PopCap Unveils Bejeweled 3 For This December

PopCap Games' popular match-three puzzle game franchise is getting a proper sequel with Bejeweled 3, which launches this December 7, 2010 with new modes and content, the studio said Monday. The game will sell for $19.95 on PopCap.com and other major portals in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, as well as major North American physical retail outlets. PopCap said the game will have high-definition graphics and high fidelity audio, along with new features and gameplay options. Seattle-based PopCap, which is also behind casual gaming mainstays like Peggle, Bookworm, Plants vs. Zombies and Zuma, said Bejeweled 3 will include "updated and expanded re-imaginings" of the four game modes in 2004's Bejeweled 2, and new "secret" games such as Ice Storm and Poker that change up the gameplay, along with a new quest mode. The Bejeweled series launched in 2001 with the original game, followed by Bejeweled 2, 2008's Bejeweled Twist and then this year's Bejeweled Blitz. PopCap said in February this year and confirmed today that the series has sold over 50 million units. PopCap claims the game has 500 million players worldwide. Bejeweled 3 will be the first proper sequel to the franchise in six years. "The challenge in creating a new version of Bejeweled is to innovate and keep it fresh and exciting without losing touch with the game-play that millions of people love. So we’re very careful when we make changes to the core game, which is why it can take so long," said Jason Kapalka, cofounder and chief creative officer at PopCap, and co-creator of Bejeweled.