Windows 10 asks $9.99 a year for ad-free version of Solitaire

Seems like Microsoft is trying out new revenue models with Windows 10 after all. Among offices all over the globe, Solitaire is probably one of the most popular Windows games ever but the version included with Windows 10 has adopted a freemium business model.

The game has been expanded with new card faces, new game types, coins and tournaments, but the biggest chance perhaps is the inclusion of video ads that show up randomly between game matches. The ads are full-screen and run for about 30 seconds, which will be very annoying for people looking to kill some time playing a game of Solitaire.

Windows 8.x also had a freemium version of Solitaire but this wasn't included with the OS but provided as an optional download. Users wishing to get rid of the ads are asked to pay Microsoft $9.99 a year (or $1.49 a month).

Paying $9.99 for a year of premium Solitaire (or $1.49 for a month) removes the video ads, and delivers more coins for daily challenges and a boost in two modes of play. The Windows 8.1 version of the game also included the ability to pay to remove ads, though it wasn't pre-installed with the operating system.

Source: Polygon