Software:Chessmaster 9000

From HandWiki
Short description: 2002 video game
Chessmaster 9000
Developer(s)Ubi Soft[1]
Zonic (Mac)[2]
Publisher(s)Ubi Soft[1]
Feral Interactive (Mac)[3][4]
SeriesChessmaster
Platform(s)Windows, Mac OS X[5]
Release
Genre(s)Computer chess
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Chessmaster 9000 is a 2002 chess video game developed and published by Ubi Soft for the Windows. It is part of the Chessmaster series. The game was announced on July 12, 2002.[8] Grandmaster Larry Christiansen played four matches against the game in September 2002.[9] He won the first match, lost the next two, and match four was a draw.[10]

Gameplay

The game comes with a downloadable endgame database generator that uses a proprietary database format, called FEG (Final Endgame Generator). The series on the PC features for the first time true 3D boards that can be rotated and zoomed in and out. Over 60 chess sets and boards have been added to the game.[11] Josh Waitzkin returns with a new eight-part course, "The Psychology of Competition".[12] There's several new tutorials: "follow the game", "memorize the position", a "blunder alert" feature, and an endgame quiz authored by Grandmaster Larry Evans. It consists of 50 endgame positions where the player is asked to provide the next best move for a given side by a multiple-choice question.[12][13] Other new features added are blindfold chess, hidden opponents and random opponent.[11] Network multiplayer is either through the internet or LAN.[11] The internet play, Chessmaster Live, is using ubi.com instead of MPlayer.com.[13]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings80%[14]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGW3.5/5[1]
GameSpot7.6/10[12]
GameSpy4.5/5[15]
GameZone8.0/10[16]
IGN8.2/10[13]
Jeuxvideo.com16/20[6]
PC Gamer (US)78%[18]
Absolute Games (ru)85%[19]
Level80%[20]

Chessmaster 9000 received generally positive reviews from critics. GameSpot said that "no other product delivers the ease of use and instructional value of Chessmaster 9000."[12] IGN concluded: "In short, if you've got 8000 and can do without the in-game multiplayer modes, then you can just as easily do without 9000. If you don't own 8000 and have a love for chess, there's no reason not to own the latest version of the greatest series."[13] GameSpy said that "[...] Chessmaster 9000 is the perfect product for new players and veterans alike."[15] Computer Gaming World called the game "[a] powerful learning tool for sure, but the AI's lack of subtlety is geared more toward the already-accomplished player."[1] Macworld called it "the best chess game you can buy for the Mac".[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Smolka, Rob (December 2002). "Reviews - Chessmaster 9000". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (221): 130. https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_221/page/n133/mode/2up. 
  2. ↑ "ChessMaster 9000". Ziff Davis. 8 January 2004. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/08/chessmaster-9000-3. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cohen, Peter (April 2005). "Reviews - The Game Room". Macworld (International Data Group): 40. https://archive.org/details/MacWorld0504April2005/page/n41/mode/2up. 
  4. ↑ Zonic (2004). Chessmaster 9000. Macintosh. Feral Interactive. Level/area: Options: About. "Chessmaster 9000 v1.1.3, Copyright © 2004, Ubisoft, Published on the Mac by Feral Interactive., Universal Mac development by Feral Interactive." 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Back cover of the game box (Macintosh)". Chessmaster 9000 (Ubi Soft). https://www.mobygames.com/game/16417/chessmaster-9000/cover/group-243980/cover-622187/. "© 2004 Ubi Soft, Inc. - Mindestvoraussetzungen: Mac OS 10.2". 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Reno (13 December 2002). "Test de Chessmaster 9000" (in French). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00002733_test.htm. 
  7. ↑ Parker, Sam (6 August 2002). "Chessmaster 9000 coming soon". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/chessmaster-9000-coming-soon/1100-2876735/. 
  8. ↑ Walker, Trey (12 July 2002). "Chessmaster 9000 announced". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/chessmaster-9000-announced/1100-2874204/. 
  9. ↑ Jones, Zakk (24 September 2002). "Larry Christiansen versus...Chessmaster? - IGN". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/24/larry-christiansen-versuschessmaster. 
  10. ↑ Butts, Steve (1 October 2002). "Chessmaster Victorious". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/01/chessmaster-victorious. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 House, Michael L.. "Chessmaster 9000 overview". RhythmOne. http://allgame.com/game.php?id=41038. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Poole, Stephen (12 September 2002). "Chessmaster 9000 Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-9000-review/1900-2880073/. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Butts, Steve (17 September 2002). "Review - Chessmaster 9000". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/17/chessmaster-9000. 
  14. ↑ "Chessmaster 9000 for PC". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/561961-chessmaster-9000/index.html. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Rice, Kevin (25 October 2002). "Reviews - Chessmaster 9000". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/chessmaster-9000/588232p1.html. 
  16. ↑ Code Cowboy (27 September 2002). "Reviews - Chessmaster 9000". GameZone Online. http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20547.htm. 
  17. ↑ ackboo (December 2002). "Test - Chessmaster [sic"] (in French). Joystick (Hachette Filipacchi Presse) (143): 146. https://archive.org/details/joystick143/Joystick%20143/page/n145/mode/2up. 
  18. ↑ Peckham, Matthew. "Reviews - Chessmaster 9000". Future plc. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/chessmaster_900.html. 
  19. ↑ obstat, nihil (24 October 2002). "Review of Chessmaster 9000" (in Russian). Golden Telecom. http://www.ag.ru/reviews/chessmaster_9000. 
  20. ↑ Mircea (November 2002). "Review - Chessmaster 9000" (in Romanian). Level (62): 34–35. https://archive.org/details/Level_62_Nov-2002/page/n33/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. 
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