Microsoft Solitaire Collection is a beloved pastime for millions, offering classic card games with a modern twist. Many players enjoy the challenge and strategic depth of the game, but a common question arises: why aren't there rewards for playing on Random difficulty? Let's delve into the reasons behind this.
Why is Random Difficulty Different?
The core difference lies in the nature of Random difficulty itself. Unlike Easy, Medium, and Hard, which offer pre-set, predictable challenges, Random difficulty generates unique game layouts with varying levels of difficulty. This inherent unpredictability is part of its appeal; no two games are ever exactly alike. This random element makes it challenging to implement a fair and consistent reward system.
What Makes a Fair Reward System Difficult to Implement?
- Inconsistent Difficulty: A game deemed "easy" on Random might be solvable in a few minutes, while another might be impossibly difficult. A reward system tied to completion time or number of moves would be fundamentally unfair. A player could get lucky with an easily solvable game on Random, reaping the same reward as someone who struggled for hours with an exceptionally hard one.
- Lack of Predictability: Designing challenges with progressive difficulty levels is key to building a compelling reward system. This is possible with pre-defined difficulty levels, but impossible with Random, making it very hard to tie rewards to meaningful achievement.
- Potential for Exploitation: A well-designed reward system needs to prevent exploitation. With Random difficulty, the chance of an unusually easy game exists. This could lead to users repeatedly restarting until they get a particularly simple layout, thus easily accumulating rewards without demonstrating consistent skill.
What about Daily Challenges?
While Random difficulty might not offer direct rewards, Microsoft Solitaire Collection compensates with its Daily Challenges. These challenges, while also varied in difficulty, offer a daily reward for completion. This provides a consistent way to earn rewards while still experiencing the variability of different game setups.
Could a Different Reward System Work?
Theoretically, a system rewarding consistent play on Random difficulty could be implemented. This might involve tracking stats like average completion times, win rates, or games played over a specific period. However, this would require significant changes to the game’s backend and might detract from the casual nature of Random play.
Could Microsoft Add a Random Difficulty Reward System in the Future?
It's possible. As the game evolves and user feedback is gathered, Microsoft might explore alternative reward systems for Random difficulty. However, the inherent unpredictability of Random difficulty presents a significant obstacle that would need to be addressed creatively to create a fair and engaging system.
In Summary: The Absence of Rewards, Explained
The lack of rewards for Random difficulty in Microsoft Solitaire Collection isn't due to a lack of consideration. Instead, it stems from the fundamental nature of Random difficulty itself – its unpredictable challenges make it difficult to design a reward system that’s both fair and engaging without compromising the core experience. The focus on Daily Challenges offers an alternative way to reward players while retaining the exciting, unpredictable nature of Random games.
