Microsoft Solitaire Collection
Microsoft Solitaire Collection | |
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Microsoft Casual Games | |
Publisher(s) | Xbox Game Studios |
Producer(s) |
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Android Browser | |
Release | Windows 8
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Microsoft Solitaire Collection is a video game developed by Microsoft Casual Games and published by Xbox Game Studios for Microsoft Windows. It combines the Solitaire, FreeCell and Spider Solitaire titles that were included with previous versions of Windows. It also introduces Pyramid and TriPeaks to Windows for the first time, as well as new daily challenges and themes (though an older version of Pyramid was previously bundled in Microsoft Entertainment Pack 2 under the name "Tut's Tomb", and an older version of TriPeaks was previously bundled in Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3; both made the cut for Microsoft Entertainment Pack). Unlike the games included in Windows 7 and earlier versions, Microsoft Solitaire Collection is freemium adware[2] with Xbox Live integration.
The app's hub-based design was originally inspired by the design for Windows 8's Start screen in 2012. At the time, the developers considered the game a tool for helping users become more familiar with Windows 8.[3] Unlike its predecessors, Microsoft Solitaire Collection is updated via the Microsoft Store and communicates with a Microsoft server in order to track achievements and offer daily challenges.
Overview
Microsoft Solitaire Collection, designed by
When a player wins a game, the game will randomly select a card animation based on animations from previous versions of Windows card games. The app has a dedicated page for statistics on Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid, TriPeaks, Daily Challenge, and Star Club.
Microsoft Solitaire Collection was first made available for free download in
The Windows 10 version was introduced to Windows 10 beta testers preinstalled with the system in build 10061, in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Microsoft Solitaire. Some customization features were not included until after the initial public release of Windows 10. The developers noted the delay was due to major code changes that happened during the development of Windows 10. The Windows 10 version was designed to scale dynamically both vertically and horizontally. The main page's layout was rearranged to use vertical scrolling rather than horizontal scrolling.[3]
Since the original "Microsoft Solitaire" was Klondike solitaire but did not use the Klondike branding, some users were unaware it was Klondike. The Microsoft Casual Games team reportedly received frequent feedback to "Bring back the game mode from Windows 7" even though they already did. To address user confusion and help users find this game, the developers replaced the large polar bear on the Klondike tile with a Klondike deck and the words "Classic Solitaire".[7]
Microsoft Solitaire Collection was made available for iOS and Android in August 2016 to beta testers in the Microsoft Casual Games Inner Circle.[8][9] It was made publicly available on these platforms on November 23, 2016. Most iOS solitaire apps are integrated with Apple's Game Center, but this one is exclusively integrated into Microsoft's ecosystem. Since these versions integrate directly with the cloud service, it is not necessary to have the Xbox app installed on an iOS or Android device in order to sync data and achievements.[10][9]
On the same day, a news bulletin launched from the app into a web browser announced that the Events feature would be publicly available in December 2016.[11]
Advertisement controversy
The five basic game modes contain ads, displayed at the end of each game, and there are new features added in Windows 8 (Daily Challenges and Star Club) where users will see interstitial video ads roughly every 15 minutes, but only between games. Users can optionally pay $1.99/month or $14.99/year to get the Premium Edition of the game, which removes all advertisements, gives double coins for completing Daily Challenges and gives some bonuses in the basic TriPeaks and Pyramid game modes.[12] Users who downloaded the iOS or Android app between November 23 and December 31, 2016, were given a month of Premium on that iOS or Android device.[10]
There are also in-app links to play or download other ad-supported Microsoft-branded games, including Microsoft Mahjong and Microsoft Minesweeper.[17]
On August 3, 2021, Microsoft announced that the Premium Edition of the game would be added to their PC Game Pass subscription service (then known as Xbox Game Pass for PC) on August 17, 2021.[18]
Daily Challenges, Star Club, Events
Daily Challenges are posted every day. There is one of each game, which can be any difficulty. Star Club has challenges posted under different themes and can be any difficulty. Events are new almost every day and can have 5 to 30 challenges. Events can have all of one game, all one difficulty, or two or more games with mixed difficulties. When logged in, you can view your progress alongside other people around the world.[19]
See also
References
- ^ Tyrsina, Radu (June 6, 2018). "Microsoft Solitaire Collection is now Optimized for Windows 8.1, 10". Windows Report - Windows 10 and Microsoft News, How-to Tips. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ CBS Interactive.
- ^ a b "Evolving Solitaire - Microsoft Casual Games". December 3, 2015. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ^ "Enable Hidden Secret "Debug" Menu in Microsoft "Solitaire" Game in Windows Vista and 7 - AskVG". December 15, 2011.
- ^ Callaham, John (July 31, 2015). "Here's what Microsoft says about Windows 10's version of Solitaire and its ad-supported model". Windows Central. Mobile Nations.
- ^ Kamen, Matt (July 30, 2015). "Windows 10 makes you pay to remove ads from Solitaire". Wired UK. Condé Nast.
- ^ "Classic or Klondike? - Microsoft Casual Games". November 16, 2015. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ^ "Microsoft Solitaire Collection coming to iOS and Android devices - On MSFT". August 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Microsoft Solitaire Collection is coming to Android and iOS - MSPoweruser". August 23, 2016.
- ^ a b Jensen, Paul; Manager, Studio; Games, Microsoft Casual (November 23, 2016). "World's Most Popular Solitaire Game Now Available on iOS and Android".
- ^ "News". Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ^ Luckerson, Victor (July 29, 2015). "Windows 10 Solitaire Costs $9.99 a Year". Time. Time Inc. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015.
- ^ Walker, Alissa (July 29, 2015). "If You Want Microsoft Solitaire Ad-Free It'll Cost You $10/Year". Gizmodo. Gawker Media.
- ^ Chalk, Andy (July 29, 2015). "Windows 10 Solitaire requires a subscription to remove ads". PC Gamer. Future plc.
- telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group.
- ^ Meer, Alec (July 30, 2015). "Windows 10 Is Spying On You: Here's How To Stop It". Rock Paper Shotgun.
- ^ "Microsoft Solitaire Collection – Games on Microsoft Store". Microsoft.
- ^ "Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Hades, Skate, Curse of the Dead Gods, and More". Xbox Wire. August 3, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- ^ "Microsoft Solitaire turns 30 years old today and still has 35 million monthly players". May 22, 2020.
External links
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Windows Store
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection Archived April 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine on MSN Games