[promo title=]Job advertisements are wonderful things. They allow us a glimpse into the mindset of gigantic corporations like Microsoft, particularly when those corporations are under new management.[/promo]
In Microsoft’s case, this glimpse appears to lead us into the realm of online casual gaming. Have you ever wondered what browser-based oddities like ‘FableVille‘ or ‘Halo Heroes‘ might look like? Perhaps your imaginings aren’t as far-fetched as you thought (or hoped). Today a curious little ad for a Senior Software Development Engineer has appeared on Microsoft’s recruitment pages for the Redmond area, asking for:
“…a strong Software Development Engineer to help build and maintain world-class casual gaming portals.”
The ad goes on:
“Passion for web and casual games is a must. Experience shipping modern, responsive web sites and services is pivotal for this position.
Core Software Development Engineer tasks include: driving development of a fast-paced online project; managing vendor development teams; designing and implementing cutting-edge web sites and applications using the latest tools and technologies; and supporting third-party game developers.”
Of course it goes without saying this is all rumour and speculation, but it isn’t so difficult to see Microsoft putting some of the major IP under their belt to good – or, depending on your stance, regrettable – use with the casual gaming crowd. Fable, Halo and Gears of War are all the obvious choices, but what about those franchises that have been tucked away in the bottom drawers for a while? Perhaps we’ll be playing a browser-based Viva Pinata game in the next couple of years…
Then there are the next-gen projects that show a degree of casual flexibility. Project Spark is a ripe little fruit that wouldn’t look out of place if it were to be shared across multiple online platforms and sites. Imagine being able to tweak your numerous Project Spark constructions on PC, as well as through mobile and tablet devices and the Xbox One. Or perhaps liaising with partitioned Spark communities, who are developing certain genres of Spark-fueled games across the world. After all, according to Microsoft the next-gen is all about sharing our gaming experiences with each other, and is there a better way to do this than through a browser at the click of a button?
This isn’t the first time a major publisher and developer would have ventured deeper into the casual online market. EA have done their fair share of casual tie-ins, with products such as (the now dead) Flash game Dragon Age Legends, iOS title Mass Effect Galaxy and the much-hated Dungeon Keeper Mobile.
If Microsoft are looking to expand their territory in the casual games market, the two biggest questions are ‘With what IP?’ and ‘With what payment schemes?’