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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]
Peggle 2 pinballs, pachinkos to PS4
Peggle 2 is bouncing down to PS4 on October 14, PopCap Games announced today. The PS4 version includes classic and Xbox One version Peggle Masters. Peggle 2 hit Xbox One at launch and the Xbox 360 in May, though in 2013 we learned that the game was bound for "as many platforms as possible," and a Korean rating for a PS4 version popped up that year. Surprise or not, Peggle 2 PS4 players can rejoice today (and again in October). [Images: PopCap]
Xbox 360 deals: BioShock Infinite, Modern Warfare 3
Today is the final day of Microsoft's Xbox 360 Ultimate Games Sale, and it's going out with a bang, a burst of speed and an "Ode to Joy." First, the bang: BioShock Infinite is 67 percent off ($9.89 / £6.59 / €9.89) today on Xbox Live, joined by Modern Warfare 3 at 60 percent off ($19.99 / £19.99 / €27.99) and Painkiller Hell and Damnation at 80 percent off ($5.99 / £4.99 / €5.99). Two racing games are discounted through Xbox Live today: NASCAR 14 and Split Second. Eutechnyx's NASCAR 14 is 58 percent off ($20.99) and Split Second is 75 percent off ($4.99 / £2.99 / €3.74). The best way for the Xbox 360 Ultimate Games Sale to close is with an Ode to Joy provided by Peggle 2, the lone discounted XBLA game in today's sale. PopCap's popular peg-destroying game is half-off today ($11.99 / £9.99 / €9.99). Remember, the final day's sales are joined by other ongoing deals, which also expire at the end of the day. [Image: 2K Games]
Peggle 2 pegs it to Xbox 360, available now
A million magic spheres, painted blue and orange. Multi-million dollars, almost overnight. That's what Popcap and EA will be hoping for with Peggle 2 on Xbox 360, as the formerly Xbox One-only game is out now for $12 in North America, and £10/10 euros in Europe. Peggle 2 notched a respectable three and a half stars in our Xbox One review. While Joystiq's Richard Mitchell enjoyed all the main levels, he came away feeling a bit let-down. "Again though, for many players, all Peggle 2 ever needed to be was 'more Peggle' and, in that respect, it succeeds," Richard concluded. "The improved production value is evident, with adorably animated masters and their ridiculously exuberant final score celebrations stealing the show. I wish the same amount of effort had gone into expanding the core game's mechanical variety, though I suspect we'll see that down the road via DLC." [Image: Comedy Central]
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]
Peggle 2 cascades onto Xbox 360 in May, Xbox One gets local duelling
The Xbox 360 joins the Peggle 2 party on May 7, when PopCap's mix of pachinko, unicorns, and classical music tumbles onto systems in North America and Europe. There's no word on a price, but the game is tagged at $12 on Xbox One. The news comes on the same day PopCap launched a new Duel Mode for the Xbox One version, allowing two players to fight locally for the right to call themselves a true Peggle Master - duels were previously limited to online matches. EA confirmed Duel Mode is coming to the Xbox 360 port, too. EA limited today's announcement to the Xbox 360, but PopCap hasn't been shy about its desire to bring the pinballing sequel to "as many platforms as possible." A South Korean rating from last year suggests one of those platforms is the PS4. [Image: EA]
Peggle 2 receives PEGI rating for Xbox 360
Peggle 2 has received a PEGI rating of 3 for Xbox 360, alongside a release date of February 12, 2014 – today. Peggle 2 hit Xbox One on December 9 in the US and Europe, and it's yet to be officially announced for other platforms, though it was previously rated for Xbox 360 and PS4 in South Korea. Slow your roll on that PEGI release date, though. Some of PEGI's purported release dates represent the day those games launched in Europe (Grand Theft Auto 5), while others are incorrect (Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefiled 4 next-gen, Peggle 2 on Xbox One). Still, another rating for Peggle 2 on Xbox 360 is a good sign for non-Xbox One puzzle fiends.
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?
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.
'Stiq Tips: Peggle 2 Guide
Before you read this, write the following statement on a piece of paper 50 times -- "Peggle is not all luck, Peggle is not all luck, Peggle is not all luck." Ok, done? Now you're ready to understand why you'll need to saturate every bit of knowledge you can if you're going to hit an Off The Wall Extreme Slide Kick the Bucket Fever bonus. Yep, Peggle is pretty hardcore like that. It's no big deal. First, you're going to want to reacquaint yourself with the basics. To clear each board, you'll need to hit every orange peg, but to get the highest score, you'll want to go for a ton of skillshots (more on that later), and clear out as many blue pegs as possible before going for the last orange to cause a "fever" and end the level. It's a common misconception that you'll want to clear up every orange peg as fast as possible, and it's the worst way to earn a high score.
Peggle 2 review: Relapse
For many people, Peggle 2 stands as an involuntary, compulsory purchase. For others, Peggle 2 is one of the last new Xbox One games launching this year and, at $12, it's an easy recommendation amidst the rest of the fledgling console's library. When Peggle 2 inevitably spreads to other platforms, its casual puzzle game leanings will still make it a palatable choice for most players. Like its 2007 predecessor, Peggle 2 sits somewhere between carnival game and slot machine and, honestly, focusing a critical lens on it feels kind of silly. I played through all of Peggle 2's main levels, and I enjoyed doing so, but I can't help feeling a little disappointed.
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 juggles balls on Xbox One December 9
A reported Peggle 2 release date indicates that the highly-anticipated sequel will be bouncing around your Xbox One on December 9. Both VentureBeat reports that Peggle 2 has been given a release date by developer PopCap, though the company has yet to make an official post on its own site. VentureBeat also reports several new gameplay elements, such as pinball bumpers to keep your balls on the playing field (no laughing, you) as well as new helpers like Jeffrey, the beer-drinking troll. Peggle 2 will reportedly feature 120 levels when it releases.
Peggle 2 rated for PS4, Xbox 360 in South Korea
South Korea's Game Rating Board classified Peggle 2 for PS4 and Xbox 360 this week, as well as Xbox One. The puzzler follow-up is set to arrive on Xbox One first, and there's no indication that's changed, even though it won't make the console's launch this month. However, these ratings suggest it could trickle onto other platforms in the near future. PopCap has already said Peggle 2 will, much like its predecessor, be ported to "as many other platforms as possible." PopCap's enthusiastically announced sequel is due next month on Xbox One. According to our PAX Prime preview, it doesn't ricochet too far from the tried-and-tested Peggle formula, but it still "looks like a game you'll play until your thumbs drop off."
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.
Peggle 2: Ball-bouncing, peg-clearing, unicorn-pooping goodness
Peggle is a pretty simple game. You shoot a ball at pegs, you score some points, "Ode to Joy" plays, you move on. Yet beneath that simplicity lies a challenge so deliciously addictive that Peggle became one of PopCap's biggest hits, crossing over from its intended casual audience to delight core players as well. Everyone you know has played Peggle. There's a version of Peggle for just about everything in your home that draws electrical current. A sequel was inevitable, but how do you follow up something as obscenely popular and monstrously successful as Peggle? According to producer Jared Neuss, you "make more and better Peggle." Oh. Well, that was easy.
Peggle 2 gets animated masters, new abilities
During Microsoft's Xbox One event at Gamescom, EA announced Peggle 2 would come to the next-gen platform. Speaking with GameInformer, Lead Producer Jared Neuss revealed some of the changes the game will see when it arrives later this year. PopCap's pachinko-inspired game features new worlds, new masters - those amazing characters that gave players special abilities - and a different method of bringing its characters to life. They are now fully animated and react to the on-screen action, Neuss said. Showcasing a new character with the ability to hide a board's blue pegs, Neuss said the new Master powers will be very "over-the-top compared to the old Master powers." Despite changes, Peggle 2 looks a lot like Peggle. But ... Saying "Peggle 2 looks like more Peggle" is like saying, "Why do I have all this dumb blood in my body?" Well, because you need it to live. Peggle 2 will arrive on the Xbox One at the console's launch and make its way to other, unspecified platforms, at an undisclosed date.
