Casual Games - fact sheet

About Microsoft Casual Games
Microsoft® Casual Games now offers more than 400 games via MSN® Games, Windows Live Messenger Games, Microsoft Windows® Games, Xbox LIVE® Arcade and soon mobile games, providing the ultimate playing experience to more than 125 million casual gamers per month and allowing players from around the world to compete, collaborate and socialize — anywhere, anytime.

What Is a Casual Game?
Casual games are a variety of card, puzzle, word and arcade-style games available on all five of Microsoft Corp.’s game platforms. From PC to mobile platforms, casual games are known for being easy to learn and difficult to master — providing gameplay that gives you a fun, entertaining break whether you’ve got five minutes or five hours.

Who Plays Casual Games?
If you’ve ever played solitaire on your PC, you’ve played a casual game and might even be considered a “casual gamer.” A casual gamer is anyone — regardless of age, experience or gender — who enjoys taking a break and having a bit of fun with an online, downloadable or networked game. In fact, playing games is the third most common activity users do with their personal computers (No. 1 is using e-mail; No. 2 is Web browsing). According to DFC Intelligence and the Casual Games Association, the number of consumers attracted to free casual games is estimated to be more than 150 million worldwide, which means 57 million people in North America will play casual games online at least once this year, up from 34 million four years ago. From grandparents and kids to teenagers and working parents, everyone can benefit from the relaxation and stress-reducing entertainment that comes with playing casual games. According to a recent comScore Media Metrix study, there are more than 60 million visits to online games sites per month; 52 percent of those visitors are female, and of those women the majority are age 25 or older.

How Big Is the Casual Games Industry?
The casual games space is growing at an unprecedented rate, and Microsoft has emerged as an undisputed leader in multiple-platform casual offerings, with more than 10 years of experience in the space. According to DFC Intelligence, revenue from casual games is expected to grow from $713 million (U.S.) in 2005 to $1.56 billion (U.S.) in 2008, fueled by the global appeal of games such as “Bejeweled,” “Hexic®,” “Diner Dash” and “Bespelled.”

Microsoft Casual Games Platforms

• MSN Games. One of the largest and most established online games sites in the industry, MSN Games (http://www.games.msn.com) is the exclusive games channel for MSN. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2006, MSN Games hosts more than 13 million unique users each month and delivers a diverse selection of more than 300 free casual single-player and multiplayer games, downloadable games, and premium multiplayer games including action, puzzle, card, board, word and trivia games.
• Messenger Games. Windows Live™ Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger) is one of the world’s most popular free instant messaging (IM) services. A rich interactive platform, Messenger’s growing portfolio of more than two dozen puzzle, word and turn-based games is enjoyed by 16 million casual gamers every month.
• Windows Games. Today, Windows XP comes with a dozen easy-to-learn and fun-to-play pre-installed games, such as backgammon, checkers, hearts and “Reversi.” In 2007, Windows Vista™ will make it even easier to find and play games with a new My Games navigation tool and a full suite of pre-installed games, including re-mastered versions of classics such as solitaire and “Minesweeper,” as well as a number of great new games including “Mah Jong Tiles” and “Purble Place” for kids.
• Xbox LIVE Arcade. Building upon the success of the Xbox 360™ console and the Xbox Live service, Xbox Live Arcade offers fun, broad-appeal games delivered directly to a player’s living room. More than 18 million Xbox Live Arcade games have been downloaded since the launch of Xbox 360 in November 2005. Xbox Live Arcade games are available for download in a wide variety of genres, including puzzle, card and board, retro arcade favorites and action games.

Microsoft, MSN, Windows, Xbox, Xbox LIVE, Hexic, Windows Live, Windows Vista, Xbox 360 and Windows Mobile are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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