Software:Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition

From HandWiki
Short description: 2007 video game
Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition
Developer(s)
  • Ubisoft Bucharest (Win)[1]
  • Ubisoft Sofia (DS, PSP)[2][3]
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
SeriesChessmaster
Platform(s)Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable
Release
  • October 23, 2007 (DS)[2][4]
  • October 30, 2007 (Win)[1][5]
  • February 15, 2008 (PSP)[3]
Genre(s)Computer chess
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition (portable version as Chessmaster: The Art of Learning,[6][7] alternatively Chessmaster 11)[8][9] is a chess video game developed and published by Ubisoft for the Windows, Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. It is part of the Chessmaster series. The game was announced in August 2007[6] and released in October 2007.

Gameplay

The game is narrated and contains detailed tutorials suitable for beginners and advanced users by Josh Waitzkin, using principles from his book The Art of Learning.[6][10] The game uses an updated version of the King chess engine.[11] The game database includes 600,000 matches and 190 personalities of computer opponents.[1] The PSP version supports Wi−Fi multiplayer.[12] It also offers 3D animated chess sets, including children's Raving Rabbids set.[13]

The game includes six minigames: "fork my fruit" where the goal is to fork two fruits using any of the given pieces, "masterpiece" where the objective is to paint a picture by making as few moves as possible, "breaking the lines" where the aim is to capture pawns using only knights and "chain reaction" where the target is to link three or more pieces by placing them within opponent's attack range, "pawn charge" where the goal is to reach the eighth rank without being captured, and "minefield" where the objective is to defeat an invisible enemy.[14] Multiplayer modes include "progressive chess", where opponents gain moves each turn, "dark chess" in which opponent's pieces are invisible unless under attack, "losing chess" where the objective is to lose pieces, and "extinction chess" which replaces checkmate with the win condition of capturing all of opponent's pieces.[15][12]

The portable version Chessmaster: The Art of Learning contains fewer tutorials and lacks, for example, a strategy chapter, classic grandmaster games, or an offensive chapter by Larry Christansen. The DS version supports multi-card wireless play but doesn't support Wi-Fi.[16][17] The PC network multiplayer is either via the internet or LAN.[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GamesRadar+5/10 (PC)[18][7]
6/10 (PSP)[15]
GameZone7.8/10 (DS)[14]
IGN7.8 (DS)[17]
6.6/10 (PSP)[19]
Jeuxvideo.com16/20 (PC)[20]
PALGN7.0/10 (DS)[16]
PC Gamer (US)85% (PC)[21]
Pocket Gamer3.5/5 (PSP)[12]
Game78% (DS)[22]
576 Konzol (hu)8/10 (DS)[23]
6/10 (PSP)[24]
Strana Igr7.0/10 (PC)[25]

Windows

Jeuxvideo.com concluded that "Chessmaster undoubtedly remains the reference title for the general public. [...] A completely dispensable purchase, however, if one already has the tenth edition.[20] PC Gamer and Jeuxvideo.com said that the online lounges were deserted.[21][20] Strana Igr said the game is not too different from the previous one.[25] GamesRadar+ summarized: "Even though most gameplay and options tend to be predictably consistent, The Art of Learning is a great tool for skill building and is put together in a simple easy to use package with something to offer everyone."[18]

Nintendo DS and PSP

IGN reviewed the DS version and said: "The only thing missing is Wi-Fi multiplayer. [...] for anyone who remotely enjoys chess, this is the definitive handheld release."[17] Later they reviewed the PSP version and concluded: "There are a lot of modes and games to get into [...]. However, the presentation is completely phoned-in and will make you wonder why the hell this budget-looking title is priced at $30.[19] GameZone said "the presentation sucks" in the DS version but still called it a great game for chess fans.[14] Pocket Gamer criticized the tuition tools in the PSP version as inadequate for intermediate players. They summarized the game as a "perfect place to start" for new players.[12] Game said the DS version is "a title suitable for everyone, young and old".[22]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Marriott, Scott Alan. "Overview - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning -- Grandmaster Edition". RhythmOne. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=52473. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Marriott, Scott Alan. "Overview - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning [DS"]. RhythmOne. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=52391. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Marriott, Scott Alan. "Overview - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning [PSP"]. RhythmOne. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=52390. 
  4. ↑ "Shippin' Out October 22–26: Ratchet & Clank, Jericho, Conan, Phoenix Wright". Fandom. 22 October 2007. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/shippin-out-october-22-26-ratchet-and-clank-jericho-conan-phoenix-wright/1100-6181472/. 
  5. ↑ "Chessmaster XI Available Now!". Ubisoft. 30 October 2007. http://chessmaster.us.ubi.com/xi/newsitem.php?id=6842. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Chessmaster XI Coming in October". http://chessmaster.us.ubi.com/xi/newsitem.php?id=6611. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wittenborn, Rich (28 February 2008). "Review - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning [original review score"]. Future plc. http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning/review/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning/a-20080228103154179021/g-200802281039938083. 
  8. ↑ "Chessmaster 11 : avis, revue et tarifs 2025". https://www.creachess.com/avis/chessmaster-11.php. 
  9. ↑ "Chessmaster 11: Die Grossmeister-Edition [PC Games"] (in en). World of Games. https://www.wog.ch/en/index.cfm/details/product/15139-Chessmaster-11-Die-Grossmeister-Edition. 
  10. ↑ "Sah de la Ubisoft" (in Romanian). Level (120): 10. September 2007. https://archive.org/details/Level2007/Level%20120%20%28Sep-2007%29/page/n5/mode/2up. "[...] cu ajutorul cursurilor şi al tutorialelor ce se găsesc în cartea sa The Art of Learning (Free Press).". 
  11. ↑ "Chessmaster XI: The Art of Learning". Ubisoft. http://chessmaster.us.ubi.com/xi/index.php. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Walbank, Mark (8 May 2008). "Game Reviews - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning". Steel Media. https://www.pocketgamer.com/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning-psp-review/. 
  13. ↑ "Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition" (in en). Ala.org. https://www.ala.org/winner/chessmaster-grandmaster-edition. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Chessmaster: The Art of Learning Review". GameZone Online. 23 October 2007. http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r33439.htm. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Wittenborn, Rich (27 February 2008). "Review - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning [PSP"]. Future plc. http://www.gamesradar.com/psp/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning/review/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning/a-20080227163716820099/g-20080227154050700060. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Van Leuveren, Luke (24 November 2007). "Chessmaster: The Art of Learning Review". http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=9572. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Adams, Chris (4 December 2007). "Chessmaster: The Art of Learning Review [DS"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/12/05/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning-review-2. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wittenborn, Rich (28 February 2008). "Chessmaster: The Art of Learning review [PC"]. Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning-review/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Miller, Greg (28 February 2008). "Chessmaster: The Art of Learning Review [PSP"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/28/chessmaster-the-art-of-learning-review. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Dharn (17 January 2008). "Test - Chessmaster : Edition Grand Maitre" (in French). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00008546-chessmaster-edition-grand-maitre-test.htm. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Smith, Rob (April 2008). "Reviews - Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition". PC Gamer (Future plc) (173): 64. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Console Portatili - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning" (in Italian). Game (Edizioni Player) (24): 14. December 2007. https://archive.org/details/GAME-024/page/n13/mode/2up. 
  23. ↑ Kenny (January 2008). "Teszt - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning [DS"] (in Hungarian). 576 Konzol (Comgame): 76. https://archive.org/details/576-konzol-1998-2008/576%20Konzol%202008-01/page/n85/mode/2up. 
  24. ↑ Miki, V. (March 2008). "Teszt - Chessmaster: The Art of Learning [PSP"] (in Hungarian). 576 Konzol (Comgame): 69. https://archive.org/details/576-konzol-1998-2008/576%20Konzol%202008-03/page/68/mode/2up. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Hakhverdyan, Ashot (February 2008). "Review - Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition" (in Russian). Strana Igr (Gameland) (253): 112–113. https://archive.org/details/Game_Land_2008-04-253/page/112/mode/2up. 
  • Official website (archived)
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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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