When Square Enix and PopCap Games combined their strengths to create a new game, the result was Gyromancer. The puzzle RPG was announced in TGS 2009 back in September and redefined the tried, tested, and often cloned Bejeweled. But what we didn't know was that there were other games on that negotiating table - among them, Zuma and Peggle.

On one hand, we've got PopCap Games, known for its highly addictive puzzle games that spawned clones all over. On the other, there's the prolific RPG master, Square Enix. What happens when those two team up and merge their specialties? That's where this new game comes out of - Gyromancer, a new puzzle RPG coming to Xbox Live Arcade and PC.

There seems to have been some confusion over what platforms Puzzle Quest: Galactrix will be made available on. If life were simpler, you'd think they would have wanted it across all platforms, just like the treatment they gave to Puzzle Quest: Warlords. But apparently, it's not. And life is never simple.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Forget it. Play a round of Bejeweled instead. According to a new study, casual games are proven to be beneficial for your health. Details in the full article.

 The video game industry is undoubtedly dominated by males, but we do know that gaming is not just a big frat house. Female gamers do exist, and like the opposite gender, they come in different shapes, sizes and forms. If you do your homework, you'll also notice that girl gamers have distinct traits which allow us to divide them into several types (just like guys). In this QuickList, we'll give you a rundown on what these types are. Hit that jump!

Xbox Live Arcade hits like Bejeweled 2 and Zuma are injecting their addictive juices into retail shelves this November 15. PopCap Games just announced PopCap Arcade Volume 1 for the Xbox 360. This bundle will retail for US$ 29.95 and will include the following: Bejeweled 2, Astropop, Feeding Frenzy, and Zuma.

The casual game developer has also announced the same bundle (minus Feeding Frenzy and Zuma) for the PS2 and will be releasing it simultaneously with the 360 version under the name of PopCap Hits Volume 1 for US$ 19.95. Glenn Drover from Popcap had this to say about the release of the retail bundles:

We're very excited to be bringing some of our top million-selling casual games to consoles via retail shelves, and eager to see how consumers respond. We've had tremendous success at retail with the PC versions of many of our games, and these new collections for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 are priced even more aggressively, so they should be a hit with holiday shoppers.

Considering that the game pack is being released as a "Volume 1", you can probably expect future volumes to appear - Volume 2, Volume 3, and onwards. PopCap sure has enough games in its library to come out with a couple of more volumes. Meanwhile, those who haven't gotten the games on XBLA better get ready for some sleepless night once these bundles hit shelves next month.

 

Yeah, yeah, you've read the studies, it's likely that casual gamers are your mothers, so no need to go into the gamers. Money-wise though, this means that Casual Games are big business at the moment. Not to pass-up an opportunity to make a profit, Microsoft has launched a new casual games website.

The site boasts what they claim to be over 400 games in every major genre possible. Of course these figures include games on Xbox Live, MSN Games, and games over Windows Live Messenger. Here's what Microsoft had to say in their Casual Games Fact Sheet:

The casual games space is growing at an unprecedented rate, and Microsoft has emerged as an undisputed leader in multiple-platform casual offerings, with more than 10 years of experience in the space. According to DFC Intelligence, revenue from casual games is expected to grow from $713 million (U.S.) in 2005 to $1.56 billion(U.S.) in 2008, fueled by the global appeal of games such as Bejeweled, Hexic, Diner Dash and Bespelled.

Check out the site yourself if you wish, just click on our "read" link below.

Casual games: small things employees play when they're bored at work.

If you happen to be among the millions of people who have been drawn into the addiction which is Zuma (or Bejeweled, or Feeding Frenzy, or Bookworm...), then brush up on those aiming skills. You may be seeing more of those on your Xbox 360.

After having just released Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank over XBLA, the casual games developer PopCap games have expressed that they will be making more releases in the same manner. According to their communications director, Garth Chouteau:

There are of course other titles in the works for XBLA, and based on the success of the four titles we have released to date, in addition to the new one yesterday with Heavy Weapon, I think that it's safe to say that other PopCap titles will make their way to the service.

He also adds that he "expect to see additional XBLA titles from us to show up this year."

So yes, for 2007, you can expect to either have even MORE sleepless nights because you're finishing the last level of Bejeweled, or too much sleep since the other members of your family won't let go of the controller becaus of Zuma...

We could simply use phrases like "a blast from the past" or "good old times." But it definitely felt more than those when it comes to Microsoft's pre-TGS event. The recent months saw Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) being overwhelmed by possible game pitches. Well it seems today, they've gotten over the feeling and are once again ready to roll.

As proof, a sort video, or should we call it a montage, was released. The more than 1 minute clip showcases classics such as Pac-man, Galaga, Marble Blast Ultra, Bejeweled and a whole lot of others. The montage actually is so fast, we missed quite a few title. We're making the video available for download and we are kind of hoping, you guys can help us determine some of the games.
 
After seeing the montage, you'll be joining us in saying that above mentioned phrases wouldn't just suffice. We were thinking for an appropriate description and we couldn't come out with any save for "happy days."

Download: [XBLA Arcade Montage]

The third installment of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter on the Xbox 360, otherwise known as GRAW, has proved to be such a hit that Microsoft's decided to include it in one of their premium bundles!

The premium bundle, priced at $399.99, includes a 360, a copy of GRAW and a trial (one-month) membership for Xbox Live Gold. This gives lucky buyers access to Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged games such as Geometry Wars Evolved, Bejeweled 2 Deluxe, Wik: Fable of Souls, Hardwood Backgammon, Outpost Kaloki X and Texas Hold'em.

The word's that it will be out come the 30th of this September, so be sure to grab one once it hits those store shelves!