The Oral History Of PopCap Games

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Hey, thanks for interviewing these folks and putting this together! As someone who worked at PopCap from 2004 to 2012, it was an incredibly special journey and these interviews capture a lot of what we were all feeling and thinking. Many of us still talk and hang out and even work together at different companies, but the PopCap years were the most special time. So thanks also for creating something that will help us remember that and reflect on all flavors of it as the years go by. Very much appreciated! ~ Isaac.

Just to add to the story about "don't do it Joe" at the 2:08:01 mark: I was at that party, it was the Dublin xmas party of 2010. First, it should be noted that Joe led the U.S. team to its first-ever victory over the Irish team in the drinking games that kicked off most PopCap parties. I recall him drinking three or four pints of beer in about 15 seconds at one point. Secondly, my understanding at the time was that Joe was invited to the party because he had in fact been offered a job. By the following morning, he was hungover, incredibly remorseful -- and fired, before ever working a single hour at PopCap. Shortest tenure ever !

Man the pvz 2 story is so heartbreaking. I knew it was going to go bad but it still broke my heart to hear the producer say it :(

I worked for PopCap Dublin. No mention. Cheers.

4 hours! Now I have to choose this or The Snyder Cut? I love early Popcap, so I think this is my choice. 😉

Every single PopCap game I ever played was extremely fun and *satisfying*. They're one of the best game studios ever imho. I wish they still made non-mobile games.

I’ll be listening to the podcast over the next couple of days, but just wanted to say thanks! This looks awesome!

That was great! I’m glad I watched the whole thing. Thanks! I was there from 2008-2015 so it was nice to see old friends and reminisce about those great times and all those talented and passionate game makers.

I thought it might be a little long for me initially, but I'm actually surprised at how interested I was all the way through. This is great and I would love to see more "deep dives" on developers like this. Great work!

now this is that good shit i fork up money every month for

thank you for hosting this! love popcap games ;__;

So, SO good. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you Ben - and thank you everyone who was willing to share this story

I wasn't sure if I'd be interested in a 4 hr long "history of.." but this was fantastic! I love that you asked the questions that others may not be comfortable asking and got the full scoop of what went down at PopCap. I would love more "Deepest Dives" into other game industry mysteries. MinnMax has quickly become my favorite gaming focus content creators.

You guys are amazing. Congratulations on this achievement. Please, keep it going, keep it rolling, keep pushing! MINNMAX!

To this day, PopCap Dublin are still the best studio I've ever worked with, by some margin. Everyone I've ever talked to there had such a personal, amicable approach about games. It did so much to destigmatize the position their games were in. You could tell that they just really cared about games, above all. It's the reason I've still held on to their promotional gear. I was heartbroken when it closed. Thanks for this interview series.

Fantastic documentary! Great to see/hear the history of the studio throughout the years. And that final part was joyous :)

Alchemy was my JAM. It all came down to the music. I could listen to it forever.

3:00:09 literally disproves everyone saying that ea "ruined the franchise" and yet basically everybody still thinks it. i'm exaggerating a bit everywhere but still.

3:00:19 that’s super interesting