Bejeweled is a puzzle game by PopCap Games, first developed for the browser in 2001. A sequel to this game, Bejeweled 2, was released by PopCap Games in 2004. More than 25 million copies of Bejeweled have been sold, and the game has been downloaded more than 150 million times.

History

Initially it was created by PopCap Games as a web-based Flash game called Diamond Mine. The game was reportedly successful for PopCap - a company formed in 2000. PopCap created partnerships with well 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 Bejeweled Deluxe for Microsoft Windows. Astraware produced Bejeweled for PDAs on the Palm OS, PocketPC, 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 Apple iPod.

PopCap Games announced a version of Bejeweled for the iPhone. It is not a standalone game but rather a web application playable over the Safari browser. A native application for the iPhone is also now available.

Recently, skill games like Bejeweled have become been features 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 Warcraft's interface for download the following week.

On October 5, 2008, PopCap announced the official third installment in the Bejeweled series: Bejeweled Twist. Little is known about this game but according to the Bejeweled Twist microsite, the game will have amazing new features and a whole new spin on the classic game.

Bejeweled Twist will be released on October 27, 2008.

Gameplay

The objective of this game is to swap one gem with an adjacent gem to form a horizontal or vertical chain of three or more gems. Bonus points are given when more than three identical gems are formed or forms two lines of identical gems in one swap. Gems disappear when chains are formed and gems fall from the top to fill in gaps. Sometimes chain reactions, called cascades, are triggered, where chains are formed by the falling gems. Cascades are awarded with bonus points. There are two variations of the game to choose from.