Ochos Locos is a tiny game with a tremendous goal: get players of all ages and nationalities playing and, eventually, creating together. Developed in Python, Ochos Locos was originally created for the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO laptop and is also now available for Windows and Linux environments.

In keeping with OLPC's mission, Ochos Locos was created to teach young children in many countries basic mathematical and logical reasoning skills with an interface unconstrained by linguistic barriers. Team Locos did a fantastic job crafting a colorful and attractive environment which allows even the youngest of players to quickly pick up the game's rules and start playing and learning.

In keeping with Ochos Locos's design aesthetic of accessibility and extensibility, the game includes the Locos Engine, the first playing card engine for the OLPC XO. This engine runs faster and requires less memory than similar engines developed with Python game development tools like pyGame, which is an important consideration for players running the game from their laptops in areas where electricity is a rare and precious resource.

Furthermore, the Locos Engine was designed from the ground up to be extensible, allowing players to begin creating their own card games. In fact, a team of MIT freshmen created their own unique game using the Locos Engine during IAP 2008. Since the XO allows its users to see the code of all software running on the laptop and can take them to the current line of execution, the Locos Engine was designed to introduce children to programming concepts and enable them to express their creativity and share their ideas with their friends via the XO's Mesh network.

As producer of Ochos Locos, it gives me great pleasure to release it to players around the world, and I eagerly await the results of your creativity. I hope that the tools Team Locos worked tirelessly to produce provide you with hours of fun and inspiration for your own games, and invite you to join us in the exciting world of game development!