| Author | Message | ||
     Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
Playing chess (for those who like it) is fun. Playing chess on a computer is less fun, because a chess player usually likes to see the real chessboard. There are dedicated chess computers, but any good one is expensive and they are usually not that good. Computer programs are good, but it is less fun than real chess. 3d comes for the rescue. I think last January I was watching a chess game on x3dchess.com, and I don't even remember how and why I left my name and address there (I usually don't), but a few month later the mailman brings a small package, a CD in it. I open it and .....wow.....a program, X3D Chess. And a short letter, thanking for my interest and sending the CD as a gift. And otherwise 60 bucks program. So, I install it. It is not a good chess game compared to chess programs out there, but it is beautiful (pageflipped) 3d chessboard. I thought: this must improve. And it did. Just now, Kasparov is playing against X3D Fritz a four game match, "Man vs. Machine". Kasparov is NOT using a real chessboard, he is using an LCD stereoglass, and playing X3D Fritz, a "marriage" between the best chest program in the world and 3d stereoscopy. Two game is played, Fritz is leading 1.5:0.5, the next game is Sunday 1pm at x3dchess.com. If X3D Fritz sells separately, I will definitely buy it. After all, I will have a chance to be creamed by the computer program, which seems, will cream the best player in the world.....all that in 3d. Gabor | ||
| Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
Well....it seems that there is no particular interest about chess, even if it is in 3d. No matter, I have some other thoughts. How come the love of 3d seems to be combined with lousy business sense? The 3d concept is now floating around for over a decade, and no company could establish itself on a permanent basis, they all seem to come and go. I am still puzzled about the lack of overwhelming success of the 3d concept, but small signs indicate that 3d and lousy business sense somehow connected (of course I am just kidding, I don't really believe that). However.....take for example the X3D company. They put their "cards" in chess. Not exactly the most popular game, at least not in USA, but heck, they got Kasparov, the best of the best to "sign up", they got ESPN to broadcast it, and so it happens. ESPN has a larger audience than what an X3D size company could hope for, so it must be the "big break" for X3D. Now, is it reasonable to assume, that based on the four part broadcast, some people who watched it, got in the mood to "well....let's play chess"? I think so. Is it reasonable to assume that some people got in the mood to play against the same computer program Kasparov played against? I think so (I sure did). Even if it can beat them, but the strength of comptuer chess programs can be adjusted, so it is not even a hopeless proposition. So, it is reasonable to assume, that the four part ESPN broadcast generated some interest toward both chess and 3d. Is it reasonable to assume, that those who developed some interest, could get on X3D-s much advertised web site and buy into either the chess or the 3d? Yes, it is reasonable to assume, yet if you are assuming that, you are assuming it wrong. You can buy BOTH, and only both. Hundred bucks, no big deal really, for that you get a wired glass and all needed stuff and X3D Chess, THE program which tied with the world's best. Can you buy the chess program only? No. Why not? Because. No reason. At least no logical reason. The type of "no logical reason" which made so many small 3d related companies to bite the dust eventually. I wonder how many people who watched ESPN's broadcast, attempted to buy the chess program, just to be brushed off by X3D, which apparently is trying to FORCE everybody to get into the 3d. Which would be logical, after all they are not in the business to popularize chess, rather in the business to popularize 3d. Still, if somebody is willing to buy the chess program only, it could contain a lousy anaglyph and an explanation that "if you buy our LCD glass, you will see the same thing except much much better". Or those who buy it without LCD glass, later may remember where they bought it for and get into the mood to get a glass. Or whatever other reasonable measures. Instead, X3D took the path of "you must buy it NOW". I love chess. I love 3d. I didn't buy the forced duo. Because I have 3d glasses. More than one. More than enough to display their chess program. I wrote to the company:"please sell me the chess program only". Nope. Spend hundred bucks, throw the wired glass to the trash, if you want to play X3D chess. They didn't write that, but that's what it all amounted to. Exposure via ESPN, blown to hell. I am sure they sold quite a few LCD glass-program combination, but it would be fair to assume that they could have sold many more "chess only" which could have carried excellent promotion for the 3d concept. But it seems that 3d and lousy business sense kind of goes together. Just another mystery of life. Who knows......... Gabor | ||
| Alexander Oest Rating: N/A |
Could it be that it (the seemingly lousy business sense) is due to the "virginity" of the stereo market? As there is no well established standards, there's still a chance for someone to corner the stereo market with their own proprietary standard - or at least, so *they* see it. Alternatively - which might be the case for X3D, whose chess program probably works with other glasses: They don't trust that the users with whatever types of shutter glasses they have laying around will be able to get it working. But no matter what drives the business sense of these people: I agree that it's quite annoying to be forced to buy the whole package. ...aren't there good chess programs out there based on OpenGL or Direct3D that would do the same thing, btw? Besides that, I read your post back in November with great interest, thinking that that'd really boost the public awareness of stereoscopy. I even relayed the information to my wife, who politely expressed interest for a minute or so ;-) Alex | ||
| Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
Hi Alexander Oest, Sorry for the delayed response, frankly, I didn't think anyone will respond at all. Could it be that it (the seemingly lousy business sense) is due to the "virginity" of the stereo market? I don't know. The matter I described seems just common sense to me. How could they possibly lose, selling only the program for those who already have LCD glass? They don't trust that the users with whatever types of shutter glasses they have laying around will be able to get it working. Anyone buying the program only, BECAUSE they have LCD glass, will likely know how to make it work. Much more likely than not. I mean, it is just pressing the "hotkey", nothing else. ...aren't there good chess programs out there based on OpenGL or Direct3D that would do the same thing, btw? Apparently there isn't one, at least I haven't found one. But that is beside the point anyway. The point is the incredible lack of business sense of 3d related companies, issues, whatever. As if they would WANT to fail. If I was a new company, who wants to make a product popular which currently isn't, I would surely go out of my way first to please the customer, then try to rip them off later (:-), if I must. See X3D, I wrote them a couple of emails, literally begging for the program (only). The response tried to convince me that I should just buy the whole package. I wrote back that I have several glasses, I have no intention to buy one more. Nope. Gabor | ||
| Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
The saga continues. After several attempts to contact the company (X3D) by email, after several rejections, FINALLY one person wrote to me (from X3D) that they willing to sell a copy of X3D Fritz, without the glass, for 34.95 + shipping. I was "deliriously happy", I responded, asking how much is the shipping charge and how should I pay. For that, I have not gotten any response. Tried to ask again, still no response. It is now over half a year that I am trying to pay for something, and they don't let me. I just wrote the third "here is my money, please take it" style letter. Incredible. How can 3d succeed with that kind of business sense behind it? Gabor | ||
| oqvist Rating: N/A |
Hi! Well these board don´t seem to be populated by a lot of people. Yes chess is fun and playing chess in 3D would be awesome if there just would be agood computer AI that actually makes misstakes because I am not on the level of Kasparov ;). I always end up doing stupid misstakes when playing chess. But it would be cool if the program would be suitable for less able chess players too  I have some of the Chessmaster series and though really great kind of annoying that they have so god damn dull chess tables. Also another thing that would be cool in addition to traditional chess having some animated battle chess ala Harry Potter all in 3D and zoomable :D Maybe only let you see everything in first person and don´t have any eagle vision on where all the opponents pieces are . Anyway I am dreaming off but I don´t know why stereo3d never takes off? I mean I got the ED glasses and surely even if I own nVidia they don´t work with all game but just played some Simpsons hit and Run that worked absolutely flawless in 3D with virtually no ghosting or anything was a true awesome way of exploring a city all in 3D. If ATI would start to support it officially that maybe would help but then perhaps it will be 3DMonitors which will be the real breakthrough for stereo3d gaming. So far they are all to expensive though. | ||
| Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
Hi oqvist, I hope you may come around to read this. Yes chess is fun and playing chess in 3D would be awesome if there just would be agood computer AI that actually makes misstakes because I am not on the level of Kasparov ;). Most chess programs today can be set to virtually any level. You mention you have Chessmaster, in there you can set the amount of time, and many other things too, thus you can force the program to play like a 3 years old child. And there is a 3d chess program, X3d makes it, it is their "X3D Chess" program, which they do sell separately, and it is 3d, but the program itself sucks in many aspects. If you are not much of a chess player however, you may find it quite an enjoyable partner. Gabor | ||
| Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
The saga continues. By now I am stubborn. For almost a year I am trying to buy X3D Fritz, and the company refuses to sell it to me, because I am not willing to buy, yet another LCD glass (I have several and I have one of THEIRS already). Finally someone responded and declared that "okay, we sell you one. Give me your credit card number and we will sell it to you". I gave my credit card number. Then they vanished again in the think air. Since the time I gave my credit card number, I wrote several emails, no reply. You may never want to deal with X3D (the company). Gabor | ||
| Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
The (good) end of the sage. In my previous letter I wrote: "You may never want to deal with X3D (the company)." Well, I have to bite my tongue and eat crow. So this is how it all played out: After long "begging" I got an email:"send your credit card number", which I gladly did. And again, nothing, nothing and nothing. I was really angry, but I decided to stop pursuing the issue. Just a few days ago, the mailman brings a package, and I almost fainted. For the price of just the CD (34 something) they sent me TWO complete X3D systems, one wired and one wireless. And of course X3D Chess, all the other CD-s otherwise included in the systems and a letter stating that this is because of all the delay. Thus, they solved the problem with the highest degree of class. Now, I don't think I have to introduce the X3D system, most everybody who reads this, likely to know that too. Thus, I am only going to rave about X3D Chess, which is absolutely and definitely fantastic, truly top of the line. Anyone who is interested in chess and 3d, really should have it. Besides being the best chess program in the world (this is the one Kasparov was unable to beat on the Man vs. Machine, much publicized competition) the 3d portion is just breathtaking. My favorite is the classic wooden table with the Stauton pieces, in perfect 3d, on a real table, with a real, old style chess clock, I mean, this is virtual reality of chess, in the best form it comes. As if you would be there. You don't have to be Kasparov to get equal competition. There are multiple level settings, allowing even the absolute beginner not to be trashed. But of course if you near Kasparov, this is the program which can probably still beat you. From 3d with a single click you can switch back to the 2d format, where the best-ever design of combination of chess table, analysis area, opening book, everything you care to place on your screen. And if this is still not enough: features like other chess engines, which you can "invite" simultaneously to coach, but if you so choose, you can play against this other chess engines. Furthermore, you can download a bunch of other chess engines and play against those (if the best in the world is not good enough (:-)). Some more? Sure. If you aim to the highest level of fun (and if you have 400 bucks for it) you can attach a DGT board to the computer (if you don't know what it is, never mind). And there are database, teaching functions, chess analysis, verbal explanation of what you are doing (wrong), etc. Still more? Sure. If you so choose, it talks to you too. No, not the usual E2-E4 announcements, but de facto chat, jabber, which if you want to keep the atmosphere light, if you want to pretend you are playing against a human, it sure does the job. I have had many dedicated chess computers, and computer chess programs, but this one is head and shoulder above all of them. If I knew it is this good, I probably would have just paid for the whole thing almost a year ago without any argument. One negative comment: in 3d the picture requires the best and fastest machines. My 2Ghz 512K RAM computer kind of "clickety" in 3d mode, but of course still playable. In case of any questions, feel free to email me. (from my previous mails, it should be obvious that I have no connection to the company) Gabor | ||
| Gabor Laufer Rating: N/A |
Correction: The (good) end of the saga. |
