Despite recent stress due to the Soft-World lawsuit, Square Enix has reason to be happy. Many players of casual internet games such as Bejeweled 2, Insaniquarium, Chuzzle and others can wistfully recall hours blown away like seconds while sitting in front of a computer somewhere playing the games in question. They've all in one way or another weasled themselves into our hearts, and their producer, PopCap Games, intends to spread the wealth to the Japanese gaming market. To these ends, PopCap has signed a deal with Square Enix Co., Ltd., in Japan. Square will be profiding an online download service for these games, with free preliminary trial play, with purchase an option as well.

James Gwertzman, Director of Business Development for PopCap Games had this to say: “We know that our games are ideally suited for the global consumer audience and this agreement with Square Enix will enable us to reach the Japanese market in a major way. There’s simply no better partner in Japan for PopCap than Square Enix, in terms of industry presence, distribution channels, passion for quality games of all kinds and overall expertise. This is an ideal match for PopCap.”

PopCap Games is crewed by 95 employees in locations ranging from Seattle, Washington (USA) to Dublin, Ireland; all of whom have made PopCap Games the most successful independent designer and publisher of casual games in the world.