East Carolina University’s Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic revealed the results of a year-long randomized, controlled clinical study that measured the efficacy of so-called “casual” video games (CVGs) in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety as a co-morbid condition.

UKpublisher Mastertronic has signed a deal with  casual games developer PopCap Games, and bring those titles for PC, handheld and console formats to retail across the UK, Europe and PAL territories.

Social and casual gaming developer Zattikka announced that it has acquired the license to create social games based on the creations of the legendary comedy group, Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

PopCap Games announced that preliminary results of a new study being conducted by East Carolina University's Psychophysiology Lab have identified improvements in cognitive function through the playing of "casual" video games

Electronic Arts announced MySims Camera and SUDOKU are available for download from the Nintendo DSi Shop, while Littlest Pet Shop and Scrabble, along with original EA titles are also in development and will release later this fall.

Zoo Publishing announced they will publish and distribute four casual titles from PlayFirst, Inc. on the NDS this holiday season: Diner Dash: Flo on the Go, Wedding Dash, Chocolatier, and Dream Chronicles.

Emergent’s Gamebryo Casual was designed to meet the needs of casual game developers’ limited budgets, timelines and high expectations by providing developers with the same powerful production software and design tools used by big budget AAA titles.

Paramount Digital Entertainment and Legacy Interactive announced that they are developing titles based on the popular Paramount Pictures’ films, Clueless, Mean Girls and Pretty in Pink.

A survey conducted by Information Solutions Group, revealed tens of millions of disabled consumers have gravitated to "casual" video games as a source of relief or distraction from their infirmities, as well as a sense of accomplishment or belonging.

East Carolina University reveals the results of a 6-month randomized, controlled study that confirms positive health benefits of so-called "casual" video games, such as Bejeweled 2, Peggle and Bookworm Adventures.

Consumer analysts at Turner Investment Partners concluded that casual games are catching the eyes (and fingers) of women, baby boomers and even seniors, giving video games the potential to be "one of the few retailing success stories in what may be a lackluster holiday shopping season." The company fails to mention the real casual games from companies like PopCap and Bigfish Games, and instead touts several high-profile companies of which it just happens to own shares.

Take-Two announced the formation of casual gaming label 2K Play, and signs an expansive licensing agreement with Nickelodeon, including top-rated properties Nick Jr. preschool television hits, Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!

Largest-ever casual games survey reveals 70% of family gamers see educational benefits for children / grandchildren, while 92% of say casual games provide an opportunity for them to bond.

EA has signed the worldwide rights to create digital games based upon an array of Hasbro's intellectual properties, including Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Nerf, Tonka and Littlest Pet Shop, to name a few, with the first games scheduled to launch in calendar year 2008.

Having made significant investments, Ubisoft announced that it is expanding its casual video game business, and formed an internal development structure dedicated to the creation of games for everyone. Among the first projects of the new team are the introduction of the new My Coach product line and the significant expansion of the already successful Petz franchise.

Alawar announced today that it has signed an agreement with Extent to add in-game advertising to its lineup. The deal includes casual titles ranging from arcade-style games like CheboMan to 3D arkanoid-breakout games like Magic Ball 2.

Xbox and Burger King are conducting a promotion that gives casual gamers control of the humorous, pop-culture personalities of such Burger King icons as The King, Brooke Burke and Subservient Chicken in 3 Arcade-style games playable only on Xbox and X360. With the purchase of any value meal, these $3.99 games will be available at US Burger King restaurants nationwide from Nov.19 – Dec.24th.

MumboJumbo announced an agreement with developer Reflexive Entertainment to bring the popular casual games Big Kahuna Reef 2, Mosaic: Tomb of Mystery and a third, upcoming title to the retail channel.

Apple's latest version of its online music and video store, iTunes 7 offers more TV series, music and now also movies for download, but our main point of interest is the fact that it now also allows you to download casual games to play on your 5th generation iPods, including EAs Tetris, Mahjong and Mini Golf, Pac-Man from Namco and PopCap Games' Bejeweled, Zuma, for $4.99 each.

PopCap Games today announced a partnership with Square Enix that brings PopCap's popular casual computer and Web games, Bejeweled 2, Chuzzle, Insaniquarium and Heavy Weapon, to the Japanese market via its new casual games download service.

FUN Technologies will host the inaugural casual games competition WorldWide Web Games (W3Games) Saturday Sept. 9. Set to air on the Game Show Network December 2, the W3Games will bring casual game players from across the world to Hollywood for a chance to turn hours of game play into one huge $1 million paycheck.

Starting in June, Nintendo will begin branding its more casual Nintendo DS titles under the new Touch Generations label, including titles that anyone can pick up and play, even with little or no experience with video games.