Popcap

Popcap
Biography
    Pop Cap Games is a developer and publisher of casual games. It is established in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka, headquartered in the United States, Seattle, and global R & D base set up in Shanghai, San Francisco and Vancouver. The famous game of Pop Cap is Bejeweled. Bejeweled is a casual game to eliminate gems. This game won the CGW Hall of Fame in 2002. Pop Cap continues to create different game styles and develop new markets. Their goal is to let all ages to feel happy from game!
    In July 2011, Pop Cap was acquired by EA.
http://www.popcap.com/
Historical journey development:
At the first, this company was named Sexy Action Cool, and their first game is named Foxy Poker; this is a strip poker game, and there will be some shelter in order to avoid exposure in the end. The company tried to sell it to EA and MSN (priced at $60 thousand and $30 thousand) when the game was completion, but no one shown any interest in it.
3 or 4 months later, they developed the Peggle game prototype, and then it took two years to complete it. They wanted to name the game Thunder ball at first. Because this is from the Nordic myth, Unicorn and classic music were also included at the beginning. Actually, this game was named Pego, but the company was worry about domain affected by Pogo.com, so they gave up.
    About Plants vs. Zombies, this is also just a tentative name at first. They wanted to name it Dead Lawn, but it was rejected by Romero George. Then they spent a lot of time discussing the name of the game, including Morticulture, Doom 'n' Bloom, etc. But in the end the game was finished after 3 and half years by a team (only 5 to 6 people) and named it: Plants vs Zombies.
   
   Pop Cap spokesman talked about how they're trying to fit into a social game. And they want to avoid such opportunistic like other companies. They hopes people can find interesting when they are playing their game, because they are very interesting and Pop Cap want to share these ideas. They believe that the key of company’s development is to maintain the growth of “original cultural ability". And Pop Cap encourages employees to contribute to this. All market sales are completely independent; the studio itself is only responsible for the production of the game. Pop Cap promises to make truly outstanding games no matter how much time may be spent. The spokesman said the corporate finance will also be more efficient.
     
Throughout the game field, especially in the field of casual games, no one company can compare with Pop Cap games. A data is that a popular game Bejeweled has sold more than 50 million pieces, with sales up to $3 billion since the 2001 release (statistics as of August 2008).   
Pop Cap is famous for its various novel and innovative games. Its development of casual games won the love of even the majority of non-gamer. The company's first game Bejeweled is a blockbuster. After that, Pop Cap developed a variety of popular games, Like Zuma and Plants vs. Zombies. Novelty is the Holy Grail of Pop Cap games. However in recent years, Pop Cap Company gradually deviated from the core platform and mainstream gaming crowd. First, Pop Cap began to publish games on a variety of gaming platforms.
 
At the beginning of the establishment of the company, Pop Cap game is mainly published games on the PC and Mac platform. Now, people can enjoy Pop Cap games on Steam and MSN or any others.  At the same time their games can also be salad in WAL-MART, Target and GameStop and other large markets. Such a wide range of marketing is also a major factor in the achievement of Pop Cap games. For marketing, Pop Cap also hope test of social games and other different marketing models in the new market.
Also, employees love their work; whole day of Pop Cap is not just in the office. With its headquarters located in the beautiful Seattle, they embrace diversity to make the best game and a lot of staffs planning and activities, they’re not just kidding - they have a lot of fun. At the same time of people talk about how to make good models of game’s development, the basic principles "Good game cannot be copied" are often ignored.
Ten years later, Pop Cap’s revenue composition has changed dramatically. Desktop game sales accounted for the proportion of total revenue fell to 40% for the first time while the proportion of Mobile Games rose to 30%. In addition the network and platform games (such as Xbox Live Arcade and SONY PlayStation network, etc.) accounted for 15% of the total revenue. In this regard, Robert said that Pop cap’s game is also adapted to the smart phone platform. Apple reported the company's two most popular game Bejeweled 2 and plant vs zombies are on the list of 2010 best-selling iPhone / iPod touch paid games. Among them, Plants vs. Zombies are also on the list of the top 10 bestselling iPad games.
It is worth mentioning that the Pop Cap Company is very focused on the development of the Chinese market. Pop Cap set up a company in Shanghai as early as 2008 (in addition to offices in Dublin, Ireland, and San Francisco). The Chinese game players are also obsessed with Pop Cap games. The plants vs. Zombies and Zuma are more successful in China, and have appeared roles of the plants vs zombies even in toothpaste ads.
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20101001/how-i-did-it-john-vechey-founder-of-popcap.html
http://wenku.baidu.com/link?url=2yqkxOhkt-nYSIcmpER1L2x4AovxUtWyTw9twijF9HrTUtQxVm2AJyq9ZiKPXD9tIoLD0w6qwf_fcE8GcDKmVw8_QVpp2zBlqPTaw-FzilC
The origin company:
https://www.jesperjuul.net/text/swapadjacent/
In the first two years of Pop cap, there are 3 young guys work for it. In the Purdue University (University Purdue), there is two students are planning to make their first pot of gold. Vechey John dreamed of becoming a movie producer, and he found his friend Brian Fiete who is studying computer courses. Because in the time Internet is in a period of rapid rise, so they want to take advantage of this opportunity to develop an online game and sell them to the rich game website. In the process of making this action game ARC, they are looking for Kapalka. Jason a studying English literature master of Alberta University (University of Alberta). These three guys together to complete their first game Arc, and successfully sold it to the game company.
    After graduating from college, they went their separate ways: Jason successfully obtained a master's degree. At first he wrote column for the earliest game magazine of United States Computer Gaming world. Soon later he joined Pogo the online gaming site of EA. He produced dozens of small games for the famous site as a producer. His works have been played by about 6,000,000 people According to himself. Brian and John worked in WON after Purdue University. This is an online game site belonging to Entertainment Sierra. Brian produced an English word puzzle game - Word ox in WON. John did not even give up his dream of the film; in the work he completed 7 short films.
Until 2000, the golden age of Internet was coming. These three people were together again at the time, they both of Pogo and WON have big internet company’s support. In EA and Sierra Entertainment’s opinion the online game will be a huge market, but it was too small on that time, so they decided to quit their jobs and set up a company to Specialize in the production of casual games for all groups of people. The first problem in front of the 3 people is neither the market nor technology, but how to give the newborn baby a good name.
The first name they thought was beyond all expectations. "Action Cool Sexy" (sexy, action cool), it was inspired by the movie ads on the bus and was originally used to describe the Banderas Antonio’s film Desperado (1995). But this name was too easy to make people think of T or M level content, and it was too far from their target. At last they thought of the word "Popular" (POP). Then left a position of “Pop” in the company's name. Then they began to watch the dictionary to find and Pop related words, then they stopped in front of "Cap Pop". Cap actually means "cap". The word evoked memories of their childhood playing games, so it was determined. If you don't understand what the logo is, the answer is: a magic soda bottle.
Present situation and future development:
http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/03/gdc-11-popcap-bring-casual-fun-ios
    We have been accustomed to a slow mode: “Concentrated power, take a few years, develop a high quality game, push to the market, mission completed”, James Gretzman said.
    4 years ago, James came to china alone. He found that the Chinese Mobile game Market is very difficult to control. Of course, non-smart phones are the mainstream of the market, it seems impossible to make a game on the mobile device. "IPhone changed everything", James said. The game is attempted to succeed on the world's largest social networking site Facebook. In April 2010, bejeweled: lightning storm began to pay to download. Now, the game is the top 20 in the Facebook Game App list, with 12 million active users. Pop cap hoped that such a success can be copied in China. In August 2010, they had been prepared to do the finally shot in China with four years’ prepare. Announced the partnership with the Renren a Chinese network company.
    There is an unwritten rule in Pop cap. Before publishment of a game, it needs to be measured by at least 30 employees, if it didn’t pass, the plan will be canceled. After James's "beard's promise", there are 20 people on Shanghai development team have begun to shave. Although the progress is relatively slow, however, James believes that the socialization of the game is inevitable.
http://www.geekwire.com/2014/popcap-layoffs/
    American science and technology website Geek Wire reported that EA will acquire Pop Cap games. After that Pop Cap co-founder John veich and EA executive vice president and general manager, Barry Kort accepted Geek Wire’s interview.
    Vecchi think this is a combination of important significance; it will bring a profound impact on the next ten years. First of all, the EA can promote the objectives of the Pop Cap. The two sides have a lot of strategic fit point. They are able to achieve complementary advantages. The scale of EA can promote the expansion of Pop Cap’s business. Secondly, EA is also committed to the development of the game business, and hope to launch good game products. There are many similarities between the two sides in the corporate culture. This is also an important determinant. After completion of the acquisition. EA firm commitment will support the growth of Pop Cap; So EA will continue to invest in the company, instead of cutting costs.
    EA believe that Pop Cap can develop outstanding game products in the future. It will lay a solid foundation for EA games. EA will make a lot of investment, and will not require something for Pop Cap next year, there will be 30 intellectual property rights, but want to be able to launch high-quality game products. Promote the expansion of the intellectual property rights of Pop Cap casual games. This will be an important factor in the success of the future.
    Aiming at the marketing mode, Pop Cap also hopes to test different marketing models in new markets such as social games. So Pop Tower is on the use of free games, virtual currency shopping business model for the Japanese players. And South Korea's Pop Cap World is also in the free game based on the integration of a variety of pay elements. Also, in the field of casual games, Pop Cap faces a lot of competitive rivals. The first is the casual games company Big Fish Games (the company's revenue is expected to reach $130 million in 2010). However, along with the Pop Cap gradually into the mobile phone games, the future of Zynga, Electronic Arts and other companies will also be extended to compete with Pop cap.
Related works:
   
http://www.popcap.com/all-games
Chuzzle: A refreshing feeling game. Lovely styling and sound effects are combined very well. There are four game modes will keep players playing for a long time. My most favorite one is unlimited mode. I often indulge in them and forget the passage of time. I founded that the hitting the small chuzzle can make it convex and hitting the big one will shocked it to open mouth.
   
http://www.chuzzle.com/
Peggle: This is a strange Kingdom; we are living with many kinds of lovely creatures.The sun rises with Grieg's "morning". Animals are waiting for showing their abilities to compete for the title of the magic ball. When it's time to win, the melody of “The Ode to Joy” will play for it.The fun of the game is a well-crafted character, challenging Challenges and a battle mode. In fact, no matter what the challenge, try several times will past; don’t need to think too much. Sometimes feel that luck is indeed very important.

http://www.popcap.com/peggle-1
Peggle Nights: Peggle’s sequel. The background turns into night this time. The game adds new levels and more interesting challenges.
   
http://www.popcap.com/peggle-nights
Talismania: This game let me play for five hours of the game a day. And finally I touched some of the tricks and established a gold palace belongs to me. The Olympus looks like a playground. The plot of the game is from the Greek mythology. However, these gods and King became cute version. The Midas was painted as turtle master. There are only the eight main gods of Greek mythology on game, no Athena and Apollo?
   
https://www.popcap.com/sites/www.popcap.com/prettypkg/games/talismania/flash/1033/talismania.html?env=live&lcid=1033
Bejeweled 2: Classic gem elimination game. Compared with Bejeweled, the picture is more dazzling. I particularly like the time tunnel after game clearance. The game mode is similar to Chuzzle. The recommended modes are puzzle and endless. Don't have to go to the pursuit of high marks, feeling of the light of these precious gems is also a kind of enjoy.

http://zone.msn.com/en/bejeweled2/
Bejeweled twist:  Bejeweled fans cannot be missed. Unlimited rotation play will make you don’t die so easily. Pop cap sodded a lot of new elements in the game. It doesn't look like Pop Cap’s work anymore because of the aureate pictures. But still very playable.
   
http://www.popcap.com/sites/www.popcap.com/prettypkg/games/bejeweledtwist/flash/1033/bejeweledtwist.html
Hammer Heads: It’s really easy to fail when you start this game. And you will become more and more skilled by gradually mattered the rules. The hammer on shop is very important. It is an indispensable tool for you to clear this game. The game is very fun, and often makes me have the feeling of winning the award.
   
http://www.gamehouse.com/download-games/hammer-heads
Insaniquarium: A very relaxed and humorous picture, music also is a Chinese style. Your mission is growing aquarium, earn coins, and respond to the monster invasion. Fun is increasing with the development of aquarium. You have to follow the law of food chain, use reasonable tactics to reach clearance. In a virtual aquarium players can buy all kinds of rare fish, and also can set the desktop screensaver. This game is the development of the concept of Pop Cap: the perfect combination of originality, leisure and play.
   
http://www.popcap.com/insaniquarium
Heavy weapon: Frank, hot, very challenging.2D picture design let people vaguely feel back to FC classic era. If you feel it’s not easy to pass. So to believe: practice makes perfect. This is the only shooting game by Pop Cap, but they did as well as any other their works.
   
http://www.popcap.com/heavy-weapon
Venice: Music is great, it’s fit with the nostalgic thoughts of game. Travel mode has 70 stages, and they are very simple, just a little longer. It will unlock flood and trick mode after clearance, you should feel more interesting. Together with the magnificent buildings and the poets, you should feel like that you back to the ancient city of Venice.
   
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice_(video_game)
Seven Seas: It is a very challenging SLG game. Players need to think carefully to through more stages. Music of this game can make people think about the beyond period of pirate.
   
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mvt.gnik.seas
Bookworm Adventures: It is a very interesting puzzle game. RPG adventure mode makes the game more intense and exciting. Of course, players need a certain English foundation to play. If you stick to it, I believe it will give you the benefits and fun.
    
http://www.popcap.com/bookworm-adventures
Pixelus: It is a little similar to the pushing box puzzle game. The same as Pop cap’s other works, the character design is very cute, and the music is very easy to play. They are suitable for this game. you need to be patient to play this game, because it is a little difficult.
   
http://www.gamehouse.com/download-games/pixelus
Rocket Mania: The game model is a combination of connecting water pipes and launch rocket fireworks. The setting of Chinese style often make people feel warm, the cheers can bring the joy of success after the rocket lift off.
   
http://www.gamehouse.com/download-games/rocket-mania
Feeding Frenzy 2: Extremely simple rules of the game but have an extraordinary pleasure, this is the point to attract people by Pop cap! The story of this game is very rich. It is easy to operate and suitable for all ages.

http://www.gamehouse.com/download-games/feeding-frenzy-2
Plants vs. Zombies: It is an amazing game of Pop cap following with Insaniquarium! In the game, the terrible zombies are about to invade. Players intercepted zombies on the way of plants. Players can plant different varieties of plants, and can also switch the different functions of plants; the goal is to protect the lawn.
http://www.popcap.com/plants-vs-zombies
List of games:
Alchemy, AmazingAdventures-AroundtheWorld, AmazingAdventures-TheCaribbeanSecret, AmazingAdventures-TheLostTomb, AstroPop, Atomica, Bejeweled, BejeweledBlitz, Bejeweled2, Bejeweled3, BejeweledTwist, BigMoney!, Bonnie'sBookstore, Bookworm, BookwormAdventures, BookwormAdventuresVolume2, Chuzzle, CosmicBugs, EscapeRosecliffIsland, FeedingFrenzy, FeedingFrenzy2, HammerHeads, HeavyWeapon, HiddenIdentity-ChicagoBlackout, IgglePop!, Insaniquarium, MahjongEscape:AncientChina, MahjongEscape:AncientJapan, MysteryP.I.:LostinL.A., MysteryP.I.:NewYorkFortune, MysteryP.I.:TheLotteryTicket, MysteryP.I.:TheVegasHeist, MysteryP.I.:TheLondonCaper, MummyMaze, MysterySolitaire*, NingPoMahJong, Noah'sArk, Peggle, PeggleNights, Pixelus, PizzaFrenzy, PlantsvsZombie, RocketMania!, SevenSeas, Talismania, TheWizard'sPen, TipTop, TyperShark!, Venice, Waterbugs, WordHarmony, Zuma, Zuma'sRevenge!, Plantsvs.Zombies2:It'sAboutTime, PlantsvsZombie:Aadventure, PlantsvsZombie:GardenWarfare.