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The Daily Grind: What do you play while you play?
Let's face it ... sometimes MMOs have their 'slow moments'. Whether it's crafting, lengthy travel times, crafting materials gathering, crafting, endless grind sessions for rep or XP, waiting for guildies at an instance, or crafting, your average MMO player will experience a boring moment or two over the course of their gaming career. If you're anything like the bloggers around here, you'll have eventually realized that you can play two games at once if you put your mind to it. Casual games like the offerings of PopCap or PlayFirst can make the time go past oh-so-much faster. Some titles, like EverQuest, EverQuest 2, and soon Star Wars Galaxies, have their own TCG games embedded within the MMO itself.So what do you play while you play? Are you a Bejeweled fan, maybe a Diner Dash aficionado? Give us your mini-game best shots in the comments!
PopCap promises "coolest collaboration ever"
PopCap are well known for their catalog of casual games, having released a bunch of them on the Live Arcade, and even more via other release channels. So it was no surprise when in an interview with Gamasutra, both the co-founder and CEO reasserted their commitment to continuing to make games that appeal to the widest possible audience. A surprise did come toward the end of the interview though, when it was announced that PopCap is collaborating with a company that has extensive console experience but also highly values casual games. In a fleeting moment of hyperbole, the project was described as "the coolest collaboration ever, I promise," then pulled back to the more reasonable "I'll maintain that it will be one of the top ten collaborations (in gaming)."Whatever it turns out to be, if the co-fonder of the company thinks this highly of any specific project out of all the ones that PopCap oversees, it's quite likely to be good. Or maybe this is all just marketing designed to get us to think that ...
PopCap hints at major console collaboration
Casual game developer PopCap Games continues its slow entry into the console game market, with recent hints suggesting a collaboration with a major console-based game developer. Speaking to Gamasutra, PopCap co-founder John Vechey referred to the unannounced partnership as "the coolest collaboration ever, I promise." Vechey also claims it will go down as one of the top ten collaborations of all time in the industry. Strong words, Mr. Vechey. We anxiously await the formal announcement (or maybe we'll just distract ourselves with Peggle in the meantime).
Mytopia reinvents Yahoo! Games for the MySpace generation
Are casual, social games the wave of the future? In years to come, will we lovers of the swinging sword, the flashing fireball and the gigantic gun be left reminiscing about the "good old days" as we sign on for another evening of massively multiplayer bingo? The makers of Mytopia took a look into their crystal ball, saw the success of MySpace and Facebook and casual-game havens like Popcap, Yahoo! and Neopets and said, "These great tastes... would taste great together!"Thus was born Mytopia, a Flash-based virtual world where you can create your own super-deformed avatar (like Wii's Miis) and play popular board and card games with people from around the world, build friends lists, send email, and gamble away virtual money challenging other players to backgammon, chess, Sudoku and several other similar games. It works not only as a standalone web site, but also as an application you can install in Facebook, MySpace or Bebo. No matter how you arrive in Mytopia, though, you'll be able to play with everyone else -- there's only one game world shared by all.Mytopia has a cheerful art style, bouncy music, and well-rendered board games. What it does not have, though, is bloody avatar fights in the Battledome. Come on. Even Neopets has that.[Via Techcrunch]
Yet more great apps coming for the iPhone
Yesterday we posted about the Apple press release announcing that the SDK had been downloaded more than 100,000 times in four days. It's also worth noting, however, that Apple basically confirmed that several well-known developers are officially supporting the iPhone and bringing some exciting applications to everyone's favorite handheld. In addition to the developers represented on stage at the SDK event, of particular interest are: Intuit (of Quicken fame) which wants "to create powerful iPhone applications." Namco, specifically mentioning Pac Man and, my favorite, Galaga. NetSuite, developer of SuitePhone (CRM software similar to salesforce.com). PopCap games, working on the extremely addicting Peggle as well as classics Bejeweled and Zuma. Six Apart, which is developing an iPhone native TypePad blogging client. In short, it's obvious that the App Store is going to be chock full 'o goodness once June rolls around. Personally, I'm slightly worried that with Peggle and Galaga on my iPhone I'll never get anything done.
iPhone SDK downloads exceed 100,000, upcoming games get outed
Just four days after Apple announced that the beta version of the iPhone SDK would be available to developers, some 100,000 downloads have taken place. 'Course, it's not like we're shocked by Cupertino's latest horn tooting, but we've all ideas that number pales in comparison to the amount of requests for unlocks. Nevertheless, the real news from the Apple camp is that companies such as Namco and PopCap are apparently on board to bring titles such as Pac-man, Galaga, Bejeweled, Zuma and Peggle to the iPod touch / iPhone via App Store. Furthermore, Six Apart's CEO admitted that it's already developing a "native iPhone application for TypePad," and the VP of THQ Wireless implied that we'd be seeing some of its wares surface here as well. As for release dates? Your guess is as good as ours.
PopCap bringing Heavy Weapon, Zuma to PS2 on a single disc
The move from free internet diversion to retail is a daunting leap, yet PopCap has decided to swing across the chasm one more time, announcing a follow-up to last year's PopCap Hits for the PlayStation 2. While 2007's release included a pair of puzzlers in Bejeweled 2 and AstroPop, the sequel, planned for release sometime in June, will change things up a bit, partnering Zuma with the whimsical action sidescroller Heavy Weapon on a single disc. And if that doesn't churn your butter, PopCap has promised a handful of lukewarm extras, chiefly in the form of development histories and tips, meaning the colorblind among us can rest easy knowing that we won't be burning up the phone bill calling the hint line for tips on how to master Zuma's ever-elusive chains. Still, it's impossible to get too worked up about this release, especially given the $19.95 asking price for what we can try -- and get our fill of -- for free through the magic of the world wide web.
XBLA Peggle will support downloadable content
PopCap Games' almost, nearly, okay it's just like crack Peggle is headed to the XBLA sometime in the near future and with the addition of some form of multiplayer, we're happy campers. And thanks to 1UP, we have yet another reason to be excited for the XBLA version of Peggle ... downloadable content! That's right, our future Peggle addiction will technically be limitless with confirmation from PopCap that the game will definitely support downloadable levels off the XBLM. No word on pricing details or how much DLC is planned (the game hasn't released yet, be patient), but we're not in the game of specifics when dealing with Peggle. We'll pay anything for more crack Peggle fun. Give us our crack Peggle now!
Outdoing WoW at its own game
Yesterday, Tobold made a post concerning the question of whether or not World of Warcraft can be, well, "out-WoWed" -- as he puts it. The game he proceeds to create via his list o' features is aimed at an even more casual audience than the one already playing in Azeroth. After reading through the list and considering its intent to draw in a much more casual market, we sort of feel confused.
XBLA Peggle gets multiplayer, 'online modes and features'
And if you don't think we're taking all the credit, we can settle this over a one-on-one multiplayer round of Peggle when it hits XBLA in Q2 this year. You see, when we called Peggle one of the best games of 2007 we closed by suggesting, "Maybe Peggle 2 will include some sort of Internet play option. PopCap ... you listening?" Evidently, not only were they listening, they were taking notes and – just to throw doubters off our scent – they're adding multiplayer functionality to Peggle 1! In an interview done by the folks at Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog – powered by questions from Evil Avatar – PopCap's Greg Canessa confirms that the XBLA release will include "online modes and features" including multiplayer, but didn't offer any specifics short of that (co-op? versus?). You can check out the video after the break to hear it for yourself (scrub ahead to 2:40 to catch Greg's comments). Consider us pleased ... just send that royalty check over to our offices at 1337 Joystiq Way, alright PopCap? [Via X3F]
PopCap unconfirms Peggle DS
Following the supposed confirmation of a DS release of Peggle, PopCap VP Greg Canessa has carefully denied the existence of the project. "Nintendo has not approved this product, we have not signed a developer to port Peggle to DS, and we have not green lighted this project," Canessa told Shacknews. His statement ended with "This is a perfect example of why our company policy is to not comment on future plans until they're finalized."So at least we know that PopCap or whichever outsourced developer has yet to start making Peggle DS. The plans have yet to be finalized. Does that mean there are no plans? Absolutely not. At no point did Canessa say that a DS Peggle wasn't happening, or that there were no such plans. Which means there totally are. Or, if there weren't before, there totally are now.
PopCap denies Peggle DS 'rumor'
Not so fast peg-pounding pellet paramours! PopCap has promptly pulled the plug on PocketGamer's proof of Peggle for DS. Pop! Poof! Phizzle ... ya dig? PopCap VP of Video Game Platforms Greg Canessa issued a brief statement via press release today, claiming the ol' rumor mill has kicked into "overdrive." "We have ambitious plans for many of our titles including Peggle, and are eager to bring its peg-popping pleasures to as many appropriate platforms and devices as possible," said Canessa, "But Nintendo has not approved this product, we have not signed a developer to port Peggle to DS, and we have not green lighted this project."
Peggle falling into the DS
PopCap's Peggle is a ridiculously popular pachinko-esque puzzle game about bouncing balls around on pegs. It's so well-regarded that it made Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007. A version was also included in The Orange Box for PC, which makes it "okay" for professed hardcore gamers to enjoy it. PopCap's John Vechey told Pocket Gamer that after the game's Xbox Live Arcade port is released, a DS version would be on the way. He didn't give any details about the release other than that there would be one, and we don't know when or for what region it's coming out. [Via GoNintendo]
Peggle on your iPod
It would seem that I am on a mission to completely derail any chance I have to properly prepare for Macworld. First I decide to perform a brain transplant on my MacBook Pro, and now I find myself playing Peggle like a mad man.We first covered Peggle last month, when a Mac native version was released by PopCap. Not content to merely suck all your time at your Mac away, the fine folks at PopCap have released Peggle as an iPod game as well. It costs $5.99 on the iTunes Store, but it will cost you much, much more in the way of lost productivity. Even the Wall Street Journal likes this game, though I am not sure when the WSJ started reviewing iPod games.The full Mac version will cost you $19.99, but that includes lots of rainbows and a talking unicorn so really it is a steal at any price.
PopCap's Peggle confirmed for XBLA
The ESRB's on-going quest to free cats from their cruel bag prisons has prompted another and surprisingly quick confirmation -- Peggle is indeed on its way to Xbox Live Arcade. Shacknews reports that interactive drug peddler, PopCap, has tentative plans to expose Xbox 360 owners to the Pachinko-like substance in Q2 2008. Coupled with PC, Mac and iPod versions, it seems there's simply no escaping the addictive power of unicorns.
ESRB rates Peggle, Bust-a-Move and Bliss Island for Xbox 360
Get ready to experience Joystiq's #8 game of the year Peggle on your Xbox 360. A search of the latest ESRB ratings revealed that casual games Peggle, Ultra Bust-a-Move and Bliss Island were all rated for Xbox 360. Now one could infer that this means the games will be XBLA titles, but they could very well be retail products and Ultra Bust-a-Move may be an Xbox Original. There is currently no release information, just that the games have been rated M ... no, kidding, they were rated E. Although that gives us the horrible idea for Peggle with adult themes and noises, perhaps with the orange pegs being cherries -- think about it.[Update: Peggle has been confirmed for XBLA.]
Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Peggle
The most surprising game of the year doesn't have fancy 3-D graphics. It doesn't require a new generation console and it doesn't involve waggling a fancy motion-sensitive controller. It doesn't involve killing anything (not even in the cutesy, Mario-jumps-on-a-Goomba sense of the word "kill") and it doesn't have any gritty, street-smart characters voiced by today's hottest celebrities. None of that is really surprising in its own right – plenty of casual games fit the same criteria. What's really surprising about Peggle is how insanely, addictively fun it is. Like the best puzzle games, Peggle can be explained in a single sentence: Bounce balls off pegs; destroy all the orange ones to win. The game doesn't require a lengthy tutorial or instruction booklet, just an intuitive grasp of physics and gravity to plan where your ball will bounce. The instant accessibility is aided by excellent graphic and sound design -- pegs burst in explosions of color and sound, culminating in a level-clearing rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy that can't help but bring a smile to even the most cynical gamer's face. Some might argue that this simplicity never gives way to a deeper strategy -- that the game takes a minute to learn but only two or so minutes to master. These people have probably only played the game for those two or so minutes, though, as the imaginative peg arrangement in the later of the game's 100 or so levels require some incredible planning and imaginative use of special powers (not to mention the 60 or so unlockable "challenge" boards, some of which are nigh impossible). While Peggle beginners might only plan one or two bounces ahead, expert Peggle players, much like chess grandmasters, can generally see the shape of a shot through dozens of bounces. After one particular, eight-hour, late-night session with the game, we could swear we had entered a zen-like state where every slight deflection of the ball seemed pre-ordained (of course, the cold medication running through our veins could have also contributed to this feeling). If you still don't believe Peggle takes any skill, then we humbly challenge you to an editorial-we-on-one Peggle duel. These duels are where Peggle continues to shine long after the single-player game is done, with new strategies enabling a new level of unpredicatability and human fallibity to come into play. Of course, dueling currently works only on a single computer, so duels with random internet doubters will probably be hard to coordinate. Maybe Peggle 2 will include some sort of Internet play option. PopCap ... you listening? %Gallery-12465% Oh please sir, do you have any coin? ->
Two new Mac games: Bomberman and Peggle
Boy, it seems like everyone was waiting for me to write up my gift guide before releasing some interesting Mac games this year. First Horde of Orcs comes out, then Sonic of all things appears on the iPod, and now here's two more fun gaming experiences appearing on the Mac.First, our sister gaming blog Joystiq reports that PopCap's crack casual game Peggle has appeared for OS X, and just like most of PopCap's games, it's so addictive it should probably be regulated by pharmacologists. It's a universal binary, too, and right now it's only $10 (50% off from a sale on PopCap's site). Be prepared to disappear from your relatives for long stretches of time over the holidays, though-- anyone who can only play one round of this at a time is either not human or just in serious trouble with their spouse.And MacNN reports that Bomberman has now appeared on iTunes as well. Hudson Software has produced an official port that features an "intuitive control scheme" (that I'd be interested to see), an exclusive boss stage for the iPod, and the option to play the game's music or your own during gameplay. Wild. That game is $5 and available as a download from iTunes.It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas for Mac gamers-- turns out there may be more underneath the tree than we hoped earlier in the year.
Peggle (finally) coming to Mac
In Peggle parlance, Popcap Games has just landed a very nice rebound shot, knocking out two hits in one day and launching us into a state of "Extreme Fever." In layman's terms, Popcap has just announced the launch of Peggle for Mac OS X, closely following the game's release on Apple's iPod music player. Identical to the PC-version, Peggle Deluxe on Mac features 55 levels of Pachinko-inspired, ball-bouncing, peg-busting mayhem. Unlike recent Mac ports like Guitar Hero III and GameTap, the release is Universal Binary, meaning it's compatible with Intel Macs, as well as older Power PC Macs. Also releasing today for the Mac is Popcap's classic puzzle game Chuzzle, a match-three casual title originally released in 2005. Now all we need is Bookworm Adventures on the Mac and we'll be set for life.
Sonic the Hedgehog and Peggle come to iPod
Two new games are available on the iPod today, and they couldn't be any more opposite of each other. One is perfectly suited to the iPod's limited controls, and was practically built to be played with the circular click wheel. The other... well... not so much.The original Sonic the Hedgehog is now available for the iPod, featuring the full Sega Genesis classic, as well as the option to replace the game's seminal tunes with your own crappy music. We love Sonic and all, but the platforming precision required to play through this title will most likely not prove conducive to the iPod's click wheel and buttons. We expect much cramping and cursing.Contrast this with Peggle, Popcap's ever-so-excellent casual game offering, and the other game now playable on the iPod. Of the two, Peggle's much more suited to the format, and could easily become one of the best games available for the music player. Both titles are now available for purchase through the iTunes Music Store for $4.99 USD each, and are compatible with the 3G iPod Nano, the 5G iPod, and the iPod Classic.Read - Sonic press releaseRead - Peggle press release
