Plants vs Zombies to spawn a multiplayer shooter - rumour

Whispers say PopCap has something quite unusual in store for its heretofore tower defence charmer, Plants vs Zombies.

Kotaku cites a "a Canadian industry source with ties to Electronic Arts" for word that PopCap is working on a Plants vs Zombies multiplayer shooter.

The game is said to be headed to consoles and to be "in the vein of Team Fortress 2". PopCap has not yet greenlit the project, the source added.

Lending weight to the astonishing rumour is a report from industry sleuth Superannuation, which highlights a new PopCap team at EA Canada's Burnaby digs.

Mostly staffed by former EA Black Box members, the new team has been hiring for console development, specifically searching for an animator with motion capture experience and a multiplayer designer with shooter experience.

It's probably worth noting that EA has trademarked something called Jet Set Secrets and Jet Set Detectives.