Bejeweled (series)
Encyclopedia
Bejeweled is the name of the first game
and series of puzzle games created by PopCap Games
, first developed for browsers
in 2001
. Four follow-ups to this game have been released, Bejeweled 2
, in 2004
, Bejeweled Twist
in 2008
, Bejeweled Blitz
in 2009
, and Bejeweled 3
in 2010
, all also by PopCap Games. Blitz is a one-minute timed version which can be played by linking to Facebook or in an offline mode. More than 25 million copies of Bejeweled have been sold, and the game has been downloaded more than 150 million times.
game named Diamond Mine. It was reportedly successful for PopCap—a company formed in 2000. PopCap created partnerships with established Internet
gaming sites such as Microsoft Zone to host Bejeweled as well. The name Bejeweled was suggested by Microsoft
, who thought that the original name Diamond Mine was too similar to that of an existing game, Diamond Mines.
The game has also been ported
to other platforms, including Microsoft Windows
, where it was called Bejeweled Deluxe. Astraware
produced versions for PDAs
on the Palm OS
, Windows Mobile
, Smartphone
and Palm
platforms. They also released Bejeweled Deluxe on the Xbox
as a downloadable Xbox Live Arcade
game. On September 12, 2006, it was released as one of the first games downloadable from the iTunes Store
for the iPod
.
PopCap Games initially announced a version of Bejeweled for the iPhone
that was not a standalone game but rather a web application playable over the Safari
browser. A native application for the iPhone has since been made available for purchase in the iTunes store, although the web-based version still exists.
Recently, skill games
like Bejeweled have been featured in online competitions for prizes.
Its influence has crossed the virtual divide, as a scratchcard
based on the game has been issued by Lotterywest
.
On October 9, 2007, PopCap Games announced Bejeweled for the PlayStation 2
and Xbox 360
platforms in a compilation with other puzzler games.
On September 20, 2008, a World of Warcraft
fansite known as WoW Insider revealed that PopCap Games would be releasing a free version of Bejeweled as an add-on for World of Warcrafts interface for download the following week.
On October 27, 2008, PopCap released the official third installment in the Bejeweled series: Bejeweled Twist. It is similar to the classic design, except now instead of swapping two gems, the player rotates clusters of four gems clockwise to make matches. The gems also will not move back if they do not initially match up, unlike in previous games.
On December 20, 2008, Popcap released Bejeweled Blitz, an application on Facebook
that allows players to compete with their Facebook friends in a timed, one minute game.
On November 11, 2009, Popcap released a Bejeweled Blitz add-on for the iPhone
version of Bejeweled 2.
On November 18, 2009, Popcap and Square Enix
released Gyromancer
, which combines the gameplay of Bejeweled Twist with RPG elements, for Windows and Xbox Live Arcade
.
On December 14, 2009, Popcap released a Bejeweled Twist for DSiWare.
On February 10, 2010, PopCap released a statement announcing that at that time, a copy of the Bejeweled franchise was sold every 4.3 seconds and that more than 50 million units had been purchased, making it one of the top ten best-selling video games of all time.
On June 13, 2010 PopCap released a Bejeweled for PlayStation Network.
On June 14, 2010 PopCap released a Bejeweled 2 for WiiWare
.
On October 10, 2010 PopCap gave away Bejeweled 2 Deluxe for free to commemorate the 10-10-10 date, making a joke about the core game play design of 'three-in-a-row'.
On November 1, 2010, PopCap announced the fifth game in the series, Bejeweled 3
. It is the true sequel to Bejeweled 2 from 2004 and features new gamemodes, HD graphics and high quality sound and music. The game goes back to basics by swapping gems instead of rotating gems like in Bejeweled Twist.
On December 7, 2010, PopCap released Bejeweled 3.
On February 23, 2011 PopCap released Bejeweled Blitz LIVE exclusive to XBOX 360. Bejeweled Blitz LIVE has both Gameplays from Regular Bejeweled blitz with Elements from Bejeweled Twist.
On June 25, 2011, PopCap announced Bejeweled 3 is coming to consoles in Q4 2011.
On October 19, 2011 Bejeweled 3 Comes to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 via digital download or Disc Base Format. Also Bejeweled 3 was Release for Nintendo DS.
game, written in 1988 by Russian developer Eugene Alemzhin, which had nearly identical gameplay.
The popularity of Bejeweled has spawned countless clones. Collectively known as Match 3 games, these all revolve around the mechanic of creating a three-in-a-row line of identical pieces. They include:
Bejeweled
Bejeweled is a puzzle game by PopCap Games, first developed for browsers in 2001. Three follow-ups to this game have been released. More than 75 million copies of Bejeweled have been sold, and the game has been downloaded more than 500 million times....
and series of puzzle games created by PopCap Games
PopCap Games
PopCap Games is an American video game developer and publisher, based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka, and currently employs about 400 people...
, first developed for browsers
Browser game
A browser game is a computer game that is played over the Internet using a web browser. Browser games can be created and run using standard web technologies or browser plug-ins. Browser games include all video game genres and can be single-player or multiplayer...
in 2001
2001 in video gaming
-Events:* Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts John Carmack of id Software to the AIAS Hall of Fame...
. Four follow-ups to this game have been released, Bejeweled 2
Bejeweled 2
Bejeweled 2 is a web-based game, sequel to Bejeweled, developed and published by PopCap Games. In 2004, Bejeweled 2 Deluxe was released. They both add extra game modes and features to the game. Bejeweled 2 Deluxe, like all PopCap titles, is available on a "try before you buy" basis...
, in 2004
2004 in video gaming
-Events:*January 20 — Wireds Vaporware Awards gives its first "Lifetime Achievement Award" to recurring winner Duke Nukem Forever.*March 4 — Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts Peter Molyneux into the AIAS Hall of Fame*March 22-26 — Game...
, Bejeweled Twist
Bejeweled Twist
Bejeweled Twist is a puzzle game of the Bejeweled series created and published PopCap Games, released on October 17, 2008.- Gameplay :Instead of switching the positions of two gems vertically or horizontally, the cursor in Bejeweled Twist is a circular lens that rotates four gems clockwise on the...
in 2008
2008 in video gaming
Notable events of 2008 in video gaming. See also history of video games. The release dates listed in this article are the games' original release dates.-Events:...
, Bejeweled Blitz
Bejeweled Blitz
Bejeweled Blitz is originally a Facebook application which is developed and published by PopCap Games. It soon expanded into a downloadable game, based on the then-in-development Bejeweled 3 engine, due to popularity of the differences from Bejeweled 2 and its new graphics. As with the Bejeweled...
in 2009
2009 in video gaming
The year 2009 saw the release of many video games, including several sequels.-Events:-Scheduled releases:List of games scheduled for release in 2009 in North America....
, and Bejeweled 3
Bejeweled 3
Bejeweled 3 is a puzzle video game developed and published by PopCap Games. It is the fifth game of the multi-selling Bejeweled franchise yet the officially third title...
in 2010
2010 in video gaming
The year 2010 has seen many sequels and prequels in video games, including several new titles.-Events:-Game releases:List of games scheduled for release in 2010 in North America....
, all also by PopCap Games. Blitz is a one-minute timed version which can be played by linking to Facebook or in an offline mode. More than 25 million copies of Bejeweled have been sold, and the game has been downloaded more than 150 million times.
History
The game was initially created by PopCap Games as a web-based FlashAdobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
game named Diamond Mine. It was reportedly successful for PopCap—a company formed in 2000. PopCap created partnerships with established Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
gaming sites such as Microsoft Zone to host Bejeweled as well. The name Bejeweled was suggested by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, who thought that the original name Diamond Mine was too similar to that of an existing game, Diamond Mines.
The game has also been ported
Porting
In computer science, porting is the process of adapting software so that an executable program can be created for a computing environment that is different from the one for which it was originally designed...
to other platforms, including Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, where it was called Bejeweled Deluxe. Astraware
Astraware
Astraware creates software for Apple iPhone, Android OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile and BlackBerry smartphones. It is based in Knutton, Staffordshire....
produced versions for PDAs
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
on the Palm OS
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
, Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
, Smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
and Palm
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
platforms. They also released Bejeweled Deluxe on the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
as a downloadable Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
game. On September 12, 2006, it was released as one of the first games downloadable from the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
for the iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
.
PopCap Games initially announced a version of Bejeweled for the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
that was not a standalone game but rather a web application playable over the Safari
Safari (web browser)
Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and included with the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. First released as a public beta on January 7, 2003 on the company's Mac OS X operating system, it became Apple's default browser beginning with Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther". Safari is also the...
browser. A native application for the iPhone has since been made available for purchase in the iTunes store, although the web-based version still exists.
Recently, skill games
Online skill-based game
Online skill-based games are online games in which the outcome of the game is determined by the player's physical skill or mental skill...
like Bejeweled have been featured in online competitions for prizes.
Its influence has crossed the virtual divide, as a scratchcard
Scratchcard
A scratchcard is a small card, often made of thin paper-based card for competitions and plastic to conceal PINs, where one or more areas contain concealed information which can...
based on the game has been issued by Lotterywest
Lotterywest
Lotterywest, formerly the Lotteries Commission of Western Australia, is an Australian lotteries corporation run by the State Government of Western Australia. Lotterywest sells lottery tickets and "instant win" scratchcards through a network of newsagents and other authorised retailers...
.
On October 9, 2007, PopCap Games announced Bejeweled for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
platforms in a compilation with other puzzler games.
On September 20, 2008, a World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
fansite known as WoW Insider revealed that PopCap Games would be releasing a free version of Bejeweled as an add-on for World of Warcrafts interface for download the following week.
On October 27, 2008, PopCap released the official third installment in the Bejeweled series: Bejeweled Twist. It is similar to the classic design, except now instead of swapping two gems, the player rotates clusters of four gems clockwise to make matches. The gems also will not move back if they do not initially match up, unlike in previous games.
On December 20, 2008, Popcap released Bejeweled Blitz, an application on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
that allows players to compete with their Facebook friends in a timed, one minute game.
On November 11, 2009, Popcap released a Bejeweled Blitz add-on for the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
version of Bejeweled 2.
On November 18, 2009, Popcap and Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
released Gyromancer
Gyromancer
Gyromancer is a puzzle and role-playing video game developed by PopCap Games in collaboration with Square Enix. In the game, the player moves through a map of an enchanted forest, battling monsters using their own summoned monsters through a puzzle-game battle based on PopCap's Bejeweled Twist...
, which combines the gameplay of Bejeweled Twist with RPG elements, for Windows and Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
.
On December 14, 2009, Popcap released a Bejeweled Twist for DSiWare.
On February 10, 2010, PopCap released a statement announcing that at that time, a copy of the Bejeweled franchise was sold every 4.3 seconds and that more than 50 million units had been purchased, making it one of the top ten best-selling video games of all time.
On June 13, 2010 PopCap released a Bejeweled for PlayStation Network.
On June 14, 2010 PopCap released a Bejeweled 2 for WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
.
On October 10, 2010 PopCap gave away Bejeweled 2 Deluxe for free to commemorate the 10-10-10 date, making a joke about the core game play design of 'three-in-a-row'.
On November 1, 2010, PopCap announced the fifth game in the series, Bejeweled 3
Bejeweled 3
Bejeweled 3 is a puzzle video game developed and published by PopCap Games. It is the fifth game of the multi-selling Bejeweled franchise yet the officially third title...
. It is the true sequel to Bejeweled 2 from 2004 and features new gamemodes, HD graphics and high quality sound and music. The game goes back to basics by swapping gems instead of rotating gems like in Bejeweled Twist.
On December 7, 2010, PopCap released Bejeweled 3.
On February 23, 2011 PopCap released Bejeweled Blitz LIVE exclusive to XBOX 360. Bejeweled Blitz LIVE has both Gameplays from Regular Bejeweled blitz with Elements from Bejeweled Twist.
On June 25, 2011, PopCap announced Bejeweled 3 is coming to consoles in Q4 2011.
On October 19, 2011 Bejeweled 3 Comes to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 via digital download or Disc Base Format. Also Bejeweled 3 was Release for Nintendo DS.
Influence
Bejeweled was most likely influenced by the SharikiShariki
Shariki is a puzzle game by Russian programmer Eugene Alemzhin, developed for DOS in 1994.The goal of the game is to gain progressively higher scores by matching three or more balls of the same color in line . These balls then explode and a new ones appear in their place...
game, written in 1988 by Russian developer Eugene Alemzhin, which had nearly identical gameplay.
The popularity of Bejeweled has spawned countless clones. Collectively known as Match 3 games, these all revolve around the mechanic of creating a three-in-a-row line of identical pieces. They include:
- Goober's Lab, a clone featured on WebkinzWebkinzWebkinz are toy stuffed animals that were originally released by the Canadian Ganz company on April 29, 2005. The toys are similar to many other small plush toys, however, each Webkinz toy has an attached tag with a unique "Secret Code" printed on it that allows access to the "Webkinz World" website...
.com. - Sutek's Tomb, a variant featured on NeopetsNeopetsNeopets is a virtual pet website that was launched by Adam Powell and Donna Williams on November 15, 1999. Two years after the web site was launched, Adam Powell and Donna Williams sold a majority share to a consortium of investors led by Doug Dohring. On June 20, 2005, Viacom bought Neopets, Inc...
.com. - Jewel QuestJewel QuestJewel Quest is an Indiana Jones-inspired puzzle game created and published by iWin. First for PC, and later it has been redeveloped for Symbian S60, the Nintendo DS , the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade and other platforms...
- Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the WarlordsPuzzle Quest: Challenge of the WarlordsPuzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is a game developed by Australian company Infinite Interactive and published by D3 Publisher. The game combines role-playing with strategy and puzzle elements...
, an RPG where combat is fought using a match three board - Zoo KeeperZoo KeeperZoo Keeper is an online puzzle game developed by Robot Communications that was later ported to the Nintendo DS by Japanese video game publisher Success...
, a Japanese game with an animal theme - Aurora FeintAurora feintAurora Feint is a video game series developed by Danielle Cassley and Jason Citron for iOS. Aurora Feint The Beginning was released in the first wave of App Store applications in July 2008 and is a free single-player game which combines the geometric shape manipulation of Tetris Attack with the...
, an iPhone/iPod Touch game - Diamond Twister, published by GameloftGameloftGameloft SA is a major French computer and video game developer and publisher headquartered in Paris, France. The company also has subsidiaries in 31 countries around the world....
- Beghouled & Beghouled Twist, mini-games in Plants vs. ZombiesPlants vs. ZombiesPlants vs. Zombies is a tower defense action video game developed and originally published by PopCap Games for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. The game involves a homeowner using many varieties of plants to repel an army of zombies from "eating their brains". It was first released on May 5, 2009,...
published by PopCap GamesPopCap GamesPopCap Games is an American video game developer and publisher, based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka, and currently employs about 400 people... - The Treasures of Montezuma, published by Alawar Games
- Gweled, an open sourceOpen sourceThe term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
clone for GNU/Linux