Chess: A Game with a Lasting and Ever-growing Legacy
The impact of chess on games as a concept is undeniable, with its strategic and competitive elements seen across the industry in so many forms today. The board game is still going strong, but it has also given rise to a closely linked genre known as auto chess.
Auto Chess: A Genre Born from Chess
Auto chess gained popularity in 2019 through a mod of the PC game Dota 2. The success of this mod led to the development of a mobile game in the same style called Dota Underlords in 2020. Since then, chess-style games, whether in their classic form or as automated hybrids, have become increasingly prevalent on the mobile platform.
The Resurgence of Chess on Mobile Platforms
According to GameRefinery, chess in its traditional form has experienced a “massive revival” on mobile. There are countless iterations of chess available on app stores, with the mobile version of Chess.com being the most popular. This browser game reached 10 million active players this year, but its mobile counterpart has truly exploded in popularity with over 120 million players striving for the grandmaster title.
In fact, Chess.com was the most popular free iOS game in February 2023, reigning supreme in 28 countries. Currently, it ranks fifth in the category, with the highest number of downloads coming from the United States at 37%, followed by the United Kingdom at 8% and Russia at 6%. Unsurprisingly, the United States also contributes the most revenue, accounting for 51%.
The Chess Renaissance: Exploring the Reasons Behind its Surge in Popularity
Chess in Popular Culture
One reason for chess’ renewed recognition is its appearances in various forms of media, including Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit series. The release of the series resulted in a 603% increase in chess book sales and led 3.2 million new players to Chess.com. This surge in interest even spawned a spinoff mobile game.
Chess Meets Other Games
Chess.com has expanded beyond its original browser game, offering a total of seven mobile games on iOS and Android. Additionally, many other popular games have incorporated chess elements into their gameplay. For example, mobile giant Supercell partnered with Chess.com to introduce chess-themed minigames in Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. Special chess-themed skins, a chess season in the battle pass, and a unique mode named Chess Royale were added to Clash Royale.
Furthermore, games like Riot’s Teamfight Tactics, Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Blizzard’s Hearthstone have also embraced the auto chess genre. Teamfight Tactics currently reigns supreme among auto chess games, combining classic chess elements with modern gaming features like item recipes and customized tools. The ability to build and upgrade unique characters adds depth and strategy to the auto chess experience.
Exploring the World of Auto Chess
The auto chess genre revolves around automatic rounds played on a grid reminiscent of a chessboard. Players strategically place characters on the board, and the rounds continue until only one army remains. Victory brings rewards that can be used to upgrade existing characters or recruit new ones, increasing the chance of future wins. With a blend of strategy and random elements, mastering auto chess requires fine-tuning and adaptability.
Auto Chess in Popular Mobile Games
Games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang have incorporated auto chess as a permanent side mode, resulting in a significant revenue boost during the launch of its first auto chess season. Nintendo’s Fire Emblem Heroes also introduced an auto chess mode called Pawns of Loki, which returns periodically as a limited-time game mode. This mode allows players to recruit and strengthen their main-game characters with every win on the chessboard.
Fire Emblem Heroes’ monetization model makes the auto chess mode enticing, with the option to invest resources and money outside of the mode to enhance characters recruited within it. This strategy has contributed to Fire Emblem Heroes joining the exclusive $1 billion revenue club.
In conclusion, chess has not only stood the test of time but has also found new life in the form of auto chess games. Its resurgence can be attributed to its appearances in popular culture, collaborations with other games, and the unique gameplay experience offered by the auto chess genre. As chess continues to captivate players and adapt to modern gaming trends, its enduring legacy remains intact.