Author: Peter Berger
Date: 12:51:39 10/22/01
Go up one level in this thread
On October 22, 2001 at 15:14:33, John Merlino wrote: >In deciding what sort of additions and modifications to make to the next version >of Chessmaster, I thought it might be a good idea to ask the users on this board >(who are a decent representation of the "computer chess enthusiast" community) a >few questions. These questions are in no particular order.... > >Please feel free to either answer them here, or via an e-mail to >jmerlino@ubisoft.com. > >1) Which ratings ranges of personalities do you use or play against? For myself I usually use ranges of 1600-2200 , for engine matches whatever I feel might be most competitive. > >2) Do you play Rated Games in the Tournament Room? Sometimes, usually at rather fast time controls. > >3) Do you create tournaments in the Tournament Room? If so, do you include human >users (like yourself) in these tournaments? No, I have never used that feature. > >4) Do you think there should be more "human" personalities, less "human" >personalities, or do you think the number of these personalities is just right? The number is just right. Maybe there should be more changes ( some of them are getting old) - I am one of the idiots who always reads the biography of the personalities when I play against a new one . Also I prefer to play against personalities with a nice photo :-) > >5) Do you wish that you were able to create larger tournaments (i.e. more than 8 >players in a round-robin tournament, or more than 32 players in a Swiss >tournament)? If so, how many would you like to include in these types of >tournaments? Well, as I never created a tournament I guess the answer is obvious .. > >6) Have you ever gone to the Library? Maybe once or twice ;) > >7) Have you ever used the Opening Book Editor? If so, have you ever wished that >you could create books with more than 64K moves in them? No I haven't. > >8) Do you play chess online? If so, have you ever used Chessmaster (any version) >to play chess online? I do play chess online. I have never used Chessmaster for that so far . Oh, I used "The King" engine on ICC under WinBoard for some fungames - does that count ? :-) > >9) Do you own Chessbase (any version)? I have downloaded Chessbase Light, don't own any other version. > >10) Have you ever gone to the Classroom? If so, what portions of the curriculum >have you COMPLETED? (to the best of your recollection -- please don't bother to >take the time to look unless you really want to.... ;-) I think I have completed them all ( even the ones about piece movements ;-)) . Also I have looked at all of Josh's game and tried all the tests - guess I am not normal ( btw I think you could fix some bugs there sometimes ). > >11) Have you ever imported an XBoard compatible engine into Chessmaster? If so, >what did you think of the import process and the overall XBoard support? It's superb ! That's the answer to both questions. > >12) Do you wish that there were more or less chess sets and boards to choose >from? Well. I think you should think a little about your default layouts. I think nearly everyone uses the custom board as it's the only "normal" and prettiest one. As long as you keep the "custom board" I don't really care. Also I have trained a lot with the "dog's board" from time to time against low rated personalities . It's a good test for blind chess IMHO. > >13) Have you ever changed the "wallpaper" for any room? No, I haven't. > >14) What setting do you use for piece movement sounds (Spoken Move >Announcements, Thematic Sounds, Simple Sounds or No Sound)? Spoken move announements, very nice and gentle voice - much better than Fritz. > >15) Does it bother you that Chessmaster 8000 requires the CD at all times? If >so, how much (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is you are VERY bothered)? Maybe 3. It's better than with some others. I keep my CM CD handy and usually it's in the drive anyway as I know I need it all the time. When Junior et al ask for their CD it has been months since the last time and I usually don't have the slightest idea where it might be. Although more comfortable most of the time I am usually very pissed when it starts asking again and have to start painful researches. The OPK-number changing after every reboot is more annoying - but I guess that's a thing I'll have to live with. > >16) Have you ever created a personality? I have never designed one. I have created several XBoard personalities though and I have created some others discussed here to give them a try. > >17) Do you think there are too many personality variables, not enough variables, >or just the right amount of variables? Just right probably . But I would prefer if there were better documentation for them. > >18) If you think there should be more personality variables, what would you >suggest? -- >19) If you owned Chessmaster 6000/5500/5000, what do you think of the interface >change for Chessmaster 7000/8000 (the "room metaphor")? Hmm. Overall it's a very good feature IMHO . > >20) What resolution do you use on your monitor? 1024x768 > >21) What windows do you REGULARLY have open in the Game Room? The Board , game status and the thinking lines. > >22) Do you think there are too many "Windows" available in the Game Room? I think it could be easier to get a nerd-approved setting but once you have it it is OK. I have basically used just the same setting since CM6000. > >23) What chess set/board combination do you prefer to use? Custom board , black&white figurine > >24) Do you wish that there were larger chess sets/boards included in the game? >How about smaller chess sets/boards? No, I don't. > >25) If you have an official chess rating, what is it? If you do NOT have an >official chess rating but play a lot of chess, what do you estimate your rating >to be? No official one anymore afaik . Maybe 1900-2100 USCF, kind of better at fast time controls but the range should be about right. > >The more answers I get, the more useful this will be. I'd like to get at least >50 responses, so tell your friends.... > >Many thanks for your time! > >jm You're welcome. I hope the next Chessmaster will be even better :) Regards, pete
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