PopCap‘s games seem to be some of the most popular on the web. They have almost taken over Shockwave.com, and they have 2 new games: Zuma and Rocket Mania.

When I first checked out PopCap’s games I was upset by the mindless gameplay which usually involves repetion of simple tasks. These games seems to be targeted at a large and unloved sector of the games audience: old people and office workers. These people have web access and lots of free time. They want undemanding, relaxing games with nice graphics that will kill some time.

After playing Rocket Mania for a while I began to succumb to the almost zen-like state of mindless clicking. The games are very well crafted and easy to use. They have good installers, effective sounds/animations and very tactile UIs. There is usually a random play element to keep up interest, and a game system where good (or lucky) plays are rewarded with chain-reactions of explosions.

As the game market expands to cater to people other than teenaged boys, I think PopCap will do very well.