At Microsoft, I helped evolve the Microsoft Casual Games portfolio for mobile, balancing the needs of established franchises with the expectations of modern mobile players. My work ranged from UX redesigns and new game modes to platform optimization and feature design across several titles, always with an emphasis on accessibility, engagement, and intuitive player experiences.

Microsoft Solitaire

Because Microsoft Solitaire is one of the world’s most-played games, every change had to respect decades of player expectations. My contributions included UX improvements, platform optimization, player leveling, premium conversion, GDPR compliance, and News of the Day.

Wordament

I designed two new Daily Challenges, Balloon Pop and Gold Rush, each encouraging players to think about word finding in entirely new ways. Balloon Pop required players to use every tile while strategically managing a roaming score multiplier. Gold Rush rewarded long-term planning by encouraging players to chain specific letter combinations within the same word.

Beyond gameplay, I redesigned the mobile UX around one-handed play. Navigation was moved into comfortable thumb reach, and I streamlined the flow between Daily Challenges to encourage longer play sessions. The resulting interaction patterns became the template for future mobile titles across the Microsoft Casual Games portfolio.

Sudoku

When Sudoku moved from PC to mobile, I led the UX adaptation using many of the interaction patterns established in Wordament. I also helped design Ice Breaker, a new Daily Challenge where solving cells triggered chain reactions that cracked surrounding ice, gradually revealing hidden information and giving players satisfying visual feedback as they progressed.