The Evolution of Minesweeper: How Microsoft Turned a Free Game into a Money-Maker

Minesweeper, a game that was once a free add-on to the Windows operating system, has undergone significant changes in recent years. Originally designed to teach users how to use a mouse and differentiate Windows from other operating systems, the game had become an afterthought by 2011, contributing little to Microsoft's bottom line. However, with the release of Windows 8, Minesweeper was revamped to include advertisements, a move that marked a significant shift in the game's business model. Players can now download and play the game for free, but they must endure ads, including banner ads and 30-second video ads that interrupt gameplay. For a fee, players can opt for an ad-free version of the game, but this requires a $9.99 annual subscription. The game's designers claim that monetization was not the primary concern, but rather a balance between user experience and revenue opportunity. The new Minesweeper also features Daily Challenges, which offer micro-sized doses of the game with twists on the classic formula. These challenges reward players with virtual coins that can be redeemed for trophies, creating an artificial motivation to play the game regularly. While some may see these changes as exploitative, the game's designers argue that they have struck a balance between user experience and revenue, and that the game's reviews and retention rates are indicative of its success.