Checkers
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Rally's and Checkers are using AI chatbots for Spanish-language food orders
Checkers and Rally's restaurants have launched the first Spanish ordering system that uses AI.
Microsoft is shutting down its internet board and card games
Microsoft has already given users of older Windows versions some not-so-subtle hints that it's time to move on. Now, it's giving them more of a push by removing things dear to their hearts: their board and card games. The software giant is shutting down several Internet Games for people using Windows 7 and earlier, including Backgammon, Checkers, Hearts, Reversi, Spades and MSN Go. Just when you'll lose access will depend on your version of Windows.
'Game Table' turns your iPad into exactly that
When you saw the iPad, did you imagine it as a virtual board game repository, able to summon checkers and such at a moment's notice? Well, if you didn't, you might now because that sounds really neat. And you can buy just such a thing! Game Table is a collection of board and card games including checkers, chess, poker, solitaire, and even a virtual deck of cards for other games. Developer Label Interactive plans to add more games to the app, like backgammon and go, through updates. We don't mind saying that this game is noteworthy almost entirely because of the iPad interface -- but we imagine that's exactly the kind of thing people with iPads are looking for right now. And no, we're not going to write a post every time someone makes a board game app -- but it's novel right now. Game Table ($.99): %Gallery-90026%
Rumor: Microsoft's Live support coming to free Windows games; Minesweeper, Solitaire and more
Microsoft is allegedly preparing to implement Live functionality into the free suite of games that comes with all Windows-enabled PCs: Solitaire, Chess, Checkers, Spades, Hearts, Backgammon, Minesweeper, Purple Place, Spider Solitaire and Freecell. This tip comes courtesy of our trusted source (who accurately predicted Lucidity, NBA 2K10 Draft Combine and Tecmo Bowl: Throwback). Reportedly, each Windows game will not only get Achievements, but also chat and leaderboard support. While unconfirmed by our source, we'd anticipate this to be a free update. If true -- and hey, our tipster's batting a thousand (that's sports talk for reliable) -- adding Live functionality to these games would be an ideal gateway for Microsoft to usher new users into Live and the Achievements system. After registering a free Games For Windows Live account, a new user would be able to instantly start building Gamerscore cred with the free games included on Windows PCs. It's Drug Dealing 101 -- give 'em the first fix for free, and they'll be hooked!
First Look: Game Table for the iPad
Here's some screenshots for another upcoming iPad app called Game Table. The app brings Checkers, Chess, and various card games onto Apple's tablet with detailed graphics and an "intuitive" interface -- the developers claim it's like carrying full board games around with you, but without all the little pieces and doodads. Unfortunately, that also means that you don't actually "play" any games on the device -- it's just a series of boards and interactive pieces for them, so it's up to you as the player to determine how you want to actually move them around. That could be either a benefit (if you have a weird variation of poker or chess that you like to play that wouldn't normally be found in a mobile game, there you go) or a hindrance, if you'd rather your board game action be a little bit more guided. But the price is right -- the Game Table is set to release for just 99 cents. Game Table will be available on the App store at launch. %Gallery-89336%
Big Bang Board Games come to iPhone/iPod touch
If you're looking for a collection of classic timewaster games for your iPhone or iPod touch, look no further than Freeverse's Big Bang Board Games, which includes Chess, Backgammon, Checkers, Mancala, Reversi, 4-In-A-Row, and Tic-Tac-Toe. The artwork and gameplay is taken directly from the Mac version of the game, and Chess has a portrait (3D) and landscape (2D) mode. Unfortunately, each game only has a one-player mode. It would be nice to have a two-player option, for those situations where you're waiting with your significant other for a table, or in line for a movie. Other than that, they're great games for my (sigh) favorite activity: sitting quietly through endless telephone meetings. Note to self: my clients don't read TUAW, do they? Just kidding, everyone! Big Bang Board Games is available in the App Store for $7.99.
Breakfast Topic: Games within the game
We all know (or at least I hope we all know) that World of Warcraft is a game -- an MMO set in an immense universe with countless quests to do and whole continents to explore. However, sometimes the big game isn't as interesting as the minigames you can find. Steam tonk wars? (Or other pet games.) Guild bank checkers? (If you haven't tried that one, it's a blast!) What do you think of Azeroth's minigames -- do you play them? Do you enjoy them? Do you make up your own to entertain yourself between raids? Tell us about them!
Alternate uses for Guild Banks
Since the Patch 2.3 introduction of Guild Banks, it's been easier to distribute items for raids, pay for repair costs and track all the transactions involved. But did you know it could also be used to play an ancient game of tactical skill?Player Affix of the Tichondrius server has figured out a way for her and a guildmate to use an empty tab in their Guild Bank to play checkers. As you can see from the image above, one player is Arcane Dust and the other is Netherweave, but any two distinct items could work.Admittedly, one row is missing and there are too many rows across, but a game could still reasonably be played. It's no musical chairs in Karazhan or pet wars or even downtime games, but it is pretty ingenious.EDIT: This is what I get for posting while out of town, double-post!
Checkers program unbeatable by humans, other computers
The computer program Chinook has been vanquishing human opponents in checkers for over ten years. Now, scientists at the University of Alberta (Chinook's home) say they have improved the program so that it can never lose. EVAR! No opponent, whether human, bacterium, or computer, can win when facing Chinook. In other words, checkers can be retired to the Pit of Practically Useless Games along with tic-tac-toe. The strategy behind checkers (which has over 500 billion possible board combinations) has been solved.If you're a masochist, you can play against Chinook online. Only 24 games can be active at once, so you'll have to wait your turn to lose like a little baby.
Canadian AI plays "perfect" game of checkers
A team of researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada claim to have "solved" the game of checkers, using a computer program named Chinook which has been playing matches against itself for the past 18 years. The program played 500 billion billion possible positions in the 5,000-year-old game, also known as draughts, before concluding that perfect play by both sides leads to a draw (a concept which grandmaster players have apparently hypothesized for years). One of the researchers said in a statement that he believes they have "Raised the bar... in terms of what can be achieved in computer technology and artificial intelligence." Next up, Chinook is to be renamed W.O.P.R., and then will begin playing a series of tic-tac-toe games against itself.
Partial songlist for Ouendan sequel revealed [update 1]
A partial songlist for Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 can be found in this week's Japanese gaming magazines, and we can't help but get giddy over some of the choices. The Platformers reveals the following songs: Mihimaru GT - "Kibun Joujou" Homemade Kazoku - "Shounen Heart" smap - "Bang! Bang!!" Ayaka - "I Believe" Kimura Kaela - "Real Life Real Heart" Flow - "Okuru Kotoba" Sukima-Switch - "Zenryoku Shonen" Checkers - "Oh, My Julia" Yaida Hitomi - "Go My Way" Hirai Ken - "POP STAR" The Platformers website provides samples for each song, for those interested in getting a small taste of what's to come. The game's release is not too far away: May 17th, so importers will want to get their pre-orders in ASAP, before the other cheerleading-obsessed gamers do.[Thanks, Imran!][Update 1: Minor stylistic corrections.]
