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The History of… Minesweeper (1990)

Minesweeper, unlike many video games, does not have a traditional backstory or plot. The game is essentially a single-player puzzle game where the player is tasked with clearing a rectangular board containing hidden “mines” without detonating any of them, using clues about the number of neighboring mines in each field. The setting suggests a minefield clearance operation, invoking the tension and strategy involved in navigating dangerous territories, but there is no storyline or narrative driving the gameplay.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Minesweeper is straightforward yet challenging. The game board is a grid of cells, some of which contain mines. The rest of the cells are either blank or contain numbers that indicate the number of mines in the adjacent cells. The player clicks on cells to reveal what is underneath. A mine detonates when clicked on, ending the game. A number reveals itself when clicked, helping the player deduce which neighboring cells are safe to click next. The goal is to clear all cells without mines. Right-clicking on a cell marks it with a flag to indicate a suspected mine, aiding in logical deduction and further moves.

Development

Minesweeper was developed by Robert Donner in 1989. Originally employed at Microsoft, Donner created the game inspired by an earlier game called “Mined-Out” from 1983, which was itself influenced by the mainframe game “Cube.” Minesweeper was intended as a simple, engaging game that would help users become more familiar with the mouse’s operation, which was relatively new to many users at the time.

Developer/Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Designer/Programmer: Robert Donner
Platforms: Windows
Release date: Initially released as part of Microsoft Entertainment Pack in 1990, included in Windows 3.1 from 1992
Genre: Puzzle
Mode: Single-player
RRP when released: Minesweeper was not sold separately; it was included as a free game in Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
Where to play it now?: Minesweeper is available online for free.

Release Details

Minesweeper was first released as part of Microsoft’s Entertainment Pack for Windows in 1990, which was a set of casual games designed to help new users become accustomed to using a graphical user interface. Later, it was included with Windows 3.1 in 1992, becoming a standard feature in subsequent Windows operating systems, which greatly increased its accessibility and popularity.

Reception and Reviews

Upon its release, Minesweeper was met with widespread acclaim for its simplicity, ease of play, and cognitive challenges. It quickly became a popular tool for honing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Its inclusion in Windows operating systems ensured that it reached a massive audience, making it one of the most recognizable computer games of the 1990s.

Reviews of Minesweeper often highlight its addictive nature and the simplicity of its design. It is frequently noted for its ability to be learned quickly while still providing depth and strategic complexity. The game is also praised for its minimalistic graphics and controls, which allow players of all ages and backgrounds to engage with it without prior gaming experience.

Cultural Impact

Minesweeper has had a significant cultural impact. It became a staple of office culture in the 1990s, often used as a mental break during the workday. The game has been featured in various forms of media and has inspired countless memes and parodies. It also contributed to the early popularization of computer-based puzzle games.

Follow-ups

Although Minesweeper itself has not had direct sequels, it has inspired a variety of similar games and spin-offs, both official and unofficial. These include variations with different themes, configurations, and additional gameplay features. The basic premise of mine clearance has been adapted to various platforms and devices, maintaining the game’s popularity across generations.

Minesweeper remains a beloved classic, admired for its simplicity and the profound depth of its puzzle-solving gameplay, continuing to challenge and entertain players around the world.

Cheats

1. XYZZY Cheat:
   • To activate this cheat, start Minesweeper and type “xyzzy” and then press Shift + Enter. Now, when you move the mouse cursor over any cell on the Minesweeper grid, the top left pixel of your screen will change color. If it turns white, the cell you’re hovering over does not contain a mine; if it turns black, there is a mine.
   • This cheat gives a significant advantage, although it can be a bit cumbersome to keep looking at the top left corner of your screen.
2. Opening Move Guarantee:
   • In many versions of Minesweeper, your first click on the grid will never be a mine. This is actually by design rather than a cheat, meant to ensure that all players start off on equal footing and don’t lose the game immediately.

Easter Eggs

1. Win XP Minesweeper Easter Egg:
   • In the Windows XP version of Minesweeper, there’s a fun little trick to reveal all mines without ending the game. First, open the game, then start a new game and type “xyzzy”. Next, hold down the Shift key for a few seconds. While holding Shift, minimize the game window and then restore it. You will notice that the white or black pixel trick (as described in the XYZZY cheat) works without continuously holding Shift.
2. Minesweeper Version Information:
   • In older versions of Minesweeper, clicking on the “Help” menu and then selecting “About” while holding down the Control key would bring up a detailed dialog box containing information about the version of the game and credits to the developers. This wasn’t exactly hidden, but many users were unaware of its existence.

Minesweeper is a single-player puzzle game developed by Microsoft. Players clear a grid of hidden mines using numerical clues indicating nearby mines. The objective is to open all non-mine cells without detonating any mines, using logic and deduction. It became popular as a pre-installed Windows game from 1992.

Minesweeper is a single-player puzzle game developed by Microsoft. Players clear a grid of hidden mines using numerical clues indicating nearby mines. The objective is to open all non-mine cells without detonating any mines, using logic and deduction. It became popular as a pre-installed Windows game from 1992.