Austin GDC: Microsoft talks casual gaming

Kim Pallister, Microsoftâs game platform strategist, outlined the companyâs casual game platforms and business models at the Austin Game Developers Conference.

For Microsoft, âcasual gamingâ incorporates MSN Games, Windows Live Messenger, Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade in addition to Games for Windows.

MSN Games boasts 14 million unique users each month. Its games can be downloaded for a fee or played free online, supported by advertising. The Top 10 most downloaded games are Bejeweled 2, MCF: Prime Suspects, MCF: Ravenhearst, Cake Mania, Virtual Villagers, Hidden Expedition: Titanic, Luxor 2, Zuma Deluxe, Diner Dash 2, and Bespelled.

Speaking of another platform, Pallister said âA lot of people donât know that Windows Live Messenger is a games platform, which is a faux pas on our part.â He indicated that Microsoft would be taking steps to increase awareness of the platform.

With Windows Live Messenger, Microsoft projects 300 million users by the end of fiscal 2007. The bulk of the audience is between the ages of 13 and 34, split almost equally between men and women.

The Top 10 most popular Windows Live messenger games consist of UNO, Checkers, Tic-Tac-Toe, Minesweeper Flags, Bejeweled, Rock Paper Scissors, Solitaire, Jigsaw Too, 7 Hand Poker, and Sudoku Too.

Windows Live Messenger games are more popular in Europe than in the US or Asia, with its biggest support coming from gamers in France.

Developers interested in releasing their game for MSN Network or Windows Live Messenger platforms need to make arrangements with Oberon Media or RealNetworks, as Microsoft doesnât normally deal directly with developers.

There are also numerous prerequisites for game approval, including quality and portfolio fit, content requirements, and technical requirements which vary by platform.

With respect to Xbox Live Arcade, Pallister noted that there were more than 85 games currently available. Although he had not seen the sales data from the recent Labour Day weekend discount offer in the US, he believes that it was popular with gamers.

By usage, the most popular Xbox Live Arcade games in 2007 are TMNT (1989 arcade), Worms, UNO, Castlevania, 3D Minigolf Adventures, Paperboy, Alien Hominid, Geometry Wars, Texas Hold âEm, and Heavy Weapon.

By sales volume, the most popular Xbox Live Arcade games are Street Fighter II, UNO, TMNT (1989 arcade), Worms, Doom, Castlevania, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Pac-Man, Geometry Wars, and Contra.

When asked which of Microsoftâs casual gaming platforms currently provided developers with the greatest opportunity for making money, Pallister singled out Xbox Live Arcade.