The time has come! Quantum Realm Games has partnered with Arcanforge to bring Quantum Chess to the next level. Here's what is going on.
Going Quantum
In 2019, we were approached by Google AI Quantum to see if we could run Quantum Chess on their quantum computing hardware. In July of this year, we successfully demonstrated the fruits of that labor at the Google AI Quantum Summer Symposium! Check out the video of our presentation.
This success gave us the momentum we needed to push Quantum Chess to reach its potential. We were able to secure generous funding from IQIM, and an amazing development partner, to bring you the next iteration of the game.
New Moves
The old quantum move has seen its last days. We've replaced it with the new split and merge moves!
Splitting the Universe
With the new split move, players have the power to create superposition, where their pieces exist in multiple squares at the same time.
You perform a split move in two steps:
- Select the source square with the piece you want to move.
- Click and hold on the first target, drag to the second target square, and release.
Merging the Universe
With the merge move, players have the power to combine a split piece back together.
You perform a merge move in two steps:
- Click and hold on the first source square, drag to the second source square, and release.
- Select the single target square.
Entanglement and Phase Display
The game has always been built on top of a simulation of a quantum state. But before, we didn't have a great way to show that information. Now we do! If you right-click on a piece in superposition, it will show the relative entanglement and phase display.
Entanglement
The outer ring shows whether other pieces are entangled with the one you selected.
If the rings are the same color, the pieces are entangled to exist on the same board(s).
Phase
The "radar" wedges show the phase rotation of other pieces, relative to the one you selected.
The relative phase can change how pieces interfere with each other, leading to unexpected outcomes.
Sandbox Mode
With sandbox mode, you can drag pieces onto the board and experiment!
You can reach sandbox mode from the side drawer in the main menu.
Multiplayer
Gone are the days of unstable multiplayer connections. We've adopted a completely new networking architecture. It is now easier to get a game going with a friend, or a member of our Discord community, and even to spectate other players.
Tournament
A great way to see multiplayer in action is by watching the first ever Quantum Chess tournament, which was live on Anna Rudolf's twitch stream! We saw some new strategies, and live demonstrations of running on actual quantum computing hardware, and even a cameo from Alex Winter! Check out the vods.
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
The Future
So, what's next? A lot. Pushing into the next stage of development, we have a number of features and collaborations on the roadmap.
Game Features
- We're revisiting AI, this time with more brain power and some donated compute resources.
- We're expanding and improving the multiplayer experience with features like chat and match making.
- We're developing a new game mode that involves Quantum Chess puzzles.
- We're working toward a mobile release.
Collaborations
- We're continuing work with Google AI Quantum, to expand the ability to run on quantum computing hardware.
- We're going to be doing more quantum computing workshops with Qubit by Qubit, aimed at high school students.
- We've been contacted by a number of other educational interests, and will be exploring applications of Quantum Chess with them.
- We're looking at other ways to collaborate with Anna Rudolf, and the chess community at large.
Honestly, that is just a taste of what we're looking at going forward. We're very excited to bring this next iteration of Quantum Chess to the world. If you want to keep active with the community, make sure and join our Discord server. There you can leave feedback and bug reports, and find other players to jump in a game with. See you in the quantum realm!