14 DAY TRIAL // Minesweeper and Sudoku are the latest additions to the Windows Phone Marketplace, Microsoft announced, revealing that the Xbox LIVE variants of the two games can be downloaded free of charge.
Owners of Windows Phone 7 devices will be able to grab both Xbox LIVE Sudoku and Xbox LIVE Minesweeper immediately, but only if they’re located in the United States.
According to Microsoft’s Michael Stroh, both Minesweeper and Sudoku for Windows Phone 7 went live only on the U.S. Marketplace for the software giant’s mobile platform.
“U.S. only and no plans to introduce elsewhere. If the Xbox team ever has a change of heart or plans, I'll be sure to let you know,” he stated.
As far as I’m concerned, Microsoft proves once again that it cannot think as a truly international company, and that U.S. customers seem to be the only true focus of the software giant, while owners of Windows Phone 7 devices worldwide are regarded as second class citizens, getting less services and content, even though they pay more for WP7 smartphones.
“But these aren’t just any versions of the classic games. They’re official Xbox LIVE editions—so now they come with all kinds of cool powerups and achievements. Best of all? These ad-supported titles will cost you nothing (except your workday),” Stroh added.
I must say, that for those that can indeed get Xbox LIVE Sudoku and Xbox LIVE Minesweeper for WP7 and start resolving the puzzles offered by the two titles, the gaming experience sounds great.
“The goal in Minesweeper is to clear the board using flags to safely mark potential hidden mines. One wrong move and it’s game over. The new Xbox LIVE version comes with two modes—Classic and Speed—and as many as 4 different levels of difficulty each,” Stroh added.
“Sudoku, the hit Japanese numbers-based logic game, challenges you to fill a 9x9 grid with the numbers 1 to 9. (But of course it’s not quite as simple as it sounds.) Play it in Classic or Lightning mode.”
