Workflow
连比尔·盖茨都沉迷的扫雷和纸牌,藏着微软一段30年的「摸鱼」史
3 6 Ke·2025-06-26 09:33

Core Points - Microsoft has evolved into the world's third-largest gaming company, with Windows becoming a significant gaming platform over the past three decades [2][38] - The initial perception of Windows was as a serious business tool, with early games like "Microsoft Flight Simulator" and "Reversi" not establishing it as a gaming platform [2][3] Group 1: Development of Windows Games - Microsoft aimed to demonstrate the entertainment value of Windows by developing games, driven by programmers who wanted to have fun during their spare time [3][4] - The creation of the card game by intern Wes Cherry in 1988 was a pivotal moment, leading to its integration into Windows 3.0, which was initially intended to help users become familiar with the mouse [4][7] - The card game became one of the top three most-used programs in Windows, surpassing even Word and Excel in usage time [7][11] Group 2: Microsoft Entertainment Pack - The Microsoft Entertainment Pack was launched with minimal budget and aimed to provide casual gaming experiences for users [12][16] - The first entertainment pack was released in 1990, followed by three more packs within two years, showcasing games like Tetris and Minesweeper [16][19] - Minesweeper gained immense popularity, even captivating Bill Gates, who reportedly deleted it from his computer to avoid addiction [20][22] Group 3: Legacy and Modernization - The success of these early games led Microsoft to recognize the importance of gaming in enhancing the appeal of Windows [11][38] - Classic games like Solitaire and Minesweeper have been updated and modernized, continuing to be part of the Windows experience [9][25] - The legacy of these games is evident in modern iterations, such as the inclusion of SkiFree in Windows 11's installation interface [36][38]