Microsoft is celebrating 30 years since Solitaire was launched on Windows PCs, becoming a staple in classic computer gaming.
The card game dates back hundreds of years, but landed on Windows 3.0 in 1990. And, many of us spent countless hours playing said game after that.
But, the purpose of the game wasn't to waste people's time or help them pretend to work while their boss was looking. It was intended to teach people how to use a computer mouse.
“The game helped people learn how to drag and drop items on their computer screens using a mouse, which was novel at the time," said Paul Jensen, studio head of Microsoft Casual Games.
Did you know? Microsoft Solitaire was originally invented to teach people how to use the mouse. 🖱️ Help us celebra… https://t.co/DAO37eqGaK— Microsoft (@Microsoft) 1590098400.0
According to Microsoft, there have been more than half-a-billion players in the past decade alone.
Twitter was surprised to hear about the true purpose of the game.
@Microsoft But then instead it teached people how to procrastinate before the internet was popular 😉— Dominik Liebler 👨💻🎮🏊🚴🏈 (@Dominik Liebler 👨💻🎮🏊🚴🏈) 1590098531.0
@Microsoft Welp, my mum must be a professional mouse user then haha— Magena 🌚 (@Magena 🌚) 1590098542.0
@Microsoft Wow! And now its one of the greatest timepass— Vishaal Pinisetti (@Vishaal Pinisetti) 1590098486.0
Today, Solitaire still has huge appeal, with the newer Microsoft Solitaire Collection hosting 35 million players each month, from more than 200 countries and territories.
♠️♥️ Happy 30th to Microsoft Solitaire! ♣️♦️ Help us celebrate this timeless classic by participating in today's… https://t.co/96zs9VUUUq— Microsoft (@Microsoft) 1590174013.0
To mark National Solitaire Day, the tech giant is urging players to help set a record for the most games of Microsoft Solitaire completed in one day. And, I want to know how many people join in!