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Subject: Re: Software Toolworks to Ubi Soft (OT)

Author: William Penn

Date: 17:54:13 03/20/01

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If it were me, I would take a designer's scalpel and remove 75% of the CM8000
code immediately, then remove maybe another 5-10% after further examinations.
The result would be more like CM5000 or CM6000, than CM8000. It could be
debugged much more easily. So that's my suggestion for the future.

Where to start? In my opinion none of the 3D chessboard graphics works. Chess is
a 2D game, and so the chessboard should be 2D. One good 2D chessboard with a few
customizing options is enough.

I would also excise most of the "rooms". One room for the chessboard and all
associated operations. One room for the database and all associated special
operations. And although it doesn't interest me, maybe a room for the opening
books and associated special operations.

I would also do away with the notion of "Mentor engines" or multiple engines
running simultaneously, as well as compatibility with winboard. Those things
don't interest me and only cause problems. Also getting the ax would be the
movie, and anything that requires DirectX. Do away with the latter and you'll
make a lot of users happy!

The result would be a lean, mean fighting machine, with very little glitter or
extras. Would it sell? The best always sells.

As is stands, I can use CM8000 but only by making some non-standard
manipulations. For example when I want to use a personality, I substitute it for
Chessmaster.CMP using Windows Explorer. It's the most problem-free method I've
found.

Best Regards,
and Good Luck in the buy & sell gameworld!?
WP



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