Leverage social networking in game mechanic - Viral. Cooperative games
complemented by chat. Simple – don't require focused concentration, can be.
Travis Howland Group Manager Microsoft Corporation
Leverage social networking in game mechanic - Viral Cooperative games complemented by chat Simple – don’t require focused concentration, can be played in “bites” Broad, international appeal Teens and twenties Consider a bot – AI opponent or game guide Use platform features – SDK, user tiles, skins, winks, etc. Games that play well with music from an outside source
Ellen Beeman Executive Producer Carbonated Games
Minesweeper*
TicTacToe*
Upwords
MahJongQuest
Mozaki
MahJong
JewelQuest
Luxor
Cubis
Wheel of Fortune
Trivia
Chess*
Billiards*
Backgammon*
Quarto*
Hexic*
Reversi*
Sudoku Too*
7 Hand*
Solitaire*
Jigsaw Too*
Bejeweled*
Rock Paper Scissors*
* = localized title
Checkers*
Uno*
Messenger Games Monthly Visitors
4,500,000 4,000,000 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0
Apr- 07 May-07 Jun-07
Messenger Game Hours by Month 35,000,000 30,000,000
25,000,000 20,000,000 15,000,000 10,000,000 5,000,000 Jun-07
May-07
Apr-07
Mar-07
Feb-07
Jan-07
Dec-06
Nov-06
Oct-06
Sep-06
Aug-06
Jul-06
0
% of Messenger Sessions
70.00% 60.00% 50.00%
Messenger games average 49 min/session
40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Less 1 - 3 3 - 5 5 - 11 - 21 - 31 - 41 - 51 - More than min min 11 21 31 41 51 60 than 1 min min min min min min 60 min min
It’s huge 300M users by EOFY07 If Messenger were a country… Messenger is ~2.5X Xbox Live
It’s young Bulk of audience between 13-34
It’s worldwide 95% overseas Strong in Europe
It’s connected Built-in Community Messages are 5X the mail sent by USPS
WW UUs by age range* 7,000,000 6,000,000
5,000,000 4,000,000 MSN Games Messenger
3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 13 to 18 to 25 to 35 to 45 to 55 to 65 and 17 24 34 44 54 64 up
MSN Games web site
Messenger games 29% Male Female
71%
43% 57%
Source: Nov 2006 Avenue A study, US-market focus
We’ve been in Casual Games for over 10 years 1996 – Multiplayer card and board Started with Bridge, Chess, Spades, Checkers, Go, Reversi, and Hearts
1999 – Advergames like Toyota Tundra 1999 – Subscription multiplayer games Bridge Club
2000 – Single-player web games Blender, Double Trouble, and Blackjack
2002 – Download games Bejeweled, Mah Jong Tiles, and Dynomite
2006 – Tethered download subscription 2007 – Advertising revenue share
New Site Redesign Discoverability for Games Search Web for Games Game Browser
New Game subscription service Community Engagement MSN Games Forums MSN Games Alerts Member Benefits Program Community programs such as 1000 Badges club
Video Ads
Support Service hiccup: 20 cancellations
“Thanks so much for all your help in putting that (prize box) together. Everyone that attends our event all met at MSN Games so it really means a lot to everyone when they receive something.”
Community Helping Community Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much. Followed your directions first time..... BLAM all went through was able 2 play first game in 2 days!!!! Thank you. “Holy sweetness dude lol.....i used to work on RM (rocket mania) from let to right, and ur tip to do it from right to let, holy **** man!....... thanks for the tip dude....awesome.....now my scores are.....61,605 high score....92,615 total lifetime....Mastery level 6 badge”
1. Bejeweled 2 2. Text Twist 3. Zuma 4. Spades 5. Mah Jong 6. Bridge 7. Scrabble Blast 8. Luxor 9. Cubis 2 10. Solitaire
11. Texas Hold’em 12. Bespelled 13. Jewel Quest 14. Bejeweled (Original) 15. Cubis (Original) 16. Hearts 17. Hexic 18. Backgammon 19. Alchemy 20. Collapse
Total game hours over the past 12 months Bold – also a top 20 download game
1. Bejeweled 2 2. MCF: Prime Suspects 3. MCF: Ravenhearst 4. Cake Mania 5. Virtual Villagers 6. Hidden Expedition Titanic 7. Luxor 2 8. Zuma Deluxe 9. Diner Dash 2 10. Bespelled
Purchases over the past 12 months Bold – also a top 20 web game
11. Diner Dash: Flo on the Go 12. Virtual Villagers: Lost Children 13. Cradle of Rome 14. Mah Jong Tiles 15. Dream Day Wedding 16. Cubis Gold 2 17. Luxor 18. SCRABBLE Blast Deluxe 19. MCF: Huntsville 20. Treasures of Montezuma
Exclusivity program participation MSN Home Page promotion
Online games; compelling upsells GameSpring parity Compelling visual graphics Taglines: call to action, etc. Promotions: contextual, discounts, themes, etc. Bundles: themes, sequels
MSN Games works with a number of preferred partners in offering games Download and Web games – Oberon Media Subscription – Real Networks Skill Gaming – WorldWinner
Exceptions that warrant direct relationships IP licensing/publishing Sponsored or advergame titles Cross-platform titles, new technologies and other platform-defining efforts
Top-tier developers can still participate in co-marketing and promotional opportunities, even if working through a partner
MSN Games: Oberon: Real: WorldWinner:
mcg[[at]]microsoft[[dot]]com developers[[at]]oberon-media[[dot]]com RA-BizDe[[at]]real[[dot]]com cmoo[[at]]worldwinner[[dot]]com
LIVE service features extended to Windows Gamerscore Achievements And more…
Multiplayer: gamers can find and connect with other gamers on Windows or Xbox 360 A very focused release November 2007 Contact our Account Management Team: mcg[[at]]microsoft[[dot]]com
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.
