Peggle coming to XBLA on March 11, will have online multiplayer

10:20 AM on 03.09.2009   |   Brad Nicholson

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Massively multiplayer online games can’t soul suck me like PopCap’s Peggle. I’ve recently spent way too much time blasting orange pegs into oblivion and sobbing whenever a metal ball falls into the darkness of off-screen. Now my attachment to the casual puzzle game will extend to another platform: Xbox Live Arcade.

Today PopCap announced Peggle for XBLA (hit the break for the press release), but the real story here is the online components the title is packing. An online two-player Duel Mode (also local) is happening, as well as a four-player version dubbed Peggle Party. Online Leaderboards round out the Internet functionality, and should provide a subtle spark of competition in the game’s lonely campaign mode.

Peggle will be available on March 11 for 800 Microsoft Points.

PopCap Launches Peggle™ Game on Xbox LIVE® Arcade

Eagerly-Awaited XBLA Edition Includes Xbox LIVE Multiplayer, an All-New Party Mode, Achievements, Online Leaderboards, and More

SEATTLE, Washington – March 9, 2009 — PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual video games, today announced this week’s launch of its hugely popular game Peggle™ on the Xbox LIVE® Arcade (XBLA) online service of Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game console. Featured as XBLA’s “Game of the Week,” Peggle will be available for download in all Xbox LIVE regions this Wednesday, March 11 for 800 Microsoft points. Peggle for Xbox LIVE Arcade delivers a number of new and exclusive features to the Xbox 360 gamer, including the first-ever online multiplayer Peggle experience with Peg Party mode, where up to four players can compete simultaneously over Xbox LIVE.  The game also features local and Xbox LIVE 2-player Duel mode, downloadable content support, achievements, rich online leaderboards, HD graphics, and more.

“Peggle has become a cult gaming phenomenon, crossing over and becoming as big a hit with hard core gamers as it has with casual players. This makes XBLA the perfect platform for the game,” stated Greg Canessa, VP of video game platforms at PopCap. “With the XBLA version, we’re delivering even more features that appeal to the diehard enthusiast with an incredible multiplayer experience and community elements that take Peggle to new heights. When you combine the multiplayer experience we’ve created with some of the online features and downloadable content support, PopCap is providing an all-new way to play Peggle competitively with room for expansion and future growth. I know about 200 people at PopCap who can’t wait to see how they stack up against the rest of the Peggle universe!”

Peggle has been optimized for the XBLA platform, works flawlessly with the Xbox controllers, and looks dazzling in high definition. Among the game’s features are:

• A deep single-player experience, featuring 55 levels of ball-bouncing madness, 10 unlockable Peggle Masters, 75 Challenge mode levels, Quick Play Mode and more
• Two different multiplayer modes, letting the gamer experience Peggle competitively online for the first time ever (TrueSkill™ ranked or player match)
• 2-player Duel Mode, playable locally or over Xbox LIVE
• 4-player Peg Party Mode, playable over Xbox LIVE
• Rich online leaderboards, spanning single player and multiplayer modes
• View instant replays of the highest scoring shots to learn a thing or two from true Peggle masters
• 12 Xbox LIVE Achievements
• Downloadable content support
• 720p HD graphics and surround sound
• Brand new animated backdrops set the mood for your favorite character

*Compelling trial experience featuring Adventure, Quick Play and Challenge Modes, allowing players to try out 3 of the 10 available Peggle Masters

About PopCap

PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of “casual games” — fun, easy-to-learn, captivating computer games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 200 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin and Shanghai. Its games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled®, has sold more than 25 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap’s games are played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod and more), popular game consoles (including Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games developer with leading market share across all major sales channels, including Web portals, retail stores, mobile operators and developers, and game device manufacturers.