Baka of The Gaming Dungeon, takes a look at PopCap and their growth as a developer. From their smash away hit Bejeweled, to their latest Plants Vs. Zombies.

The last decade’s gaming market has become increasingly saturated with “casual” games. These games are catering to a more general demographic beyond the players of more complicated “hardcore” games. Casual gaming is defined by games with a focus on simplicity and accessibility. They can be any genre of game, but are very often puzzle games. Casual games have simplistic rules with a minimal learning curve. They require no lengthy commitment and are usually meant as something straightforward and addictive to pass time. Casual games tend to have very low production value and are cheap or free. A common method is to have a demo version for free with a lengthier copy available for purchase. This, along with over-saturation, has given them a poor reputation in the gaming community. However, many casual games have found popularity among traditional gamers who praise their clever and addictive gameplay. One of the most important companies in the casual gaming market is PopCap. The company makes games with a much higher production value than is normal for casual games.

lwelyk via thegamingdungeon.com »