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 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 Apr- 07 1,000,000 May-07 500,000
0 Jun-07
Uno*
Trivia
Luxor
Cubis
Hexic*
Mozaki
Chess*
Quarto*
7 Hand* 7
Reversi*
Billiards*
Upwords
Solitaire*
MahJong
Checkers*
Bejeweled*
TicTacToe*
JewelQuest
Jigsaw Too* Jigsaw
Sudoku Too* Sudoku
Minesweeper*
Backgammon*
MahJongQuest Wheel of Fortuneof Wheel
* = localized title Rock Paper Scissors* Paper Rock 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
0
06 07
06 07 07
07
06 06 07
06 06
07
- -
- - -
-
- - -
- -
-
Jul
Apr
Oct
Jan Jun
Feb Mar
Dec Aug Sep Nov May % of Messenger Sessions
70.00% Messenger games 60.00% average 49 min/session 50.00% 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 3,000,000 MSN Games Messenger 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 11. Texas Hold’em 2. Text Twist 12. Bespelled 3. Zuma 13. Jewel Quest 4. Spades 14. Bejeweled (Original) 5. Mah Jong 15. Cubis (Original) 6. Bridge 16. Hearts 7. Scrabble Blast 17. Hexic 8. Luxor 18. Backgammon 9. Cubis 2 19. Alchemy 10. Solitaire 20. Collapse
Total game hours over the past 12 months Bold – also a top 20 download game 1. Bejeweled 2 11. Diner Dash: Flo on 2. MCF: Prime Suspects the Go 3. MCF: Ravenhearst 12. Virtual Villagers: Lost 4. Cake Mania Children 5. Virtual Villagers 13. Cradle of Rome 6. Hidden Expedition Titanic 14. Mah Jong Tiles 7. Luxor 2 15. Dream Day Wedding 8. Zuma Deluxe 16. Cubis Gold 2 9. Diner Dash 2 17. Luxor 10. Bespelled 18. SCRABBLE Blast Deluxe 19. MCF: Huntsville Purchases over the past 12 months 20. Treasures of Bold – also a top 20 web game 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: mcg[[at]]microsoft[[dot]]com Oberon: developers[[at]]oberon-media[[dot]]com Real: RA-BizDe[[at]]real[[dot]]com WorldWinner: 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.