For many, the introduction to Hexic (the simple yet deceptively challenging puzzle game of arranging colored hexagonal tiles to form clusters and create combos) was first experienced by buying an XBOX 360 launch model that came with a hard disk drive (HDD). You see the XBOX 360 launched with two models, the first “pro” or “premium” model came with composite / component cables and a HDD. While the “core” model came with an A/V cable and without an HDD. The core was of course cheaper, but should you have spent a couple of extra bucks on the “pro” model you would have received a free game – Hexic HD.
Enter Alexey Pajitnov
Alexey Pajitnov is a name many gamers are not familiar with, he does not have the same name recognition as Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid), Neil Druckmann (The Last of Us) or Todd Howard (The Elder Scrolls & Fallout) but he is a legend within the industry and the chances are you played one of his previous games – Tetris. That’s right, as many of you may have guessed by now, Alexy did not only create Tetris but he also created Hexic. It seems the man has a knack for puzzle solving games.
The history of Hexic
While it would be perfectly acceptable to think Hexic was created solely for Mircosoft’s new fledging console (the XBOX 360), the game was originally developed & for released on the MSN Online service in July 2003. Other ports seen it included on Zune & Windows Phone.
Microsoft tried to recreate history
Before Nintendo released it’s GameBoy in 1989, Nintendo knew they needed a new killer app to help sell the console. Though various dealings, the Japanese giant Nintendo got the rights to the portable version of Tetris. Which Nintendo would bundle copies of the game with each GameBoy sold in North-America and Europe. The GameBoy version of Tetris would go on to sell a total of 35 million copies. Quite impressive indeed. It would appear that Microsoft shipping Hexic, along with XBOX 360 HDD consoles, was a way to try and recapture the same lightning in the bottle. While Hexic a success that Hexic 2 was developed and released in August 2007, Hexic never quite gained the same success as Tetris – which is considered one of the most important games of all time.