Software:Chess Simulator

From HandWiki
Short description: 1990 video game
Chess Simulator
Developer(s)Oxford Softworks[1]
Publisher(s)Infogrames[1]
Platform(s)Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS
Release1990[2]
Genre(s)Computer chess
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Chess Simulator is a 1990 chess video game developed by Oxfordshire-based Oxford Softworks and published by Infogrames for the Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS.[3] Oxford Softworks' previous chess program, Chess Champion 2175, was released only a few months before Chess Simulator.[4] Chess Simulator is part of Infogrames' Simulator series, which includes Dames Simulator, Bridge Simulator, Billiards Simulator, and an unreleased Pinballs Simulator.[5][6]

Gameplay

The board can be viewed in 2D or 3D perspective. The game includes a mode where the player's Elo rating is determined after solving 24 chess puzzles.[7] Other modes include a supervisor mode, where a two-player match is supervised by the computer.[8] The DOS version features EGA graphics.[9]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Datormagazin7/10 (Amiga)[12]
Pelit85/100 (Amiga)[13]

Datormagazin [sv; sv] said the game is almost identical to Chess Champion 2175. The only added feature in Chess Simulator was a voice synthesized opponent but the voice was noted as "irritating". Chess Champion 2175 was said to have a better manual and the ability to move pieces more smoothly during play.[12] Aktueller Software Markt said it's "a strong representative of its kind, which is difficult to fool".[10] Joystick said that if you like chess and don't already have a chess program, Chess Simulator is a game that you should absolutely own.[1] Tilt said the game is identical to Chess Player 2150 except it's in French and the chess pieces have been redesigned beautifully. In summary, it was said to be the best chess program alongside Chess Champion 2175. ST Action said "This Chess game doesn’t offer anything that we haven’t seen before and even the special features aren’t especially different in comparison with others."[11] ST Format pitted the game against Colossus Chess X and it was determined to be equal to it. In conclusion, the program was said to be easy-to-use, solid, fast, and powerful but lacks originality.[7] Pelit said the game is almost identical to Chess Champion 2175, noting that Chess Champion is more user friendly. Chessmaster 2100 was recommended over either game.[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 BôTGV (November 1990). "Tests - Chess Simulator" (in French). Joystick (Sipress) (10): 242. https://archive.org/details/joystick010/page/n241/mode/2up. 
  2. ↑ "Game diskette (DOS)". Chess Simulator (Infogrames). https://www.mobygames.com/game/74402/chess-simulator/cover/group-126634/cover-340864/. "(C) Infogrames 1990". 
  3. ↑ "Contact Us". http://www.oxfordsoftworks.com/contact.php. 
  4. ↑ Smith, Tim (August 1990). "Screenplay - Chess Champion 2175". Amiga Format (Future plc) (13): 66. https://archive.org/details/AmigaFormatMagazine_201902/Amiga_Format_Issue_013_1990_08_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n65/mode/2up. 
  5. ↑ "Chess Simulator". Back of the Game Box (Infogrames). 1990. https://www.mobygames.com/game/74402/chess-simulator/cover/group-126634/cover-340863/. "In the same collection: Billiards Simulator, Dames Simulator, Bridge Simulator". 
  6. ↑ "Dames Simulator". Back of the Game Box (Infogrames). 1990. https://www.mobygames.com/game/47716/dames-simulator/cover/group-72098/cover-194592/. "Collection Classic: Billiards Simulator, Pinballs Simulator (prochainement), Bridge Simulator". 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Leach, James (January 1991). "Leisure - Chess Simulator". ST Format (Future plc) (18): 108. http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-18_1425.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Simmons, Alex; Simmons, Jason (January 1991). "Review - Chess Simulator". Amiga Action (Interactive Publishing Ltd) (16): 56. https://amr.abime.net/review_23766. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Harbonn, Jacques (December 1990). "Rolling Softs - Chess Simulator" (in French). Tilt (Editions Mondiales S.A.) (84): 116–117. https://archive.org/details/Tilt084/page/n115/mode/2up. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Siegk, Matthias (December 1990). "Das Matt kam nach 58 Zügen: Chess Sim. bedingter Gegner für PSION" (in German). Aktueller Software Markt (Tronic-Verlag) (12): 88. https://archive.org/details/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1990.12/page/n89/mode/2up. "Grafik: 9, Anleitung: 10, Spielstärke: 10, Motivation: 9, Preis/Leistung: 10". 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Reviews - Chess Simulator". ST Action (Gollner Publishing) (32): 84. December 1990. https://archive.org/details/st-action-32-1990-12/page/n85/mode/2up. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Wester, Pia (December 1990). "Nöje - Titta, schackspelet snackar!" (in Swedish). Datormagazin (Bröderna Lindströms Förlags AB) 5 (19): 73. https://archive.org/details/Datormagazin1990/Datormagazin_1990_nr19/page/n71/mode/2up. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Tapaninmäki, Jukka (Spring 1991). "Strategiapelit - Chess Simulator" (in Finnish). Pelit (Erikoislehdet Oy, Tecnopress) (1/91): 95. https://archive.org/details/pelitvuosikirja1991kevat/page/n93/mode/2up. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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