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Peggle (finally!) coming to iPhone on May 12
Although we've been sworn to secrecy about its finer points (shhh, PopCap nailed it), Joystiq can excitedly confirm that Peggle for iPhone / iPod Touch will be released onto the App Store on Tuesday, May 12. PopCap is still considering an appropriate price, but we can assume Peggle is not going to be tossed in the 99-cent free-for-all pile and will probably fit into a more "premium" price range between $5-6. Though, if any game's worth the ceiling price of $10, Peggle is (just, you know, don't actually price it that high, PopCap, cool?).Rest assured, the "delay" -- heightened by our agonizing jonesing for a Peggle fix ever since the App Store launched -- has been used to design a quality experience. This is no half-baked port. Peggle has long been likened to "crack," but let's be more accurate: It's one of those highly-addictive pharmaceutical concoctions, created by professionals in tidy laboratories and tailored through extensive QA trials. Can you tell? We're hooked.Watch out for our review of Peggle for iPhone / iPod Touch in the coming weeks.
Plants vs Zombies may branch out to consoles, iPhone
PopCap Games' upcoming Plants vs. Zombies isn't just some cute tower defense game. No, it's also responsible for 2009's catchiest tune, and even before the game's release on PC next month, there are rumblings it could be planting its seed into consoles and iPhone, according to comments PopCap made to casualgaming.biz.While the casual games giant (and crack dealer) made no mention of those platforms specifically (other than to say it has no plans involving them), it did want to make clear that its goal is to bring its product to as many people as possible. The company explained that its "overriding mission" is to have its games "in as many different places, and on as many platforms, as possible – to make them accessible to this audience of 'everyone'."The game would be great on XBLA, PSN and WiiWare, we'd say. And, sure, why not the iPhone? That thing is too legit to quit now.
PopCap adds Peggle to WoW, apocalypse imminent
Sweet, merciful crap -- the end of the world is imminent. Imminent, we say. WoW Insider reports that PopCap has released the official Peggle add-on for World of Warcraft. The add-on can be used to duel other WoW players and can even be used to decide who gets loot drops. That's right, World of Warcraft and Peggle, two great tastes that taste completely self-destructive together.Head on over to WoW Insider for an extensive look at the most perilous thing Earth has ever faced.
WoW Insider exclusive: PopCap releases Peggle for WoW
digg_url = 'http://wow.joystiq.com/2009/04/23/wow-insider-exclusive-popcap-releases-peggle-for-wow/'; Yes, when PopCap released their Bejeweled addon a while back, the first question on everyone's minds was: when are we getting Peggle? And here you go: as of this morning, you can download the brand new Peggle for WoW addon from PopCap's site.WoW Insider got a chance to play with the addon from its early beta on, and it's extremely impressive -- not only will you find the usual addictive peg-hitting gameplay that we've come to know from Peggle, but PopCap and creator Michael Fromwiller (whom we interviewed about Bejeweled, and who we're told is actually being hired on full-time at PopCap as soon as he finishes school this spring) have really added a new level to the game by tying it right into World of Warcraft. The game rewards you with "Talent points" that can change the gameplay itself, and you can challenge other players within World of Warcraft to duels and score battles. There's even a "Peggle loot" setting, which, when used as Master Looter, will let your guildies and friends with the addon actually take Peggle shots against each other to determine who gets loot drops.It's really wild. Read on for our early impressions of the addon, check out the gallery below for exactly what it looks like, and then go head on over to PopCap's site to download it for free yourself.%Gallery-50946%
Steam announces Plants vs. Zombies pre-order bonus, trailer tune available
Valve has announced Steam users who pre-order Plants vs. Zombies before its May 5 release will receive a free copy of Heavy Weapon Deluxe right away. While both titles are from PopCap's library, they couldn't be more from one another. Plants vs. Zombies is the latest in a never-ending stream of tower defense style games while Heavy Weapon Deluxe puts is an action title putting players in control of an atomic tank.If one free thing isn't good enough, you can also rock out to the Plants vs. Zombies trailer theme song, "Zombies on Your Lawn" by downloading the tune today. Performed by Laura Shigihara, the song -- which will no doubt be stuck in your brain forever -- is available for download at our sister site BigDownload in both English and Japanese flavors. We dare you to try and hate it.
Video: Plants vs Zombies vs Our Undying Affection
There are a few strings on our heart that, upon plucking, unlock our eternal love. It's kind of like the Konami code, except instead of finishing Contra, you get some weird dudes hanging outside your house at night, breathing deeply. Well, PopCap Games, we hope you have Brinks or something because taking cute, living plants and combining them with cute, undead zombies means that we'll forever love you. We know we said that after Peggle, but we're super serious this time.Of course, none of these things are in the latest trailer for Plants vs Zombies, which is a viral video used to promote the title. Still, it's kind of funny, if only to see a zombie file things outside of the "braaains" category.
Midnight movie: Plants vs. Zombies, the music video
In the battle to determine which is more bizarre -- a game about plants battling zombies or a music video about a game where plants battle zombies -- the latter has prevailed. Ladies and gentlemen, for tonight's bedtime snack we present Plants vs. Zombies: The Music Video, based on PopCap's upcoming (and if you hadn't guessed, totally weird) tower defense game for PC ... Plants vs. Zombies.What's your favorite part? The zombies with butter on their heads? The zombie dolphins? The whole mad thing? It takes a company like PopCap -- purveyors of unicorn-infused digital crack like Peggle -- to invent something that just has to be an April Fools' joke but, we swear, totally isn't. Brace yourself, then click through after the break for animated insanity.
PopCap Arcade Vol. 2 includes three games for $20
PopCap Arcade Vol. 2 is hitting stores across North America today for slightly under 20 bucks. This new compilation includes three games from the PopCap library: Peggle, Heavy Weapon and Feeding Frenzy 2. While all three titles are already available on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 ($10) each (2,400/$30 for all), this new retail package will save gamers some cash. The discount seems rather tempting, especially if you haven't yet experienced the magic of Peggle.
PopCap: Digital distribution not quite there, retail still important
Speaking to GI.biz, PopCap Games CEO Dave Roberts shared some thoughts about casual games, digital distribution and the importance of retail. In spite of the recent fervor over digital distribution, Roberts said that PopCap has actually been expanding its retail efforts, even going so far as to become one of the top twenty publishers in North America according to NPD. When asked about digital distribution -- something getting a lot of buzz at this year's GDC -- Roberts said that there is "comfort" in purchasing a retail disc, noting that a "a large percentage of Wal-Mart customers don't even have credit cards." Roberts also believes that brick-and-mortar retailers are looking for ways to expand into the online market. As a successful example of this, Roberts cited pre-paid subscription cards for World of Warcraft, a retail product that's only usable in an online space.Regarding Apple's App Store, Roberts said that it may be getting too large for its own good, stating that Apple will have to "curate" the store in order to make things easier to find. He says that the App Store "will tip itself over if they don't figure that out."Finally, Roberts discusses PopCap's Wii efforts -- the company does have something in the works -- and explains why PopCap games won't be appearing on Amazon's casual download service. Hit the source link for the full interview.
PopCap offering free game for St. Patrick's Day
If you're looking for something to do this St. Patrick's Day (other than the usual projectile vomiting of chartreuse-hued beverages), PopCap has a frugal suggestion -- starting today and running until March 24, the casual gaming juggernaut is offering Big Money, a title which usually retails for £14.95, for, well, no money. If clearing boards of similarly-colored clusters of coins sounds up your alley, you can now download the full title for free. If not, why not be a dear and pass this story along to your Bejeweled-obsessed grandmother? She'd probably love to hear from you.[Via IGN]
Joystiq Review: Peggle Dual Shot
PopCap's Peggle has earned a reputation as The Casual Game It's Okay For Game Journalists To Enjoy. It's almost the perfect casual game, or even the perfect arcade game -- its mechanics can be explained in seconds, and it is possible to have a satisfying play session only a few minutes long, though repea t play is necessary to train in the skills required to succeed in the higher levels and excel in the main game. Really, the only thing that could make Peggle any better is if you could play it anywhere, during any spare time you find. Peggle Dual Shot on the DS, then, needed only to be a competent port of the original to be worth pretty much everyone's time. I'm happy to report that Peggle DS is Peggle, on the DS.
This Wednesday: Peggle, Crystal Defenders & NCAA Basketball MME [update]
PopCap Games' alarmingly addictive Peggle and Square Enix's Crystal Defenders will both be releasing to the Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday, March 11 for 800 ($10) each. That is, if Major Nelson and his podcasting co-host, e, can be trusted (we think so!). This week's Peggle release isn't all that surprising, seeing that a recent press release confirmed a March release, but hearing that Crystal Defenders will complete this Wednesday's XBLA twofer, well ... that's just out of left field. Not that we're complaining or anything, we're just overjoyed that Bjorn will be giving our 360 an incurable case of "Extreme Fever." Update: NCAA Basketball MME is out too! (No demo available.) [Thanks, Liam G.]
We're calling in sick this month with a case of Peggle XBLA
Dear Christopher J. Grant, Consider this email a formal request for time off sometime in the month of March. I'm not sick or anything, I just want to play Peggle. I don't know the exact date that will kick off my vacation, since PopCap hasn't revealed specifically when Peggle will hit the XBLA. However, according to a press release we received last night, we know it's coming out in March. So, expect me to be gone whenever that happens. If, for some reason, Peggle is hit with a case of the Microsoft Certifications (not a real disease) and it doesn't release on the XBLA this month, disregard this email until April, when PopCap will release the Xbox 360 retail disc, PopCap Arcade Volume 2 (which will include Feeding Frenzy 2, Heavy Weapon and of course, Peggle). Don't judge me. I seem to remember a certain website giving Peggle a Game of the Year nod in 2007 and with 4-player multiplayer, how can PopCap go wrong? Besides attempting to charge much more than the rumored (but once confirmed) 800 ($9.99) price tag, of course. Anyway, peace out. Love, Xav de Matos
PopCap following Peggle: Dual Shot with DS Bookworm, Bejeweled Twist
Until now, perhaps the only people to be safe from PopCap Games have been DS owners: we have plenty of excellent, short-session, portable puzzle games that seem to preclude the need to seek out stuff like Peggle. But now Peggle: Dual Shot has found us, and PopCap isn't stopping there. The company told Forbes that it is planning DS versions of Bejeweled Twist, the latest iteration of its hit block puzzle game, and Bookworm, a block/word puzzle game about creating words from fallen tiles, for release this holiday season. No specifics were given, but these two small, casual puzzle games would certainly be killer apps for DSiWare. [Via Shacknews]
PopCap Games empire buys Gastronaut Studios
The ruthless PopCap Games cartel has made Gastronaut Studios an offer (casually, 'cause that's how they roll) it couldn't refuse, acquiring the company through subtle intimidation and an undisclosed cache of treasures from its money bin. Gastronaut is the developer behind XBLA titles Small Arms and the upcoming Gel: Set & Match.PopCap now controls all of Gastronaut's assets, tech and employees, who will begin working on "several undisclosed projects." Gastronaut's founders will retain the rights to Small Arms and Gel. Meanwhile, PopCap is set to release its most psychologically addictive title to date, Peggle, on several platforms soon. Teach your parents about Peggle early -- or prepare to lose them to its sinister grasp.
Zuma coming to PlayStation Store today
More PopCap-flavored casual goodness is coming to the PlayStation Store. Zuma has players shooting brightly colored balls from a stone frog idol in order to match three or more of the same color and clear a deadly chain of spheres. The PS3 version includes full 1080p visuals, Trophy support, and offers Remote Play for use on PSP. The game will be available on the PlayStation Store later today for $9.99.%Gallery-45351%
Get your Peggle fix with this latest trailer
br>PopCap Games has just unleashed a new trailer for the ultimate Peggle experience, Peggle: Dual Shot.
Peggle DS is the ultimate version, says PopCap
Everyone is joining the "ultimate edition" bandwagon. We've heard the term recently used by EA, and now we're hearing it from PopCap's vice president of video game platforms, Greg Canessa. In an interview with Pocket Gamer, Canessa calls Peggle: Dual Shot for the Nintendo DS the "ultimate adaptation of Peggle," and boasts that the DS version has the most content/levels out of any other edition. Apparently, it's "truly tailored to and optimized for the device and the audience." It's not surprising to hear companies push late multiplatform releases as being the "ultimate." After all, there needs to be an incentive for gamers to pick up something which they could've gotten elsewhere before. In the case of portable Peggle, it's already available on iPods and mobile phones. Those still looking to score the ultimate hit, however, can look forward to March 3.
Peggle turf war causes 'Peggie' to change its name
After MTV reported yesterday that some low-grade Peggle clone, called Peggie, was being distributed in the iPhone app store, some associates of kingpin PopCap Games decided to step in. Resorting to a simple cease-and-desist order, PopCap had JSeuss Software change the name of its baking soda-based product to Pegs in Space. PopCap Games has made millions off the casual games trade, creating thousands of Zuma whores and Bejeweled babies. The attack on Peggie probably has to do with the cartel's plans to launch Peggle on iPhone within a couple of months. PopCap needs to make sure the addicts keep hitting the good stuff.
Casual game companies confident about their chances in the recession
Casualgaming.biz asked a who's who of casual games about how they felt the business would get by during the current financial horribleness. As it turns out, the polled companies expect to either weather the crisis or even benefit from it.A representative for PopCap said "When economic times are tough, the most broadly appealing, cost-effective forms of entertainment tend to not only survive – but thrive." This sentiment was echoed by the CEO of Oberon Media. Nickelodeon's Dave Williams, however, sees problems for companies who "need access to outside capital and high valuations to fund growth and investment and/or haven't reached profitability and need cash to fund existing operations." In other words, companies who rely on others' money to make their games. Not that we're Industry Analysts, but we fully expect the casual games industry to do well during this recession. It's pretty simple: these companies make video games -- often very enjoyable ones -- that do not cost sixty dollars.
