One of the better "Little Engine that Could" stories in the videogame industry, PopCap Games recently hit the 25 million in sales mark for its flagship franchise, Bejeweled, making it the most popular casual video game of the 21st century. Based on data from distribution partners across the internet, mobile games space, retail, in-flight and other channels, Bejeweled and Bejeweled 2 have collectively sold more than 25 million units across all platforms since the game first appeared in late 2000.

Even more remarkable: Bejeweled was almost a non-starter. The game's designer, Jason Kapalka, was rejected by every game publishing giant despite asking a scant $60,000 for a game -- originally titled "Diamond Mine" -- that would go on to become the Bejeweled franchise those same publishers can only hope to emulate.

"I vividly recall prospective buyers telling us 'It's not even a game,' while showing us the door," Kapalka said. Kapalka is the co-founder and chief creative officer of PopCap Games, the leading provider of multi-platform casual games. Bejeweled was its first title and the first of several runaway hits.