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[Tom Henrik]

The DOS version is NOT abandoned k:

[The Coop]

Originally Posted by Tom Henrik

The DOS version is NOT abandoned k:

A few years between responses? Why not!

Anyway, I believe that a version of the DOS game is freeware. A while back, I was looking around and found a site that had a version of BC listed as freeware. So, I downloaded it, and was surprised to see what's most likely the original DOS version (simpler colors, and PC speaker sound), with a note supposedly from Interplay announcing that this particular version was being given out as freeware due to the success of the original game, and how well the sequel was doing. Here's the version I'm talking about...




... and here's the text from the read me included...

BATTLE CHESS
by
Interplay


With the advent of BATTLE CHESS II(tm) last year, we launched
what is perhaps the most intriguing style of chess play
since this, the original BATTLE CHESS swept the computer
gaming world in 1988.

As our way of saying thanks, we are setting BATTLE CHESS loose
upon the world as FREEware! Yes, that's right - FREEWARE.

Because BATTLE CHESS was such a success, it appears that its
successor, BATTLE CHESS II(tm) is following rapidly in its
footsteps. To celebrate that fact, you now have in your
possession one of the most sought after experiences in software;
a truly remarkable computer chess game that will challenge as well
as entertain and ASTOUND you!

This freeware version is unprotected, unlike the commercial
version. After installing the files in an appropriate directory,
just type CHESS at the DOS-prompt. When the introduction screen
appears, press any key and you will be presented with three
dialog boxes in sequence expecting some arcane chess knowledge.
Since it would be unfair for us to believe that a normal person
would actually have this trivia in their brain-boxes, we made
matters simple; just press return at each prompt.
It is highly recommended that you play using your mouse since
it is much easier (not to mention faster) to select your moves
by pointing and clicking. All game options can be selected from
the menu-bar across the top of the screen. Also, unless you
elect to play exclusively in the 2-dimensional mode it is further
suggested that the game be installed upon your hard drive. The
extensive use of animation in 3-d mode necessitates frequent disk
access. Accessing that from a floppy drive impedes enjoyment of
the game as well as being just plain slow and silly.

Feel free to distribute this software to any BBS you like. All
we ask in return is that you do not alter or remove this text
file (what you are now reading) in the process.


And now for something completely different.

A COMMERCIAL PLUG


After you are familiar with the extraordinary game you now have,
you may be interested in other INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS software.
Please read on.








INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS
PRESENTS


If Elvira can own a castle, why can't you? After all,
computer gaming is a world built of dreams and fantasies.
INTERPLAY's recently released CASTLES(tm) enables you to build
the castle of your dreams. In addition to playing surveyor,
architect, and builder, you get to parry paranoia and persecute
the peasants (great for relieving boredom).
CASTLES' action takes place 700 years ago, predating pesky
present-day concerns like planning boards and building inspectors.
Indeed, if your neighbors objected to your castle, they leveled
it, scattered the workers, ripped you to pieces, and ate your
horses. When they got really angry, they did even meaner things
like making you bathe between rainstorms. Several historians
claim these murderous rampages had nothing to do with power,
gluttony, and greed but were incited by INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS
release of BATTLE CHESS II(tm). We however, are of the opinion
that it really had something to do with our provocative and
competitive NFL PRO LEAGUE FOOTBALL game.
Castle building politics aside, if you are a serious gamer
looking for the best in computer games, INTERPLAY has what you
want. Just write or call us for information about our latest
offerings of superior game software at the address and telephone
number below.


INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS
3710 S. Susan
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 545-9001


INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS Copyright 1988,1989,1990,1991,1992.*
*All games, except NFL PRO LEAGUE FOOTBALL are registered trademarks
of INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS.

Also, I believe the Windows version is still being sold, as a few years back, CompUSA had a Battle Chess twin pack for sale that included the original BC, and Battle Chess II: Chinese Chess together. You might have to look into this.



Anyway, would you like me to post a link to the version of BC I pictured above?

[Geezer]

Originally Posted by The Coop

Anyway, would you like me to post a link to the version of BC I pictured above?

Yes. All I could locate was a demo version that was not playable. I had the enhanced CD version but have misplaced it. Would love to have the standard Battle Chess again. I have Battle Chess 4000 which is abandonware. I could review and upload that one if there are interested chess players.

[The Coop]

http://www.download-game.com/Battle_Chess.htm

There's the link I got it from. And should that site not be on the up and up (aka a mod zaps that link)...

http://www.geocities.com/arforfaborb/BTLCHESS.ZIP

... there it is from my site.

[CrowDriver]

A couple of things...

Battle Chess II was dueling 'chinese chess' an ancient traditional oriental variation, there are protecting pawns in front of only half the major backrow pieces. All caution to the wind, bombs away at the major pieces from the start, such as cannon takes knight on move 1!
Less than 1% Xiangqi games are draws in master tournament play. Runs fine in DosBox 0.72.

For easy to win chess, try BFTC (here at abandonia). It also has all the lessons (interactive) from the famous book, no memorization of openings, 'cause that's how Bobby learned to play. Can be set to hard levels, but lower ones are the easiest to beat computer chess anywhere.

CrowDriver!

[Borodin]

Just a bit of an historical sidenote: I was set to review this title for a US magazine, and was told that Brian Fargo (the Interplay CEO) wanted to speak with me about it. He got on the phone and began raving about how it had a much larger database of chess games to draw from which automatically made it the best chess game, not merely for the PC, but in the world. :amused: I interrupted, and said that a chess game was far more than just its database. The AI had to know how to interpret that database and use its information, and that this was the truly difficult part. At that, his pair of PR handlers online gasped audibly, and quickly terminated the conversation.

Was a truly fun game, but even then, it wasn't the best PC-based chess sim around.

[legend789]

Originally Posted by Homestar Runner

first off. to emulate win 3.1, you NEED a copy of it. then just download Microsoft Virtual Pc trial, or VMWARE, and you are set. just start up the machine, install windows, and tri BC.

i have not had a chance to install battle chess so i am not sure if this will work. i have installed windows 3.1 however and it works fine with my yamaha s/card and Nvdia Geforce Chip. k: :w00t:

Actually, I'm theorizing that you don't even need to emulate Windows 3.1.

It's possible, I believe, that you can "trick" the game into playing with sounds, via the battle.ini-file by adding a line that turns sound on.

Of course, to test this idea, I'd have to have an INI file that works, so if anyone has one, I could isolate the line and we could post it up in this forum.

Best thing would be to have the DOS version, I'ver always thought that DOS version > Windows version for most of the older games, until around after the mid Win95 era and when games could run Full Screen in Windows.

Originally Posted by guesst

I recently loaded up this game again, actually I wanted to find the DOS version but aparently the only one I have is for windows, and it doesn't have the digitized sound. What a rip! in XP it thinks it has to play in enhanced mode which apparently can't be turned off with any option I found, so it's a window aproximately 1/6 the size of my screen and silent.

Man, I need the dos version of this game.

A couple of things could be done here:
1. Edit the Shortcut, go to the Shortcut tab, in the third section down (the one with "Start in"), it says "Run:" set that from "Normal Window" to "Maximized".
2. Set the Compatibility > Display settings to Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution.
3. Change the computer's screen resolution to 640 x 480.
4. Make a batch-file that pauses. Set that batch file's Display settings to Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution, and run that file when you need to.

I use a combination of #1 (it covers about 0.64x of the screen), #2 (but it doesn't work, so I also had to use) #4. My computer's resolution doesn't allow me to go that low for #3.

Try different things.

Originally Posted by Guest

I dont know what´s wrong. when i click on the "horse" chess.exe, xp returns "xp cant find this program"???

what happenn?

It's a random problem where XP forgets where everything is. Waiting around works sometimes, and resetting works most of the time, but sometimes you'll have to wait even longer.

Originally Posted by The Coop

A few years between responses? Why not!

Anyway, I believe that a version of the DOS game is freeware. A while back, I was looking around and found a site that had a version of BC listed as freeware. So, I downloaded it, and was surprised to see what's most likely the original DOS version (simpler colors, and PC speaker sound), with a note supposedly from Interplay announcing that this particular version was being given out as freeware due to the success of the original game, and how well the sequel was doing. Here's the version I'm talking about...




... and here's the text from the read me included...





Also, I believe the Windows version is still being sold, as a few years back, CompUSA had a Battle Chess twin pack for sale that included the original BC, and Battle Chess II: Chinese Chess together. You might have to look into this.



Anyway, would you like me to post a link to the version of BC I pictured above?

It looks totally legit.

The CompUSA thing doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't abandonware. I've seen games that were abandonware or even intended to be freeware sold in bundles before. It's because the bundle isn't abandonware but the game (in this case Battle Chess for Windows) is.

Originally Posted by Borodin

Just a bit of an historical sidenote: I was set to review this title for a US magazine, and was told that Brian Fargo (the Interplay CEO) wanted to speak with me about it. He got on the phone and began raving about how it had a much larger database of chess games to draw from which automatically made it the best chess game, not merely for the PC, but in the world. :amused: I interrupted, and said that a chess game was far more than just its database. The AI had to know how to interpret that database and use its information, and that this was the truly difficult part. At that, his pair of PR handlers online gasped audibly, and quickly terminated the conversation.

Was a truly fun game, but even then, it wasn't the best PC-based chess sim around.

Ah, lucky. Working for a magazine is a good job, and it's really interesting too.

[gumpy]

Great fun! Though I need to brush up on my chess playing skills so I can beat the computer... I lose even at the lowest skill level.