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Subject: Re: EIDOS, Fritz, and Piracy

Author: Francesco Di Tolla

Date: 04:25:57 12/15/99

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>Do you really think that Fritz6 has what it takes to be popular in the mass
>market.
>You have to remember that it may draw us computer chess fanatics in, but
>from the kids and people I have shown in chess programs, they all love
>Chessmaster, and find Rebel 10 and Shredder2, somewhat boring.
>
>Fritz is a pure chess playing program for the chess player, like Rebel and
>shredder. Chessmaster makes chess interesting and fun

I don't think that all the people buy what they like, some buy what's on the
sehlves. And up now one had no chanche to buy Fritz or Rebel in a regular PC
store.
If you go to a shop looking for a x-mas gift for your kid, probably you will not
know what's really inside. May be you know your kid likes chess and you pick up
either ChessMaster or Fritz. Its matter on what's on the box more than what's
inside.

This might make a "seed" of users and people could learn from friends that this
nice program exists, and buidl up a line o new customers.

For sure rebel would have a hard time to do that path (at least the windows
interface they are producing is fine for me but probably not so appealing for
many people). But the look of the new Fritz 6 is not that bad. I actually like
its aspect much more than that of ChessMaster 5500 that I have.

I don't know if you refer to other features. May be they could add some
capability to tweak the personality so to add some fun for kids. But the general
look (pieces design, board colors and aptterns used...) are quite in the mass
market direction.

So the version 6 could be not a big deal for 5-32 holders, but from the point of
view of addressing a larger makget, it is a big step forward. Finally I do even
expect to find it on sail next year for something around 25$ in some shops.

ciao
Franz






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