Casual News – Jan. 30, 2009

Gamasutra ranks the 10 best browser-based gaming sites; EA announces a sequel to Steven Spielberg’s Bloom Blox; and an analyst predicts that U.S. game industry revenues could hit $20 billion in 2009. These headlines and more below.

News

• GDC 2009 announces casual games summit sessions
• PopCap PC retail sales up 85 percent in 2008
• comScore says U.S. online gaming audience grew 27 percent in 2008
• Microsoft pledges Games for Windows focus with new boss
• EA and Steven Spielberg announce Bloom Blox Bash Party
• GSN and WorldWinner kick off search for the world’s best casual gamers
• Are profits in video games shifting from West to East?
• Nintendo president Iwata to keynote GDC 2009
• Jambool launches virtual goods platform for social network apps
• Hallmark gets in the game
• Gogii Games announces a four title deal for PC/Mac
• Playrix ports titles to Mac
• ESA: Family-friendly games dominated 2008 sales
• Nintendo sales up 17 per cent, cuts outlook on strong yen
• MMO publisher Nexon closes Vancouver studio
• Analyst: U.S. game biz to hit $20 billion in 2009?
• Leipzig Games Convention cancelled in favor of show focusing on MMO and mobile games
• GamersGate to offer "client-free" experience
• PopCap Games brings casual games to the PlayStation Network
• OneBigGame announces official charity partners
• World of Goo Publisher Brighter Minds Media Goes Bankrupt 

Features

• Biggest 10 browser-based game sites ranked
• The evolution of video game business models
• Industry Roundtable: Is casual recession proof?
• Interview with Nick Pili, PlaySEGA
• Road to the IGF: Kranx’s Musaic Box
• Creating balanced in-game economies
• Barton: Wii game glut "raises spector" of player disechantment?
• Taking on giants, GamesCampus and CyberSports move into online sports
• Q&A: Maxis’ Bradshaw on expanding the Spore franchise
• A demo of Flower: The most inspired game for the PlayStation 3

Videos

• Power Up #5: Emerald City Confidential game preview

Erin Bell