a capybara is. We understand they make for good pets, too. So, if you could relive any decade, which would you pick and why?

The 640s so I could do everything in my power to prevent the fall of Alexandria.

That is quite ambitious of you. We wish you all the best with your endeavors. But back to the future, what superpower would you like to have?

The ability to hibernate … also time travel. But I guess hibernation is just a form of time travel … so just time travel.

Your superpower of time travel WILL allow you to relive the 640s so you can prevent the fall of Alexandria! Nicely played. Well dear readers, that wraps up today’s edition. Have a happy vernal equinox!

Happy π Day from MindSnacks! We think math is delicious. So...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:11:13 -0700

Happy π Day from MindSnacks!

We think math is delicious. So today, we celebrated 3.14 by learning how to make flaky, buttery pie crust. How delightful!

How lovely of you to join us today! We’re thrilled to introduce...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:45:00 -0700

How lovely of you to join us today! We’re thrilled to introduce you to Scott, the new Lead Recruiter here at MindSnacks.

Hey Scott, welcome to the team! How is your day going so far?

Pretty good! I’m getting a good workout turning over all of these rocks looking for stellar Android developers!

We have no doubt that you’ll find a rockstar under all of those rocks you’re turning over! In the words of the Rolling Stones, “you just might find, you get what you need.” Call us crazy, but we think everyone needs an awesome animal sidekick, so what would you pick?

I would pick a dolphin, because that would require me to relocate to a tropical paradise! Also, they are really smart, so it might keep me out of trouble.

Dolphins are quite brainy! Literally… A dolphin brain weighs 3.5 pounds while a human brain weighs about 3 pounds. Cool, huh? Next question: if you could relive any decade, which would it be and why?

As much as I hate to admit it…. the 90’s. I had just graduated college and moved to San Francisco. Life had just really started, and I was living it in one of the most fantastic cities in the world. Finally felt like a grown up.

We think many people would agree with you. The dream of the 90s is alive in San Francisco. Not Portland… Last but not least, what superpower would you like to have?

Well, I’m already psychic (or is that psychotic?)…so I would choose to fly. I would lose my frequent flyer miles…but NO MORE MIDDLE SEATS!!! Yeah!

Quite the double threat! Well folks, there you have it – you’ve now officially met Scott, our psychic, dolphin-loving Lead Recruiter! Hope you all have a great evening!

Hey cool cats! We’d like to introduce you to one of our brand...

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:00:30 -0800

Hey cool cats!

We’d like to introduce you to one of our brand spankin’ new games found in Kids’ Vocab: Pounce. Using context clues, determine which word fits into the example sentence. But hurry, before these wacky cats disappear! Check out Pounce today: http://bit.ly/ZqWHjc

Let’s get ready to rumble It’s the moment...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:29:12 -0800

Let’s get ready to rumble

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Time to take a first look at our new Kids’ Vocab trailer: http://bit.ly/XYx0oW So, sit back, relax and get ready to learn!

It’s time to put on your thinking caps! Exciting news from...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:42:47 -0800

It’s time to put on your thinking caps!

Exciting news from MindSnacks! Please welcome Kids’ Vocab as the newest subject to join our growing family of apps. Designed especially for students ages 7-12, Kids’ Vocab helps kids truly understand words by teaching definitions, spelling, pronunciation, proper usage, parts of speech and more! Download Kids’ Vocab from the iTunes App Store today: http://bit.ly/ZqWHjc

Look what’s in store for Show & Tell today!

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:30:20 -0800

Look what’s in store for Show & Tell today!

Oh, what a beautiful mornin’! It’s Wednesday, which means it’s a...

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:30:00 -0800

Oh, what a beautiful mornin’! It’s Wednesday, which means it’s a perfect day to introduce you to another MindSnacker. Sitting in the hot seat today, we’re bringing you Ariel, a QA Tester here at MindSnacks!

Hey Ariel! How is your day going?

It’s always a good day to play video games.

That’s what we like to hear. We also think that is a most excellent motto fit for any noble family of Westeros. Speaking of other games (that don’t involve thrones), what board game will never bore you?

Settlers of Catan. I also really like to play Apples to Apples. I drive everyone insane by choosing the most irrelevant answer at random intervals. It’s so delightfully evil.

Two highly coveted picks for a game night. We’ll take both into consideration the next time we set one up at MindSnacks! We like your thinking, so we thought we’d ask, if you were trapped in a TV show for a month, which would you choose and why?

“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” I figure after a month or so, I should have quite a fortune stocked up.

Ariel, we take it that is your final answer. Now, onto the million-dollar question: what’s your go-to karaoke night song?

I like to surprise folks with a bit of Eminem every now and then, but I’m also just as likely to bust out with Queen or the Killers. Whatever catches my fancy.

Keeping it cool, we like your style. We on the other hand, are going to go back to singing songs from the seminal Broadway hit, Oklahoma! Thanks for reading, and have a spectacular National Strawberry day!

Do you like apps? Do you like games? Do you like to have...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:00:00 -0800

Do you like apps? Do you like games? Do you like to have fun?

Then get ready to game because we’re looking for volunteers to participate in our next playtesting session!

Playtesting sessions are a big part of how our teams at MindSnacks learn how to improve the games, the design and the content featured in our apps. That’s why we’re inviting you — yes you! — to join us in our San Francisco studio to test our games and help us improve them.

The content tested during this session will vary, but in the past, it has been for unreleased apps and games we’ve been working on. For anyone interested in learning more about what goes on behind the scenes at MindSnacks, here’s your chance to get involved first-hand with our game development process!

Playtesters of all ages are invited to sign up, as well as people who are familiar with MindSnacks, and people with no previous experience using our apps. Food and drinks will be provided, and after a fun afternoon of playing our games, we’ll share some free downloads of a MindSnacks app of your choice.

If you’d like to join us for our next playtesting session on Friday, March 22 from 4:00-6:30pm, sign up here! If you are unable to make it, but would like to stay up to date on future sessions, fill out this form, and we’ll keep you posted on our next session.

A new spin on Show & Tell Remember Show & Tell from back...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:30:17 -0800

A new spin on Show & Tell

Remember Show & Tell from back in the day? We’re still quite fond of it here at MindSnacks, and it’s now a celebrated office tradition. Every Friday, we walk around the office to show off what we’ve been working on. Then, we share nominations for a spin at the — drum roll please — prize wheel!

Recently, Show & Tell was hosted by our engineers, who concocted several signature cocktails for everyone to consume. The prize box even had a few updates too. May we interest you in a dolphin mask at all?

Hey folks! Thanks for joining us for today’s installment of Meet...

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:30:36 -0800

Hey folks! Thanks for joining us for today’s installment of Meet a MindSnacker! Today, we’d like to introduce you to Chie, one of the talented artists here at MindSnacks!

Hey Chie, how is your day going so far?

Pretty well! I actually started the day with breakfast this morning, so I’m feeling energized.

Treat. Yo. Self. Breakfast is magically delicious, and we all know that brain food is an essential part of everyday life here at MindSnacks! Now that you’re feeling energized, answer this: what board game will never bore you?

Can I pretend Jenga is a board game? That thing never gets old. Otherwise, Connect Four.

You’ve raised a very serious point, Chie. Is Jenga really considered a board game? We’ll let it slide by this time. Anyway, if you were trapped in a TV show for a month, which would you choose and why?

I’m currently obsessed with “Gravity Falls” so I’ll have to say that. There’s always some crazy, weird, magical stuff going on in each episode.

You’ve just used three of our favorite adjectives in one sentence: crazy, weird and magical. We MUST see what this show is all about! Now, see if you can knock our socks off with your answer to this question: what is your go-to karaoke night song?

Any Spice Girls song! No shame.

Excellent choice, Chie. We fully support you belting out “Wannabe” at MindSnacks karaoke night. Now if you excuse us, we have some reminiscing about boy and girl bands from the 90s that we need to attend to. Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… Meet a...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:00:00 -0800

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… Meet a MindSnacker is here! (We got you, didn’t we? You thought we were going to say Friday!) Today, we’re introducing you to Andrea, an art intern here at MindSnacks!

Hey Andrea, thrilled to have you with us! How is your day going?

Pretty good, I just learned how to make coffee out of the Chemex so I feel that much smarter, and more caffeinated.

Educating the team, one cup of coffee at a time. We promise, this internship has nothing to do with coffee. Unless of course, you’re one of the cool cats in our Coffee Club! Next question: what is the one board game that will never bore you?

Bananagrams! I know there’s no board, but it’s still a crazy fun game.

What an appealing selection you’ve made! Games and bananas aside, if you were trapped in a TV show for a month, which would you choose and why?

“30 Rock.” Liz Lemon and I would probably eat sandwiches all day or something. It would be awesome.

Liz Lemon put it best when she said, “All of humankind has one thing in common: the sandwich.” We couldn’t agree more with such eloquent words. We could talk about Liz Lemon-isms all day, but we must know what your go-to karaoke night song is?

I hate to be cliche, but “I Will Survive.” I get REALLY into it, perhaps uncomfortably so. But honestly, I will sing any karaoke song, even if it’s in another language.

Challenge accepted. One of these days, we’d love to hear you sing “I Will Survive” in ALL of our different MindSnacks languages! Well folks, that concludes today’s episode. Thanks for reading, and have a fantastically fun Friday!

Ahoy there! Ready to meet a new MindSnacker? We’ve been sailing...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:30:22 -0800

Ahoy there! Ready to meet a new MindSnacker? We’ve been sailing the seven seas, and are excited to introduce you to Torri, an art intern at MindSnacks!

Hey Torri, we’re so glad to have you with us! How is your day going?

It was an eventful day at the office because Alice demonstrated all of the different ways to brew coffee!

That was DARN good coffee, and hot! At least, that’s how Special Agent Dale Cooper would have described his cup of joe. Now, I hate to get serious here, but what board game will never bore you?

Risk because games are long, emotions run high, and I tend to win a lot.

That’s quite a claim you’re making. All eyes will be on you the next time we’ve got a game of Risk going on. Watch out! But for now, if you were trapped in a TV show for a month, which would you choose and why?

“Cowboy Bebop” because it’s set in both the future and in space. My occupation as a bounty hunter would be a little juxtaposed to my personality, but I’d only be dodging bullets for a month. Plus, I’d get to make friends with a secretly genius welsh corgi – what’s there not to love?

You tell us! We love having animal companions. Although, try not to make Rigby too jealous of your new pal… Final question: what’s your go-to karaoke song?

Kiss by Prince!

Solid choice, we’ll keep that one in mind. And note to the Fun Team at MindSnacks – plan karaoke night in the near future! Well, that’s a wrap for today. Have a wonderful evening, and happy World Radio day to all!

Happy Mardi Gras from MindSnacks! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:00:00 -0800

Happy Mardi Gras from MindSnacks! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

And…we’re back!! Welcome to the first 2013...

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:00:36 -0800

And…we’re back!! Welcome to the first 2013 installment of Meet a MindSnacker! Did you miss us? Awww! Well, we sure missed you too!

Our team’s growing faster than a jackrabbit on a hot greasy griddle, and we’d like to introduce you to some of the cool folks who work here. Today we’re bringing you Yuki, one of the talented software engineers here at MindSnacks!

Hey Yuki! How is your day going?

Quite lovely.

We’d have to agree with you on that one, today is quite lovely. In addition to being quite lovely, you could have also described today as James Dean’s birthday or Kite Flying Day. But, quite lovely works quite well for us. So Yuki, besides MindSnacks, what’s the one app you can’t live without?

Probably the clock app because it keeps me on time, and it’s a must have for when I cook.

The simple, understated elegance of the clock app. It wakes us up and even helps us cook our food. Unless of course, you’re eating one of Alice’s delicious meals! But, we digress… Next question: if you had to select a theme song, what would it be?

If I had to choose one, it’d probably be the theme song from this show I use to watch as a kid called “Ultraman Seven.”

We had to do some research there, but that sounds very official. We’ll be sure to play it every time you enter a room! Now tell us, if you could create a new holiday, what would it be?

It would be called Friday, and it would be right before the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturday of every month.

You’re definitely onto something, Yuki… In fact, it looks like today is one of your so-called Fridays! Well folks, we hope you enjoy it, and make sure you have a blast this weekend too!

jessepickard: Oh, the things you’ll find in the MindSnacks...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:03:01 -0800

jessepickard:

Oh, the things you’ll find in the MindSnacks supply closet…