Testing the “use it or lose it” philosophy, a new research study of 10,000 U.S. adults suggests that playing PopCap Games’ Bejeweled Blitz helps older people feel mentally “sharper” and quicker to see patterns. Specifically, the study found of those who play Bejeweled Blitz regularly, 47 percent of adults over 50 reported feeling sharper while performing other tasks, and 23.9 percent of adults over 65 felt their ability to see patterns improved.

Gaming and Giving for Good, the game industry event to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, opened for participant registration today. The project brings together Xbox 360 with GameStop, Hulu, 2K, EA, Capcom Entertainment, Square Enix and other companies for the main Oct. 1 marathon event as well as other relevant efforts. Anyone who registers at Xbox.com/g3 will receive a free Xbox Live Gold Membership for the weekend, enabling them to join with the millions of others on the online entertainment network.

GameStop has chosen an existing Android tablet which it will begin selling next year under its own brand and with a selection of game titles pre-installed. It will positioned as the "GameStop certified gaming platform" and will be offered next to hardware from Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and Apple that the company already sells.

Intel Corp.'s investment arm Intel Capital today announced seven companies that have received a total of $24 million to encourage their continued innovation in bringing the benefits of cloud computing to a wide variety of different enterprises, including two in games. Listed alphabetically, they are DynamicOps, enLighted, Gaikai, Guavus, IP Commerce, Revolution Analytics and Swrve New Media. Intel declined to specify how the funds were allocated.

Lady Goo Goo has escaped Monstro City to take on the challenge of becoming a music superstar. That odd statement makes perfect sense to the over 50 million registered users of Moshi Monsters, the kid-safe virtual world from Mind Candy, and it means that the brand is expanding its characters by launching a recording label. And of course there's a video.

Independent mobile advertising network Tapjoy Inc. announced that Peter Dille has joined the company as chief marketing officer. It’s the latest expansion move from a company that also just hired Al Wood as chief financial officer and Larry Berkin as vice president and general manager, Asia-Pacific. Dille left his position as SCEA's senior VP of marketing and PlayStation Network in March.

It’s getting all too easy to dismiss patent lawsuits, since it seems like some companies exist solely to sue other companies. Two elements of ThinkOptic’s against Nintendo seem to distinguish it from pure patent trolling, however: it actually sells a relevant product (see video, below), and not all of Nintendo’s patents were approved.

Big Fish Games Inc. has named David Stephenson as chief financial officer, the company announced today. Stephenson previously was vice president for Amazon’s $15 billion North American retail division. He replaces Michael Vernon, who left for daily deals company Zulily in May.