Avast ye! Whilst ye new-fangled Microsoft Surface be busy settin' up, ye may plunder a retro 90s game!
2023-10-05
Avast ye, me hearties! Microsoft be addin' some zest to yer Windows 11 installs, allowin' ye noble Surface Laptop users to partake in a jolly web-surfing game whilst settin' up yer shipshape system. Aye, a truly swashbucklin' adventure awaits!
Microsoft has introduced major updates to Windows 11, including an update to the installation process for new Surface devices. Now, while waiting for the setup and update process to complete, users can play a game to pass the time. This feature was first spotted by Tom Warren of the Verge when he opened the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and found a modernized version of the online game SkiFree, originally created by a Microsoft programmer in 1991.This isn't the first time Microsoft has included SkiFree as a mini-game distraction. It has been available as an easter egg in Microsoft's Edge browser since 2020. It's not entirely clear if the game can be played during updates on existing devices or only during the setup process of new Surface devices. Microsoft has yet to provide more information on the topic.
Regardless, this addition adds a fun element to the otherwise tedious Windows update process. It also shows that Microsoft developers pay attention to details to improve the overall user experience. The current setup process is already an improvement from previous versions, which relied heavily on Cortana guiding users through the process, a feature some found unhelpful or annoying.
BetaNews speculates that Microsoft may have borrowed the idea from a third-party developer who created a custom version of Windows called 'Windows Utopia', which also allows users to play games during installation. The addition of the game has been well-received by Windows fans, which is beneficial for Microsoft as it launches its new AI assistant, Windows Copilot, which hasn't received the same level of enthusiasm.
Overall, the inclusion of the game shows Microsoft's attention to detail and commitment to improving the user experience, and hopefully, this level of dedication extends to the development of larger features.