Popcap Games

Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Popcap Games shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Popcap Games offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Popcap Games at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Popcap Games? Wrong! If the Popcap Games is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Popcap Games then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Popcap Games? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Popcap Games and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Popcap Games wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Popcap Games then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Popcap Games site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Popcap Games, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Popcap Games, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox Company| company_name = PopCap Games| company_logo = | company_type = Public company| foundation = Seattle (2000)] video game developer and publisher, based in Seattle, Washington, United States. PopCap Games was founded in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka. It currently employs just under 100 people. Most of Popcap's games can be played in a limited form for free, either online or as a trial download, with the full version available for a fee.

PopCap’s games have been downloaded more than 150 million times, and its flagship title Bejeweled has sold more than 5 million units across all major platforms. PopCap games are available for Web, PC and Mac, Xbox, Xbox 360, cell-phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. PopCap also runs a developer program to provide an opportunity for independent game developers to create and spread their games.

History 2000-July 2007: Beginning, the premium game developer PopCap Games was originally founded by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka in 2000. They wanted to create games, firstly by learning from other Internet gaming sites. Their first game was Bejeweled, a huge-hit gem-swapping game, supported on all major platforms and it was awarded by Computer Gaming World Hall Of Fame in 2002.

The company expanded in 2005 with the acquisition of Sprout Games, a Seattle-based casual games developer company like PopCap Games. Sprout Games is the creator of the game Feeding Frenzy. The Sprout team subsequently moved to Seattle and helped PopCap to make a sequel to the hit game, Feeding Frenzy 2.

On August 22 2006, it was announced on Valve software's Web site that PopCap Games had entered into an agreement with Valve software to deliver PopCap's games via Valve's Steam (content delivery) content delivery system. Beginning on August 30 2006, 17 of PopCap's products became available via Steam. In keeping with PopCap tradition, each PopCap game offered via Steam is available for a free trial period as well as for purchase.

July 2007-present: Changing, the casual game distributor PopCap began another round of expansion in July 2007 by buying other casual game developers including the creators of an online consumer portal, SpinTop Games. Just a week beforehand the company acquired the Chicago-based development house Retro64 which is best known for their retro-arcade action and puzzle titles.

After these acquisitions in 2007:

The PopCap Games Logo was rebranded, dropping the "Games" portion.
PopCap's premium games list in website will now be mixed with other games from other developers/distributors.
Include new DRM-Lock and remove interactive between PopCap's games.

Games PopCap Games are best described as simple, but addictive; game tutorials often take up a single screen with usually just two to three rules displayed. Many games display additional rules as the player progresses in the game, such as information about bonus items. The games each feature unique design and story/concept.

Most games run both with or without hardware acceleration, are usually controllable with the mouse, and often feature various game modes based on the same concept (although in many cases, this is just the introduction of a time limit).

Awards According to the official company website, PopCap Games has won at least 19 industry awards, including Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame status for Bejeweled.

Music Games generally use tracker music as soundtracks, often written by Future Crew members Jonne Valtonen and Peter Hajba. Two exceptions are Talismania, which featured an ethnically Music of Greece soundtrack with a modern twist, and Peggle, which featured an easy listening soundtrack (as well as a choir passage of Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)), both by Somatone Productions.

References

Trivia

Deluxe brand used in PopCap's games which is order to separate them with the Online Flash version.
Glu also makes Zuma and Insaniquarium for mobile phones.
Companies acquired: Sprout, SpinTop and Retro64.