PopCap Games Holds Zuma® Blitz™ “Idols for Autism” Fundraiser for Autism Speaks

Business Wire

Friday, June 29th 2012

Leading Non-Profit Autism Science and Advocacy Organization to Benefit from Three-Day Promotion Starting Today

PopCap Games, a division of EA and maker of some of the world’s most popular video games, this morning announced a three-day promotion involving its popular Facebook game Zuma^® Blitz and benefitting the world’s leading autism and science advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. For the next 72 hours only, Zuma Blitz players can purchase discounted “Idols” which provide access to powerful special abilities and effects to boost players’ in-game performance, with proceeds from the Idols sale donated to Autism Speaks. The promotion comes on the heels of a recent record-setting marathon event in New York and London which featured PopCap’s latest social game Solitaire Blitz and raised funds for charity: water.

Idols enable Zuma Blitz players to purchase powerful in-game items such as the Cat, Eagle, and Beetle “monuments” as well as potions and power-ups. These items provide special benefits to boost players’ scores, such as extra time on the 1-minute game clock, faster ball-firing speed, extra explosive balls and more. During the three-day “Idols for Autism” promotion, Idols will be available at 25% of their regular price. For each US$1.00 in Idols purchased, PopCap will contribute $1.00 to Autism Speaks, up to a maximum of $25,000.

“PopCap’s generosity is equaled by its creativity, and that’s a winning combination when raising funds and awareness for a cause,” said Marc Sirkin, vice president of online and social operations at Autism Speaks. “We deeply appreciate PopCap’s generous support and effort in developing such a unique and entertaining campaign via Zuma Blitz.”

“We’re pleased to be supporting a truly worthy cause in Autism Speaks and at the same time introducing the millions of Zuma Blitz fans to a new way to score big in the game,” said Scott Willoughby, franchise manager for Zuma Blitz. “The notion that a game like Zuma or Bejeweled can help someone in ways beyond mere entertainment has intrigued us for many years, and we look forward supporting organizations like Autism Speaks going forward.”

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed over $180 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About PopCap

PopCap Games is the leading global developer, publisher and operator of casual video games: fun, easy-to-learn, captivating games that appeal to all ages across PC, mobile, social and other platforms. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000, was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2011, and has a worldwide staff of more than 600 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. PopCap's games have been downloaded over 1.5 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship franchise, Bejeweled, has sold more than 50 million units.

Bejeweled, Zuma, Solitaire Blitz and PopCap are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.