Introduction
MSN Games or the Microsoft Gaming Zone through to about the start of the internet became a guide for the casual gamer worldwide. Originally launched in 1996, MSN Games was a portal to which many computer users turned for a casual solitaire, chess or any of the other many games that were available. But beyond merely the games themselves, it was the community that immersed MSN Games that set it apart from other similar sites. This was an article that aimed at giving an insight to the community of MSN Games and how it has grown and even how it has shifted the face of online gaming even to this date.
The Early Days: Creating a Community
MSN Games at its inception was one of the few online platforms that allowed for a number of games that could be played for free. It was initially a small community dedicated to playing simple card and board games such as Hearts, Spades and Backgammon. Early players were not only interested in the games themselves, but in the social contract which games afforded them. Thus the chatting that was included in the games helped the players to respond to each other, make friends and even have something in common.
Growing with the platform was the community of interested people too. MSN Games was thus established as a virtual platform that would allow players from different parts of the world to come and meet. The community was highly diversified, players of all ages and from different parts of the world could be found in the game. Some were motivated to get to the top of the rankings as highly as possible and more were content with the game per say and the ability to build friendships out of it.
The Use of Game Lobbies and Chat Rooms
Another unique aspect in the operation of MSN Games was the consideration of the game lobbies and chat rooms. These places were not just passages, lobbies or antechambers; these were the zones where life surged. Such as players haunting specific lobbies discussing the strategy, sharing the tips or just having a small talk about the current day events. Such interactions defined the patterns of community and made Microsoft Games Network not only a place for the games but for the socializing as well.
In these lobbies, players would easily find that they knew each other and often, they would be grouped in what could be termed as ‘clubs’ that played together, especially on a regular basis. The chat rooms also provided for a certain amount of individuality and fun as player’s could create avatars, and use “smileys” and the like. This form of interaction and personalisation was rather high for that period of time and was one of the cornerstones in constructing the community.
Playing competitively and hosting tournaments
That is why, as the number of people in the community was growing, the need for competitive games was forcing itself into the foreground. MSN Games was quick to respond to the need by conducting tournaments and developing aspects that let the players play ranked matches. For many players these tournaments were important, as on top of the reason for proving ability-competitiveness of their character, they offered the player recognition within the game community.
Competitions were mostly competitive but friendly, and winning a tournament could earn a player a lot of recognition from fellow players. This competitive character of MSN Games was useful to continue the activity of the community and to make the platform longer.
Challenges and Evolution
Nevertheless, the MSN Games community had a number of problems in the course of its existence during the year. With the change in generations and gaming platforms and technologies the company had to start combating the shift in player mentality in this regard. With the coming of social media and increased mobile device usage, the players had a variety of games to choose from thus using the MSN Games less.
It therefore upgraded its services and new features as well as its list of games for the consumption of the consumers to ensure that it remained competitive. However, as days passed, it can also be noted that most of the old users of this kind of community find that these changes undermined its uniqueness and appeal. It also caused players to scatter on other platforms and thus, some of the players felt a lack of a community that was formerly felt.
Legacy and Impact
Proof of this is the fact, however much MSN Games may not be as forceful in the industry as it used to be. The people that surrounded the MSN Games had the efforts that made the social impact of modern gaming possible. Most of the things contemporary Net games can boast of, including in-game dialogue, personalization of the avatars and profiles, as well as contests and competitions, originated in sites like MSN Games.
Members of the MSN Games community are now able to reminisce about gaming in the wee hours on the Internet, animated chat rooms and stiff competition. The players became friends on the webpage, and most of them discussed issues, talked or texted each other regularly even if they did not play the game anymore.
Conclusion
The presence of a community is something that made the MSN Games so unique and that was actually their main strength. It was a domain which allowed everybody to gather and be friends with each other, share the passion for games and the desire for social contacts. Even though the platform does not exist anymore, the same can be said about many online gaming communities that came to exist thanks to the community of friends that was established by this platform in the beginning of the internet’s usage. It would be rather impossible not to recognize that MSN Games would not have been successful just in the games that it provided, but the fantastic, unbounded, and friendly community that it had fostered.
