Microsoft has made two of its most popular casual game titles available on Facebook and MySpace. The Redmond company is attempting to increase its presence among social networking communities, and in this regard is taking advantage of the world's top players. The “Hexic” and “Chess” games are both accessible to Facebook users as well as MySpace members, delivered as applications put together by Plexipixel. The original MSN Games titles were developed by Microsoft’s Carbonated Games studio.

“We’re excited to bring two of our most popular games to the Facebook and MySpace communities,” revealed Megan Hodel, marketing manager for MSN Games at Microsoft. “These networks reach more than 200 million people around the world, and the MSN Games applications will make it easier and more fun for Facebook and MySpace users to play some of their favorite casual games.”

Accompanying the launch of the games, Microsoft has also introduced a new MSN Games page on Facebook. According to the software giant the MSN Games Facebook page will serve as a hotspot for casual gamers to grab the titles for their personal pages, but also share content, including photos and messages, as well as view videos. Both games, even as Facebook and MySpace applications, have integrated the MSN Games collectible merit badge system. In this manner, gamers will be able to access rewards for playing.

When it comes down to “Chess,” the game was tweaked in order to allow what Microsoft referred to as asynchronous multiplayer functionality. This means that gamers will be able to make a new move when they are logged in.

“MSN Games turned to Plexipixel to help them gain a foothold in the world of social. We brought Hexic to Facebook and MySpace, and we also turned their IM version of Chess into an asynchronous game for both sides. We designed the social experience around the games, incorporated their Badge reward system into the game play, and we handle the web-database hosting,” reads a message from Plexipixel.