Chessmaster 5000
{{Short description|1996 video game}}
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Chessmaster 5000
| image = Chessmaster 5000 cover.jpg
| caption = Cover art featuring Will Hare{{cite web |last1=Plunkett |first1=Luke |title=The Life, and Death, of PC Gaming's Most Famous Cover Star |url=https://kotaku.com/the-life-and-death-of-pc-gamings-most-famous-cover-st-5939503 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |access-date=20 April 2023 |date=31 August 2012}}
| developer = Mindscape
| producer =
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| engine =
| series = Chessmaster
| platforms = Windows
| released = 1996 (5000){{cite journal |title=Back cover of the game's box |journal=Chessmaster 5000 |date=1996 |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/14/chessmaster-5000/cover/group-891/cover-100/ |publisher=Mindscape |quote=© 1986-1996 Mindscape, Inc.}}
1997 (5500){{cite journal |title=Game CD-ROM |journal=Chessmaster 5500 |date=1997 |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/60647/chessmaster-5500/cover/group-152623/cover-429827/ |publisher=Mindscape |quote=©1995-1997 Mindscape, Inc.}}
| genre = Computer chess
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Chessmaster 5000 is a 1996 chess video game developed and published by Mindscape for Windows. It is part of the Chessmaster series. An upgraded version, Chessmaster 5500, was released in 1997. An online game, Chessmaster Live, was included with 5500. The chess engine was designed by Tasc ChessSystem.{{cite web |title=Chessmaster 5000 |url=http://www.chessmaster.com/ |website=Chessmaster.com |publisher=Mindscape |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970605174924/http://www.chessmaster.com/ |archive-date=5 June 1997 |url-status=dead}}
Gameplay
Chessmaster 5000 uses a 32-bit chess engine and can be optimized for stronger play if used with a Pentium chip. The computer opponent can adopt over 70 different styles of famous grandmasters. The player can also design their own style for the computer. The multiplayer supports hotseat, network, and online play. Included with the game are 20 tutorials and a 27,000-game chess database. Chessmaster 5500 added voice instruction to the game. Included with the purchase of 5500 was a copy and free subscription to Chessmaster Live, an online game that was also available separately on the chessmaster.com website.{{cite web |title=Play Chess |url=http://www.chessmaster.com/play/play.htm |website=Chessmaster.com |publisher=Mindscape |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971210201813/http://www.chessmaster.com/play/play.htm |archive-date=10 December 1997 |url-status=dead}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| CGSP = 2.5/5 (5000){{cite web |last1=Lackey |first1=Jeff |title=Chessmaster 5000 Review |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/058/chessmaster_5000_review.html |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=theGlobe.com |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704232750/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/058/chessmaster_5000_review.html |archive-date=4 July 2003 |url-status=dead}}
4/5 (5500, Live){{cite web |last1=Lackey |first1=Jeff |title=Chessmaster 5500 Review |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/008/047/chessmaster_review.html |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=theGlobe.com |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030817052004/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/008/047/chessmaster_review.html |archive-date=17 August 2003 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Klimushyn |first1=Chuck |title=Chessmaster Live Review |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=theGlobe.com |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030817045810/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html |archive-date=17 August 2003 |url-status=dead}}
| CGW = 5/5{{cite magazine |last1=Coleman |first1=Terry |title=Classics & Puzzles - Pawn to Infinity |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=September 1996 |issue=146 |pages=159–160 |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_146.pdf |publisher=Ziff Davis}}
| GSpot = 9.3/10 (5000, 5500){{cite web |last1=Bosher |first1=Monroe |title=Chessmaster 5000 Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5000-review/1900-2538401/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205000000/http://www.gamespot.com/puzzle/ches5000/review.html |archive-date=5 February 1997 |date=23 August 1996 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Poole |first1=Stephen |title=Chessmaster 5500 Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990429221520/http://gamespot.com/puzzle/ches5500/review.html |archive-date=29 April 1999 |date=24 December 1997 |url-status=live}}
| JS = 84%{{cite magazine |last1=Seb |title=Test - Chessmaster 5000 |journal=Joystick |date=October 1996 |issue=75 |page=105 |url=https://archive.org/details/joystick075/page/n103/mode/2up |publisher=Hachette Disney Presse |language=French}}
| rev1 = {{ill|Gen4|lt=Génération 4|fr}}
| rev1Score = 4/6 (5000){{cite magazine |title=Test Express - Chessmaster 5000 |journal=Génération 4 |date=March 1997 |issue=97 |page=148 |url=https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-097/page/n147/mode/2up |publisher=SARL Pressimage |language=French}}
5/6 (5500){{cite magazine |title=Test Express - Chessmaster 5500 |journal=Génération 4 |date=November 1997 |issue=104 |page=256 |url=https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-104/page/n255/mode/2up |publisher=SARL Pressimage |language=French |quote=Il s'agit plus d'une amelioration du Chessmaster 5000 que d'un jeu veritablement nouveau.}}
| rev2 = PC Joker
| rev2Score = 76%{{cite magazine |last1=Duy |first1=Manfred |title=Strategie - 4 Neue Schachprogramme |journal=PC Joker |date=March 1997 |issue=3/97 |pages=72–74 |url=https://archive.org/details/pcjoker-februar-1997-images/page/n69/mode/2up |publisher=Joker-Verlag |language=German}}
| rev3 = {{ill|Power Play (Zeitschrift)|lt=Power Play|de}}
}}
Chessmaster 5000 received generally positive reviews. In a 1995 comparison between 11 chess programs, Computer Gaming World rated a pre-release version of Chessmaster 5000 the highest.{{cite magazine |last1=Coleman |first1=Terry Lee |title=Survey - The Game of Kings |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=November 1995 |issue=136 |pages=278–290 |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_136.pdf |publisher=Ziff Davis}} In a 1996 review, Computer Gaming World liked the quality of the computer opponents and the tutorials but disliked the MIDI music and the rating system. It was called "simply the best program ever designed for the mainstream chess player". GameSpot called Chessmaster 5000 "the finest chess software I have ever used." Reviewing Chessmaster 5500, GameSpot said: "The worst thing you can say about Chessmaster 5500 is that you might not want to spend the bucks on it if you already own Chessmaster 5000 - but that's more of a comment on how outstanding the Chessmaster series is rather than a slam against the latest installment." In a comparison between four chess programs, PC Joker rated Chessmaster 5000 third behind Power Chess and Mephisto Genius 3.5. Computer Games Strategy Plus criticized the lack of PGN support and described the database as "broken". The game was summarized: "If you just want a good chess playing program with lots of eye candy, Chessmaster 5000 will suit you fine. If you need a serious training partner, skip it and buy Rebel 8 or Fritz." Computer Games Strategy Plus gave a more positive review for Chessmaster 5500, which was said to fix bugs from the previous version although a few issues still remained. Computer Games Strategy Plus also reviewed Chessmaster Live, an online game included with 5500. It was said that "The program is simple to use and contains all the features needed to enjoy an on-line chess session."
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official|https://web.archive.org/web/19970103070527/http://www.chessmasternetwork.com/chessmaster/chessmaster1.html}} (archived)
- {{moby game|id=/14/chessmaster-5000|name=Chessmaster 5000}}
- {{moby game|id=/60647/chessmaster-5500|name=Chessmaster 5500}}
{{Chessmaster}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Multiplayer hotseat games
Category:Multiplayer online games