Casual News – Aug. 22, 2008

Developers threaten 25,000 British gamers with lawsuits for illegally downloading games; Gamedev.net wraps up its Casual Connect coverage; and several articles explore the success of Xbox Live Arcade (the Xbox 360’s game dowloading service). These headlines and more below.

News

• Up to 25,000 British illegal downloaders sued as game developers turn to courts
• PopCap sells 25 millionth copy of Bejeweled
• PopCap delivers most-requested new features to Bejeweled 2 game for iPhone
• Java Game Tome showcases Java games
• Alawar responds to glitches in Magic Encyclopedia
• Alton Brown and Iron Chef Cat Cora join Destineer’s Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine video game
• Mario Batali and Masaharu Morimoto to star in Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine video game
• Ubisoft comes to the rescue with new Petz brand
• The Sims 3 in stores February 20, 2009
• Nexon America unveils the next generation of Mabinogi
• National Geographic Channel examines the real science behind Will Wright’s Spore
• Emergent targets casual gaming market
• Shark 3D now available for the Wii console
• Advertisers line up to reach teens on Kiwibox
• Developer gives teaser of first Filipino online casual game
• Globe7 announces strategic partnership with New Straits Times Press

Features

• Gaming with Gordon: Turning up the heat in Hell’s Kitchen
• Casual Connect Seattle Part 2
• Venture Capital: Sandlot Games bakes success in Cake Mania
• Computer game downloaders: taking aim at the pirates
• Microsoft pushing casual games as the future of the Xbox 360
• Is Xbox Live Arcade saving video games?
• Small wonders: Xbox Live Arcade games outclass full-priced titles

Erin Bell