If you weren't already aware, Electronic Arts acquired Seattle-based casual games phenom PopCap ten days ago for a cool $650 million.

For that considerable outlay, the publishing giant behind NBA Jam and Dead Space picked up some of the most addictive iPhone IP around, including Plants vs Zombies, Peggle, and Bejeweled 2 + Blitz.

In addition, EA will, naturally, inherit PopCap's recently formed spin-off label 4th & Battery, which is charged with producing edgier, stranger, more experimental games.

Unpleasant Horse was the first creation from the 4th & Battery laboratory: unfortunately for the studio, it proved too hot for Apple to handle, and was promptly rejected.

Next up from the 'kooky' corner of the PopCap development unit is Allied Star Police, a side-scrolling shooter involving lots of vehicles, tons of weaponry, and plenty of Bayhem.

What makes this free 4th & Battery product extra special, mind, is that it was created in collaboration with nine-year-old designer and Make-A-Wish beneficiary Owain Weinert, who dreamt up the concept and helped PopCap's engineers realise it.

I only wish I was half as talented now as Owain clearly already is. Best of luck to him and to Allied Star Police.