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Subject: Re: how much did deep blue cost??

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 17:32:31 10/26/00

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On October 26, 2000 at 17:11:59, michael mayfield wrote:

>I was just wondering what the total price tag came to to build deep blue.  Also,
>why was deep blue disassembled??
>
>thanks..

This would _really_ be difficult to answer for anyone but the IBM group
responsible for the budget.  Costs would include 10 years for the development
team, which probably averaged 5 people.  That could be $5M or more.  Then
there was the hardware chess processors which were probably not terribly
expensive if you don't factor in the cost of the development (which I gave
a rough number for separately).  Then there was the SP machine, which was
worth several million dollars, but it was also used for other things and
the one used in NY was sold.  Finally there was the group of consultants
(mainly GM players) that were paid to help (IE Joel Benjamin).  Plus the cost
of travel for the many exhibition matches they played using DB Jr.

If you count "cost" as "profit - expenses" it was a no-cost deal, I am sure,
as the advertising/brand-name-recognition they earned by beating Kasparov way
more than offset the physical costs they incurred.  DB made a lot of money in
this way...



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