Components: Gemstones of 6 different colors and shapes, score display, controls for new game or quit, timer.
Skills required / taught: Quick decision making, pattern recognition
Object: Complete as many patterns as possible.


About the Game
The game was initially created by PopCap Games as a web-based Flash game called Diamond Mine. It was reportedly successful for PopCap—a company formed in 2000. PopCap created partnerships with established Internet gaming sites such as Microsoft Zone to host Bejeweled as well. The name Bejeweled was suggested by Microsoft, who thought that the original name Diamond Mine was too similar to that of an existing game, Diamond Mines.


How it Works
The objective of this game is to swap one gem with an adjacent gem to form a horizontal or vertical chain of three or more gems. Bonus points are given when more than three identical gems are formed or two lines of identical gems are formed in one swap. Gems disappear when chains are formed and gems fall from the top to fill in gaps. Sometimes chain reactions, called cascades, are triggered, where chains are formed by the falling gems. Cascades are awarded with bonus points.


Thought Bubble
Timed and Un-timed variations – variations of bejeweled include both timed and un-timed versions. Will your game be timed or not?

Special effects – later versions of bejeweled include special gems which increase multiplier, explode, or clear all gems of a certain color.

Bonus – Completing enough objectives earns the player bonus points.