PopCap sold to EA...is this good or bad news?

PopCap is one of those game developers that has always done things right. I remember back in my middle school years, going to their website after I was done with my work in the school's computer lab to play Big Money, Bejeweled, and Insaniquarium.

The game maker has made a ton of addictive, puzzle type games that tend to stand out above the rest. Their most well known games in recent years have been, of course, Bejeweled (and the game that builds upon it, Bejeweled Blitz), Zuma, Plants vs. Zombies, and Peggle. The Xbox 360 helped boost sales when it offered Plants vs. Zombies through Xbox Live, and as I type this, my husband is on the 360 playing Peggle. PopCap's games are addictive and fun for casual and hardcore gamers alike, and they are one game maker I have followed and highly respected since the times when no one knew who they were.

I was surprised to see in the news that PopCap was recently sold to Electronic Arts (EA), for a deal that allegedly was worth upwards of 1.3 billion dollars. I could lie to you and say this decision has come to mixed reviews, but quite honestly, most people and fans of PopCap are dismayed over this. PopCap doesn't release bad games...I'm sorry, but if you visit their website, each and every game is a winner, from Bejeweled to the games no one has heard of. Some of my personal favorites never made it big...my all time PopCap favorite is Insaniquarium, a game in which you grow and raise fish, use pets that give you benefits, and fight off aliens that come to eat your tank. It's ridiculous, yet it's been my favorite since the game was internet-only a decade ago. One of their games which also never made it big (and I wish I could figure out a possible reason why), was Mummy Maze, where you have to outsmart a mummy and make it out of the room with your explorer before he catches up to you, using the environment as your advantage.

Because PopCap has such an outstanding record with being stingy with games before they are released, perfecting and re-perfecting to make a gorgeous, addictive game the first time, the sale to EA has left many fans worried over the possible change in pace. Big names in the video game industry aren't very well known for taking their sweet time to release video games right and perfect the first time, especially in the age of "buy first, download updates later". The sale of PopCap to EA just very well take away their standards of perfection, although I'm trying to stay optimistic.

Something else to think about: it has been reported that EA has agreed to pay an additional 550 million dollars to PopCap if they reach "certain performance" standards within two years. Already, it seems they may be trying to rush things, which has never been PopCap's style.

I want to know what you all think out there: do you like PopCap? Have you played any of their games, and which is your favorite? Do you think the sale of the game maker to EA is a sign of the death of a good business, or may have its benefits? Let me know in the comments!