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Early version of the new 'Plants vs. Zombies' is available today for $30
As we get closer to the October 18th launch of Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville, PopCap Games is ready to share a Founder's Edition. Today, fans can play the digital-only version of the game. New features and content will be added weekly over the next six-weeks, as PopCap polishes the title for its official launch.
'Plants vs. Zombies 3' is on the way and you can test it now
Six years after Plants vs. Zombies 2 staggered into the world, the next entry in the series is on the way. PopCap Games is hard at work on Plants vs. Zombies 3, and it's already offering you the chance to pit flora against undead fauna once again.
Deals with Gold: PopCap puzzlers
This week's Deals with Gold features discounts on a handful of PopCap-developed games for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Xbox One owners can pick up third-person shooter Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare at 66 percent off ($13.59) as well as Peggle 2 at 60 percent off ($4.79). Garden Warfare is just $10.19 this week on Xbox 360 as well. Other Xbox 360 games are half-off this week, such as the original Peggle ($4.99) and its Peggle Nights expansion ($2.49) as well as Bejeweled 3 and Plants vs. Zombies ($7.49 each). Lastly, players can download both Zuma and Feeding Frenzy ($2.49 each) as well as their sequels Zuma's Revenge and Feeding Frenzy 2 ($4.99 each). The deals are good through Monday, December 15. [Image: PopCap Games]
EA Access Vault adds Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare
A war between pugnacious plant-life and zealous zombies has been raging for eons – or at least since Garden Warfare launched in February on Xbox One and Xbox 360. Today, humanoid EA Access members have been invited to join the battle with the addition of Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare to the service's Vault – a collection of games active subscribers have unlimited access to. Vault access to Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare also includes the DLC "Legends of the Lawn," which adds new character variants, a new mode and more. EA Access is an Xbox One-exclusive subscription service that allows players to download select games in the EA Vault for $5 a month or $30 a year. Already within the Vault are Battlefield 4, FIFA 14, Madden 25 and Need for Speed Rivals. Subscribers also get 10 percent off of most digital EA content on Xbox Live.
Nab a free copy of Bejeweled 3 on Origin
Bejeweled 3 is the latest entry in Origin's On the House program, meaning the normally $5 tile-matching puzzler is free for Windows PC and Mac until October 28. As with the other On the House freebies, once you claim the game, it's yours to keep. PopCap's super-successful series may be in its teens, but it's only seen five releases to date, including two spinoffs. Bejeweled 3 added four new modes to the mix which you unlock as you play through, but as Joystiq's Richard Mitchell put it in his 2011 XBLA in Brief video, "Why are you still watching this? It's Bejeweled. It's the same game it's been for a decade, except it's prettier and it's got more stuff." [Image: EA]
Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare digs its roots into PC June 24
Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, the third-person multiplayer shooter from the green-thumbed developers at PopCap, will arrive on PC on June 24. The game launched on Xbox One and Xbox 360 in February and received additional downloadable content packs since, such as Zomboss Down and Garden Variety. Those pieces of DLC will be included with the PC version at launch. Garden Warfare features both competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes like Team Vanquish and Garden Ops, spinning off the traditional strategy game by putting the Plants Vs. Zombies characters on a battlefield, each with unique traits and abilities. Our review of the game was generally positive, noting the balance between its charms and technical flaws. While the game didn't include microtransactions at launch, EA and PopCap plan to begin rolling paid content into the game starting this week. The digital deluxe PC version of the game, available for pre-order on Origin right now, includes two booster packs and 80,000 in-game coins. PopCap suffered layoffs in March following Garden Warfare's launch and a "necessary" restructure for the developer. [Image: Electronic Arts]
Peggle 2 Windy fairy DLC gives a flying flock
Peggle 2 received a new master via downloadable content today named Windy, a spritely fairy that brings with her a special "Fairy Flock" power. Windy transforms blue pegs in the game into the score-boosting purple pegs and "simple shots" into ones that are bound to earn players additional chances. The Windy's Master Pack DLC includes 10 new levels, 10 trials, three costumes, three achievements and 30 objectives, all for $1.99. PopCap launched the game on Xbox One in December, adding local multiplayer dueling in March. Xbox 360 owners will get a turn with Peggle 2 when it arrives on Microsoft's so-last-gen platform on May 7. [Image: EA Games]
PopCap working to squash Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare DLC bugs [Update]
Last week's debut of the Garden Variety DLC for PopCap's Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare brought mixed reactions. Players appreciated that the addition is available free of charge, but they were less than pleased with the bugs that have been causing the third-person shooter to crash on consoles. Since initial bug reports began streaming in, PopCap's tech staff has been working to alleviate the problems. Last Friday, the developer released a patch that should have cleared up any issues with the Xbox One version of the DLC, though the Xbox 360 game remains partially hobbled. PopCap creative director Justin Wiebe has been fielding reports on Twitter. Though Wiebe has yet to offer a specific timeline for when the Xbox 360 bugs will be squashed, his most recent tweet on the topic offers players hope. "We have a potential fix submitted for testing," Wiebe wrote. "If the tests go well X360 should be back to norm soon. Fingers crossed!" We've contacted PopCap and publisher EA for further information on the status of the DLC. We'll report back as soon as we hear anything. Update: EA has offered a reply to our inquiry which you can find below the break. [Image: EA]
PopCap hit with layoffs after recent studio split
Plants vs Zombies and Peggle developer PopCap suffered layoffs today, EA confirmed. The news follows a reorganization at the studio in late February, which saw the developer split into a two teams, one geared towards mobile games and the other for console releases. PopCap CEO David Roberts also stepped down and was replaced by co-founder John Vechey in January. "The changes we made today at PopCap were painful and we're sorry to lose some of our friends and colleagues," EA wrote in an email to Joystiq. "But it was also necessary in order to stay on course with our future plans for mobile games, live services, and new IP. PopCap is a studio that made its name building great games that the world can fall in love with, and that's what we'll continue to do." PopCap's latest game is Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare, which was good enough to earn a four-star review from Joystiq. The number of employees affected by the layoffs is unknown at this time. [Image: PopCap]
PopCap vets team up in Fixer Studios, fixing up Spellbinder spiritual successor
Three former PopCap developers formed a new mobile gaming studio "inspired by the game-jam spirit," Fixer Studios. At its core, the studio consists of its three founders: Avery Alix, Eric Olson and Christopher Langmuir. The developer's first game is Sinister Dexter for iOS and Android, a spiritual successor to the 1977 pen-and-paper game Spellbinder. While the studio is being formally announced now, both Alix and Olson's LinkedIn profiles indicate that it was first founded in June 2013. The "collaborative cloud" studio includes a rotating roster of 30 industry veterans. Fixer Studios opted for a "dynamic staffing system to manage production," according to its website. Team members will join up and drop out based on their "availability, interest and expertise," forcing team leads to delegate tasks and "mission critical activities" as needed to keep development on track. [Image: Fixer Studios]
Plants vs. Zombies delayed, sprouting a week later
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare needs a little more time in the earth before it's ready. Electronic Arts will now launch the quirky third-person multiplayer shooter on February 25 and 27 in North America and Europe, respectively. That's a one week delay for the friendly $40 pea shooter. Above you'll also find a developer diary featuring four-player co-op gameplay. Fight together or be shredded as another ingredient in a tossed salad alone.
Criterion co-founders leave EA to form new studio
Vice president Alex Ward and studio director Fiona Sperry have both left Criterion Games, a development house best known for the Burnout series of arcade-style racing games. "Alex Ward and Fiona Sperry have decided to leave EA," a spokesperson for the publisher told Polygon. "We appreciate their many contributions through the years and wish them well in their future endeavours." These departures come less than four months after Criterion was hit by downsizing, an EA decision that moved many Criterion employees to UK-based Need for Speed: Rivals developer Ghost Games. Following this forced exodus, Criterion was reportedly down to "about 20" employees, though EA claims that the developer remains hard at work on a new, as yet unannounced project aimed at next-generation consoles. "The incredibly creative and talented team at Criterion are hard at work on a new project for next-gen consoles as new IP continues to be a major priority across EA," the publisher stated. Following his announcement, Ward took to Twitter, saying, "The news breaks. Along with @FionaSperry I have left @CriterionGames. Welcome to the REAL #tothefuture." In a later tweet Ward explains that he and Sperry plan to create a new development studio, though further details on their plans have yet to appear. This marks the second time in as many days that we've received word of a shakeup at one of EA's development studios. Only yesterday we learned that PopCap Games CEO David Roberts would be departing the company, and that John Vechey, the sole PopCap founder remaining at the studio's Seattle headquarters, would assume the role. Edit: The original version of the above article included a sentence stating that Matt Webster is a senior vice president at EA, when in fact he is only leading the development of Criterion's next project. We apologize for any confusion.
Report: PopCap CEO stepping down, co-founder Vechey to take over
PopCap Games CEO David Roberts is stepping down after almost nine years with the company and will be replaced by co-founder John Vechey. The shift in management will take effect on January 8, Venturebeat reports. "PopCap's mission right now is to create the greatest mobile game studio in the world, and we're going to do that by only making games that are beloved by players," Vechey told Venturebeat. "We're focusing on our foundation in 2014 – talent, process, and most importantly, great products, around that mission." Presumably Roberts will retire from the gaming industry, though he has yet to announce any plans for beyond January 8. Vechey's current role is VP of development and strategy, where he has worked internally on "spearheading/helping new initiatives" for years now. He also moonlights as Chief Hype Man, starring in the best Pokemon/Peggle 2 mash-up gif of 2013. Popcap Games was founded in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka. On January 8, Kapalka will transition into a consultant's role, leaving Vechey as the only remaining Popcap co-founder at the Seattle studio. EA acquired Popcap in 2011 for a hefty $750 million. [Image credit]
Peggle 2 proposal is the most uplifting thing you'll see today
Rob and Shireen are both big Peggle fans. During the development of Peggle 2, Rob wrote in to PopCap for a little help with proposing to his girlfriend – and the studio obliged. PopCap came up with a special testing day scenario: Rob would tell Shireen he wrote this essay into PopCap telling them how she's their biggest fan and the company would fly the two out to San Francisco to test an early build of the game and provide feedback. The early build, comprised of five levels, would culminate in a final level where Rob would ask Shireen to marry him. Now, we don't want to ruin the ending for you, but maybe grab a tissue before you hit the play button above, okay?
PvZ Garden Warfare digs up 'Gardens & Graveyards' mode
Described as a mix of Battlefield 4's Rush and Conquest mode (you have our attention, especially if the servers work), Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare showed off its "Gardens & Graveyards" mode in a new gameplay video today.
Xbox One does not require demos, devs to make that decision
The Xbox 360 featured a demo for every Xbox Live Arcade release. It had to, because Microsoft made that a mandate. For the Xbox One however, things have changed, and now developers decide whether or not they want to release a demo. "It is (and always has been) up to game developers to do demos for their own games," wrote Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb on his blog. "They'll [sic] be more demos for Xbox One as the platform goes forward." Hryb was later asked why Microsoft changed its demo policy, but offered no response to that question. Hryb's statement came in response to discussion of Peggle 2, a recent release that offers players a free demo. That's good, but problematically the Xbox One interface does nothing to separate what were previously considered Arcade games from their retail brethren. As a result, finding the demo is more difficult than it reasonably should be.
Upcoming free Peggle 2 update lets you duel your friends
EA Popcap will add a supplementary mode, called Duel mode, to Peggle 2. In a post on Facebook, producer Jared Neuss says the studio is hard at work on implementing the free multiplayer mode and will announce more details soon. Duel mode, which was included in the original Peggle, is a straight-up competitive mode for local and online play that pits two players against each other on the same board. Neuss says the addition of Duel mode is just the beginning of a series of "regular updates" the developer has planned for Peggle 2. Peggle 2 launched this week as an exclusive on Xbox One. In our review, we said it "remains a foregone conclusion for existing Pegglers and puzzle fans alike, even if it doesn't quite live up to the addiction that destroyed everyone's work ethic back in 2007." New players looking for an edge should check out our 'Stiq Tips feature, which has plenty of advice for maximizing your scores in the sequel.
Bjorn to Peggle 2: the five Master trailers
Peggle 2 will arrive next Monday on Xbox One. We hope those who plan to partake have made the proper arrangements with their work, friends and loved ones. Once you ride the Bjorn Express, it's hard to get off that delicious unicorn. The game is sure to be on all platforms, mobile devices and just about anything with a screen by the end of next year. You can take a hit of a Peggle 2 Master by watching the video above, but there's also four more shots after the break. Each layer will take you deeper into the Peggle. Once you've watched the final one, you'll be one with the Peggle, the mysteries of the PopCap will open and the universe will speak in colors. Or, so we've heard. We're scared to go that far. Hold us.
Report: Peggle 2 missing Xbox One launch, coming in December
Peggle 2 has bounced out of the Xbox One launch lineup and will land "a few weeks later in December," according to Venturebeat's email exchange with PopCap Senior Director of PR Garth Chouteau. Chouteau describes Peggle 2 as a "launch timeframe" game, but did not offer a specific day for players to expect its arrival. Microsoft previously announced that Peggle 2 would be available during the launch of Xbox One.
The masters come out to play in Peggle 2
Three Peggle 2 masters are the focus of a trio of new trailers from Popcap today: Master Luna, an undead girl who hangs out at the cemetery; Bjorn, the headbanging unicorn and unofficial posterhorse of the original Peggle; and Berg, a yeti who really should put on some pants.
