Microsoft has included Solitaire for free with every OS since Windows 3.0 back in 1990. On top of that, there are monthly fees for playing multiplayer on consoles. To keep playing, we have to buy expansions. We're asked to pay for additional in-game bonuses or items. Simply paying for a game and then owning the entire product forever is rare these days. Over the past few years, we've seen many developers incorporate optional cash purchases or premium subscriptions into their game. In a way, though, Microsoft's freemium makeover of Solitaire isn't that surprising. Chipping away at its core strength - convenience - seems like a silly move. It's easy entertainment for someone bored at work or starting up their computer for the first time. Who would actually pay for Solitaire, or rather, Solitaire with fewer ads and more meaningless coins? Half of the game's appeal is rooted in the fact that it's free and pre-installed with Windows. The only saving grace of this subscription model is that zero people are going to use it.
