UK Businesses Lose GBP4 Billion a Year due to Office 'e-break' Ban

DUBLIN, May 28 /PRNewswire/ --     Banning personal internet use in the workplace could cost
British businesses up to GBP4 billion every year* due to a resulting decline
in staff productivity. That's according to a report, published today by
PopCap.com that unveils research that indicates taking a 10-minute online
break during the course of the working day serves to reduce stress while
sharpening and refocusing the mind.

With seven out of ten companies - including Credit Suisse and
British Gas - banning access to social networking sites**, and many
considering banning personal internet access altogether, The PopCap Break
Report 2008 highlights the negative impact this could have on the UK economy.
The research shows that far from distracting employees from their work,
e-breaks actually serve to increase staff efficiency and morale, benefitting
UK businesses.

The findings are based on psychometric trials carried out on a
cross section of UK businesses under the supervision of Goldsmiths University
psychologist, Dr Chamorro-Premuzic. The comparative effect of different types
of online breaks on employees' performances*** were tested and the results
revealed that if bosses actively encouraged employees to take one ten minute
e-break in the working day their overall productivity levels would increase.

The report ranks different types of office e-breaks according
to their positive impact on productivity levels. Dr Chamorro-Premuzic rated
the top five types of e-breaks according to their benefits:

1) Puzzle and 'casual' computer games

The report reveals that ten minutes playing online games had the most
positive benefits for employees (and therefore, employers!) They were
particularly beneficial for stressed out, nervous and anxious workers. This
finding supports recent research which shows that 'casual' videogames and
online puzzles like the ones found on PopCap.com, can have calming effects on
individuals. These type of games help to improve mental agility and boost
confidence - creating a calmer, happier workforce.

2) Social Networking & personal emails

Research suggests that 'interpersonal e-breaks' have the most positive
impact on workers who are self-assured and content in their role.

3) Online shopping

Online retail therapy is an effective 'quick fix' strategy to boost
happiness levels in the workplace.

4) General browsing

Although this form of relaxed internet surfing may appear to have no
specific goals, the research shows that it fulfils individuals need for
cognition, caters to their intellectual curiosity and stimulates their thirst
for knowledge - ultimately bolstering general knowledge acquisition - of
benefit to bosses.

5) Life Admin (e.g. online banking, booking doctor's appointments etc)

This break is best suited to female employees, with the
research tracking a greater improvement in their productivity levels than
their male counterparts. Life admin is extrinsically linked to work
performance in that it frees up the mind from administrative concerns as well
as freeing up time after work.

Dr Chamorro-Premuzic commented: "With work days becoming
increasingly longer and workloads more demanding, UK bosses are introducing
internet bans to help combat alleged productivity loss and inappropriate use
of workplace resources. Yet bosses are missing a trick by introducing e-bans.
The PopCap Break Report has revealed that allowing workers more freedom at
the PC, can benefit the worker's morale levels, effectively boosting
companies' profits."

In light of today's report, PopCap invites employees to
anonymously lobby their employer at http://www.popcapbreak.com to introduce a
ten minute e-break in their office.

Notes to Editors

*Based on findings of trials carried out on a cross section of UK
businesses- Dr Chamorro- Premuzic, Goldsmiths University 2008 (See notes to
editor)

**Based upon research conducted by employment law firm, Peninsula (April
2008)

***The PopCap Break Report measured the impact on productivity
of a variety of e-breaks including; life admin, casual gaming and social
networking

Calculation of the GBP4 billion figure

Calculated using the 2008 UK turnover figures for services & highly
skilled jobs and the recorded productivity increase identified in the
experimental research for the PopCap Break Report.

About PopCap

PopCap Games (http://www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform
provider of "casual games" - fun, easy-to-learn, captivating computer games
that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington,
PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 180 people in
Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C. and Dublin. Its games have
been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its
flagship title, Bejeweled(R), has sold more than 10 million units across all
platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap's games are
played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones,
smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod and more), popular game consoles (such as
Xbox), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games
developer with leading market share across all major sales channels,
including Web portals, retail stores, mobile operators and developers, and
game device manufacturers.

The PopCap logo and all other trademarks used herein that are listed at
http://www.popcap.com/trademarks are owned by PopCap Games, Inc. or its
licensors and may be registered in some countries. Other company and product
names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners and are used
for the benefit of those owners.

For more informaton, please contact:

    Cathy Orr,
    European PR Director,
    PopCap Games
    corr@popcap.com
    or +353-87-225-6488