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IBM turns 100, brags about bench pressing more than companies half its age
IBM is quite possibly the only tech company around that might have genuine difficulty whittling a list of its industry defining contributions down to a mere 100. And it's an impressively diverse collection at that, including the floppy disk, the social security system, the Apollo space missions, and the UPC barcode. All of this self-congratulation is not without cause, of course. IBM was born 100 years ago today in Endicott, New York, as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, a merger between three companies, all peddling different technologies. That diversity has helped define IBM from its inception, and has offered a sense of flexibility, making it possible to keep in step with technology's ever-quickening pace for a century. In 1944, the company helped usher in modern computing with the room-sized Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, and 37 years later, it played an important role in defining the era of home computing with the much more manageable IBM Personal Computer. In 1997, IBM introduced a machine that beat the world's reigning chess champion, and earlier this year, it created one that trounced two of the greatest players in Jeopardy history. These days, when the company is not building machines dedicated to outsmarting mankind, it's looking to promote sustainable development through its Smarter Planet program. So, happy centennial, Big Blue, and here's to 100 more, assuming your super-smart machines don't enslave us all in the meantime.
t Chess Pro updated with dual core support on the iPad 2 and more
I liked t Chess Pro when I reviewed it many month ago. It had good clean graphics, and was a real challenge to play. One of the most frequent requests was for Game Center integration, and that has been added in the most recent release. Also interesting is the addition of support for the iPad 2 dual-core processors. It's the first use of dual-core support I've seen in an iOS chess program, and it's most welcome. t Chess author Tom Kerrigan told me the engine runs 50-80% faster, and he adds that if there's a good move to be found for the current position, the app will find it much faster. I hadn't played t Chess for a little while, but this new version did seem snappier on the iPad 2. The Game Center Support is most welcome. t Chess is a universal binary, so it runs on any iOS device, but of course dual-core support is only on the iPad 2. If you want to get a feel for t Chess, there is a 'lite' version you can try, but without the dual-core feature. t Chess is US $7.99. Given the excellent feature set, and the built-in documentation, I find it well worth it. Buyers should note that t Chess does not auto-detect a dual-core iPad 2. The feature must be enabled in the app settings menu. My only gripe is that the icon for the app still shows a graphic of a crystalline chess set that is not an option to select for gameplay. The options the app provides are just fine, but I'd sure like to see the nice one illustrated above on the iPad screen.
Free for All: So what do I play now?
Last week I talked about celebrating your MMO transient status, something that drove some readers into a mini-frenzy. Perhaps my point was not clear enough, or perhaps the two or three sentences I dedicated to clearly stating my satisfaction with the "dedicated" player lifestyle were not enough. I did not talk so much about the players who dedicate most of their time to one or two MMOs because, well, it wasn't an article about them. It wasn't an article about celebrating some kind of digital floozy lifestyle, either, although some readers seemed to take it that way. It was an article about becoming comfortable -- or more comfortable -- with the fact that you, as a ramblin' player, might not gain that virtual glory that your more dedicated buddies will. This week's column will still avoid the topic of the dedicated player simply because I am not one. As I have now indicated several times, I have no issue with such a lifestyle, but I would rather talk about something I am more familiar with. Many of my friends are hardcore dedicated, dedicated to the point of being married to one MMO experience, and although I am somewhat jealous of them, I am even more jealous of a different type of player. Click past the cut and we shall discuss it!
APB Reloaded blog details the matchmaking makeover
This week's APB Reloaded blog entry is a pretty lengthy one, and Bjorn Book-Larsson has a lot to say about the game's matchmaking system as well as a warning for the hackers who have showed up in the free-to-play title's closed beta. Matchmaking is a huge issue for GamersFirst's APB redesign, and Book-Larsson relates that "it was a bit of a shocker to discover that in spite of relying almost exclusively on computer-generated matchmaking... no real thought was made to create a decent skill rating system to feed those matchmaking decisions." Book-Larsson also provides some insight into how GamersFirst is tackling the problem, illustrating several approaches to matchmaking including algorithms founded on Chess ratings, Glicko, and Microsoft's TrueSkill system. Read all about these topics and more on the official APB Reloaded blog.
Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik faces off against a robotic arm in a game of blitz chess
Robots and artificial intelligence are no stranger to chess, but it's not every day you get to witness an actual, fiery game of blitz chess between a World Champion and a robotic arm. Vladimir Kramnik, who was World Chess Champion from 2006 to 2007, seems to take the game pretty casually, but the robo-arm's quick, decisive moves feel just a little threatening to us. We get it, you're a robot, you don't have to go shouting it from the rooftops!
Computer wins at Japanese Chess against human for the first time
The humans vs. computers battle just got a little more complicated, if you're keeping score. The Mainichi Daily News is reporting that for the first time ever, a computer has beaten a human Shogi champion, Ichiyo Shimizu, in Tokyo. The game lasted six hours, and the computer reportedly pursued Shimizu "aggressively" from the start. The governing association of pro Shogi players will now review the game to determine whether it will allow the computer to move onto challenge another player.
Battle vs. Chess sets up September 28 release gambit
Southpeak has announced that its chess title, Battle vs Chess (which is totally not Battle Chess) is headed to PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on September 28. Much like Interplay's classic game of nearly the same name, Battle vs Chess lets players compete in the ancient strategy game using animated pieces. Battle vs Chess also includes several different gameplay modes, including a campaign mode and puzzle mode which house "over 50 puzzles and scenarios." Another mode allows players to manually place pieces, which can only be seen by the opponent after the game begins. The PC version will retail for $20, while the Xbox and PlayStation 3 versions will be available for $40. Meanwhile, the Wii, DS and PSP versions are slated to be released in the first quarter of 2011 with prices still under wraps for now.
DIY Internet Chess Table makes online matches suddenly awesome (video)
Computerized chess has been around for at least a few centuries now (okay, so maybe "score" is more accurate), but if you thought an IBM supercomputer dominating one of the planet's brightest humans was gnarly, have a gander at this. One determined modder has whipped up what may very well be the most impressive way to engage in online chess ever, as the DIY Internet Chess Table turns an on-screen opponent into an on-table opponent. Put simply (or as simply as possible), the multitouch table uses a projector to beam a chessboard onto an opaque surface, and moves are captured via webcam and sent back to an internet server. The human's moves are recognized and countered, and then that same human is told where to move the computer's piece via on-screen arrows. Trust us -- it's worth your while to hop on past the break and mash play for a video demonstration. Update: To clarify, the table syncs up to play matches over freechess.org, but as far as your Feng Shui is concerned, it's still a single player in your room.
Monster Chess supersizes Lego robots for ultimate geek synergy
This is like an Andre 3000 song. What's cooler than robots? Lego robots. And what's even cooler than that? Supersized Lego robots playing chess. Composed of more than 100,000 Lego Mindstorms parts, the above chess set occupies a 156-square foot playing area and took a four-person team "about a year" to create. Total retail cost is tallied up at $30,000, though you won't be surprised to hear there are no plans to make it available for purchase -- presumably because of its priceless awesomeness. See a game played out on video after the break.
Battle vs. Chess coming this Fall to just about every platform
SouthPeak's infringement-skirting Battle vs. Chess has apparently been pushed back from its initial May launch window, according to a press release. And the fact that May's almost over and the game's not out yet. However, the game is now set to launch this Fall, and will be released for 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP and PC. So, like, everything except the iPhone and the Lynx. According to the presser, the game will include an "Action Mode," where pieces won't automatically kill one another in scripted animations, but will rather place players in a "beat-'em-up style encounter." Somewhere, Garry Kasparov is openly weeping.
Come get some in EQII's newest raid zone
If EverQuest II players jumped genres, they might exclaim, "That's no content patch! It's a space station!" As it is, the upcoming Halas Reborn patch is awe-inspiring, as SOE continues to highlight new goodies packaged within its coded depths. Players have a lot to look forward to: the Storyteller system, the travel revamp, additional player housing, and a brand-new 1-20 leveling experience in New Halas should expand the already-beefy title nicely. On top of all of that, the juicy cherry resting comfortably on a bed of whipped cream, are two challenging new raid zones for high-level characters. We've already looked at one of them, The Underfoot Depths, and SOE has just released details on the second. Icy Keep: Retribution is a mammoth four-group raid instance with several new challenges, including a deadly game of chess. Players will be helping the Frostfoot clan to gain entry to the keep, but that may be the beginning of the true danger -- Vrewwx, an ice dragon, has hatched and is waiting. Read the full scoop on EverQuest II's newest raid zone as we count down the days for Halas Reborn!
NintendoWare Weekly: Photo Dojo, Earthworm Jim, Phoenix Wright
If you've had the slightest interest in Photo Dojo, Nintendo's weird DSiWare fighting game that uses the camera to make its fighters, you should download it today. If you don't have any interest in that, you should download it today. If you've never heard of Photo Dojo, go ahead and load up the DSi Shop anyway. If you have a DSi, there's basically no reason you shouldn't download Photo Dojo today. It's free for the next month, is what we're saying. %Gallery-86444%
Nook gets web browser, free in-store reading, and games in new firmware
It's not in our nature to get all excited about firmware updates, but B&N sure seems to be bringing the good stuff in release 1.3 of the Nook's software. The major new features include a Beta release of a "basic" web browser and a Read In Store feature that's reassuringly true to its name. You'll basically be allowed to browse and read the full versions of books while inside a Barnes and Noble outlet. That looks like a win-win to us, as it directly addresses the goal of using the Nook to get people in stores while affording consumers the opportunity to get a good idea about a book. The first Android apps on the device are also offered, in the form of games like chess and sudoku, both perfectly suited to the glacially refreshing monochome screen. Speaking of which, B&N claims it's also improved page turning and loading speeds. The update is available via manual download now or you can wait for the OTA stuff to hit your Nook within the next week. [Thanks, Davorin]
'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!
April Fools: Bungie introduces Halo: Reach's 'Battle Chess'
Bungie set the bar pretty high last year on April 1 and, today, we feel like it has at least met or exceeded it -- we'll leave the final determination up to you. As Bungie would describe Halo: Reach's included minigame, Battle Chess, it's a variation on the "longest-running competitive multiplayer game in the world" and just felt like a natural fit for the franchise. Frankly, even though it's April 1st, we wholeheartedly support this new game mode and if we don't at least get a special playlist, we're probably going to throw a tantrum and buy Halo: Reach anyway.
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%
Shifting Perspectives: Revenge of the Karapalooza
Every week, Shifting Perspectives explores issues affecting druids and those who group with them. This week, we invade the menagerie, shut down the demon factory, defang the beaten dog, carefully avoid Netherspite, play some chess, and face not only Malchezaar but the legions he commands. Greetings, druids. This week we'll finish our look at stomping Kara from Curator through Prince. If you're looking for our first installment (covering Attumen through Nightbane), you'll find that here. Curator For most people, the Curator was the source of the first tier piece they ever got in Burning Crusade as he drops the tier 4 glove token. Note that the Defender tokens in tier 4 and 5 went to warriors, druids, and priests, which forced BC's more popular tanking and healing classes (in addition to the new legion of shadow priests that every raid wanted) to gear at each others' expense. It wasn't until tier 6 that Blizzard went for more sensible class combinations, splitting most tanking/healing classes to different tokens.
Ubisoft bringing '20 All-Time Favorites' table game compilation to PS3
An ESRB rating has enlightened us about the existence of a Ubisoft title called 20 All-Time Favorites; a "collection of 20 card and board games that include Chinese Checkers, Backgammon, Chess, Go, Solitaire, and Mancala." According to the rating, players will also be able to "wager virtual money on their card hands" while playing Blackjack and Poker. Despite the appearance of gambling, the game retained an E rating -- provided that players do not splash ze pot. (Link NSFW, and totally awesome.)
One Shots: Strategy is key
When it comes to player housing, we love to see creative and unusual things people have done with their spaces. Take for example, this idea cobbled together in Star Wars Galaxies, and sent in to us by Tiktik Deen of the Starhawk Conglomerate on the Starsider server. Tiktik sent in this fun image along with the following note to explain: This is a perfect example of why people loved Star Wars Galaxies. A guild member took the time and resources to create this chess board from in-game holographic models and crafted furniture pieces, then had the dedication and desire to fit everything together perfectly in one of their homes. ([This is an] old pic, the room is more decorated by now.)Have you done something creative and fun in your MMO home space? We'd love a quick picture tour, if you'd like to share it. Just send the image in to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description of what we're seeing. (Server, guild, etc. welcome too!) We'll post them out here for all to enjoy and give you the credit. %Gallery-9798%
