Battle Chess
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Brian Fargo |
| Products | Battle Chess |
Battle Chess is a chess video game that incorporates 2.5D visuals and features animated combat sequences whenever pieces capture opponents. Originally developed and launched by Interplay Entertainment for the Amiga in 1988, it was subsequently adapted for a wide array of platforms such as 3DO, Acorn Archimedes, Amiga CD32, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, NES, MacOS, PC-98, X68000, and Windows. In 1991, Battle Chess Enhanced was introduced for IBM PC compatibles and Macintosh systems, offering upgraded VGA graphics alongside a symphonic soundtrack delivered via CD-ROM.
The title garnered both critical praise and commercial success, leading to two official sequels and inspiring comparable games. A modern remake titled Battle Chess: Game of Kings became available on Steam on December 11, 2015.
Gameplay
While Battle Chess adheres to traditional chess rules, it distinguishes itself by incorporating animated battle sequences during captures. Each capture triggers one of 35 distinct animations tailored to the six types of pieces per color. For instance, the rook morphs into a rock monster to crush pawns or consume the queen. Several animations pay homage to popular culture, such as a knight duel reminiscent of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and a king-versus-bishop confrontation echoing scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Players have the option to disable animations by selecting a 2D mode; the Amiga CDTV edition includes a narrated introduction that explains piece movements for newcomers. The MS-DOS version delivers digitized battle sound effects through the PC speaker without requiring additional audio hardware.
Battle Chess offers multiple modes of play including hotseat for human players, as well as null modem and LAN connectivity in certain versions; AI opponents are also available. Its opening move database contains more than 30,000 entries, except on the Commodore 64 and Apple II editions.
Development
Following the conclusion of their collaboration with Electronic Arts, Interplay Entertainment developed and published Battle Chess among their first independent projects alongside Neuromancer.
Brian Fargo, Interplay’s founder and producer on the title, later expressed affection for the game but questioned its resonance with contemporary audiences.
An interesting development story involves "The Duck," a removable sprite placed near the queen at producers’ request as a subtle signature within the game. Although all other modifications passed review without issue, this particular sprite was rejected and removed—a moment that became known internally as "Atwood's duck."
Reception
By February 1993, sales of Battle Chess had reached 250,000 copies.
Ken St. Andre from Computer Gaming World highly recommended the game for chess enthusiasts and Amiga users alike. The Amiga edition was lauded for its sophisticated graphics, lively animations, and humorous combat sound effects. Conversely, German publication ASM criticized its relatively weak chess AI. Mike Weigand of Electronic Gaming Monthly highlighted the 3DO version’s appeal specifically to fans of chess.
The 1994 update titled Battle Chess Enhanced received commendation from Computer Gaming World for its refined artwork, smoother animation sequences, and an improved chess engine that enhanced overall playability.
For its achievements in visual presentation, Interplay earned the "Best Graphics Achievement In A Non-Graphics Product" award from the Software Publishers Association. In 1994, Computer Gaming World inducted Battle Chess into their Hall of Fame as an exemplary multimedia product. Later in 1996, the magazine ranked it as the 106th-best game ever made due to its entertaining animations and special effects.
Legacy
International Master Anna Rudolf acknowledges that Battle Chess played a pivotal role in sparking her interest in chess during her childhood.
The title was featured in the 1992 motion picture Knight Moves, which revolves around a chess grandmaster who becomes a suspect in a series of murders.
Sequels
Battle Chess II: Chinese Chess (1990) introduced the game of xiangqi ("Chinese chess"). The subsequent release in 1992, Battle Chess 4000, presented a science fiction parody complemented by clay-animation graphics reminiscent of ClayFighter.
On December 28, 2015, Brian Fargo revealed details about a cancelled sequel titled Battle Chess 3 from the late 1990s and shared prototype footage of the project.
Inspired games
The influence of Battle Chess is evident in numerous video game clones such as Star Wars Chess, Terminator 2: Judgment Day – Chess Wars, Combat Chess, and National Lampoon's Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1. Another clone, War Chess, was launched by XS Games for the PlayStation 2 in 2005 and later adapted for PC distribution online by Big Fish Games.
A related title, Battle vs. Chess, developed by TopWare Interactive for various platforms, encountered legal disputes with Interplay. In 2010, Interplay secured an injunction for trademark violation that prevented the game's release in the United States. Following two years of legal proceedings and TopWare's dismissal of their attorney, Interplay ultimately won the case by default judgment. Consequently, TopWare issued the game in North America under the name Check vs. Mate.
Remake
In 2012, Subdued Software initiated a Kickstarter campaign aiming to finance a modernized edition of Battle Chess. Despite the campaign not reaching its goal, Interplay eventually published the updated version as Battle Chess: Game of Kings, releasing it on Steam in 2015. The game currently holds a score of 4.9/10 on whatoplay.com.