Dear Chess Players,
First and foremost, please allow us to express our sincerest gratitude to every player who has offered feedback, criticism, or even "rants." It is precisely because of your unflinching honesty that we were able to clearly see the game's shortcomings and re‑evaluate the direction of our product.
Why Are 3D Board Games So Cool?
Space Battle: A flat board only has "length" and "width," but a 3D board adds "height"! With attacking, defending, and surrounding, the number of possible strategies multiplies, challenging your brain to think even faster!
Classic Games, New Experiences: Familiar games, brand‑new excitement! In 3D Chess, your "Chariot" might "fly" through the air to checkmate the opponent. In 3D Go, you might surround territory on a "mountain." Just thinking about it is thrilling!
Two Core Issues Raised by Players
We've received many comments like these:
"Great rules, but no one plays—only 1 player online."
"No keyboard mapping—only mouse rotation. How am I supposed to play a 3D game like this?"
"The view in multi‑layer Go is too fixed; the controls are exhausting."
We took every single one of these voices seriously and discussed them at length. We fully understand that the control experience of 3D board games directly determines whether players can immerse themselves in the rules. So we didn't stop at "listening"—we immediately implemented targeted improvements:
Addressing "mouse rotation only": We adjusted rotation sensitivity and damping, making mouse dragging more responsive and less disorienting. We also ensured that every player can get started quickly on their first try.
Addressing "fixed view in multi‑layer games": We improved layer‑switching animations and transparency feedback. We added a "quick layer jump" assist indicator. Internally, we are already testing more advanced view options (such as "box‑select focus"), but since these require more development time, we won't rush them out—the direction is clear.
We know these adjustments won't solve every control issue immediately, but they ensure that "playing in 3D" is no longer a reason to quit. Keyboard mapping and customizable view locking are already prioritized for the next two updates.
Instant Match, Always Ready
We know that the soul of strategy games lies in having someone to play with. In the past, many players told us about the frustration of "can't find a match." We heard you—and we've fixed it.
No matter when you log in—whether late at night or early morning—you'll find an opponent instantly and start playing right away. No waiting, no scheduling, no staring at an empty room. The matchmaking system has you covered—all you have to do is make your move.
Note: When real opponents are not immediately available, AI will seamlessly step in as a sparring partner to ensure you never face an empty board. AI difficulty spans multiple levels—gentle enough for newcomers, sharp enough for veterans.
This isn't just a matchmaking upgrade; it's our commitment to the belief that strategy games should always be playable, anytime. We want every strategic thinker to find their battlefield whenever the urge to play strikes.
Today's Major Update: A Dual Revolution in Board and Rules
Today, we officially introduce two core innovations, along with the Hyper Board Games collection of 12 variants, taking this game to the next level:
1. Bidirectional Combat Rule
Traditional chess only allows attacks against enemy pieces in front, resulting in rigid tactics. We have overturned this design, transforming the traditional one‑way combat model into a two‑way model. In this bidirectional combat chess variant, pieces may cross over to the adjacent board at both the front and rear dividing lines to continue placing their moves, with no restrictions on front or rear edges. The basic rules remain the same as those of traditional chess.
2. Transparent 3D Four‑Player Chess Board
We have designed a transparent three‑dimensional chess set for four‑player combat. The rules remain compatible with traditional chess while extending the game with three‑dimensional logic, and it supports both team‑play and free‑for‑all modes. Any player may, following standard chess movement rules, move their pieces onto the boards of the other three players—your enemy's territory is also your battlefield.
3. 12 Game Variants – There's Something for Everyone
Today we officially launch the following 12 innovative variants:
Rhombic Dodecahedron Go
Bidirectional Chess
Bidirectional Chinese Chess
Bidirectional Chinese Chess (Horse & Cannon Swap Edition)
3D Go
3D Gomoku
3D Reversi
4‑Player 3D Chess
4‑Player 3D Chinese Chess
Multi‑Layer Chinese Chess
Borderless Go
Borderless Go (Worm‑Eaten Edition)
Note: Bidirectional Chess and Bidirectional Chinese Chess are the concrete implementations of the "Bidirectional Combat Rule"; 4‑Player 3D Chess and 4‑Player 3D Chinese Chess are the concrete implementations of the "Transparent 3D Four‑Player Board."
On the Decision to Switch to a Paid Model
Many players ask: "Since you already have more players, why charge? Isn't free better?"
We want to be honest with you: This game has consumed a tremendous amount of our team's effort, from design to development. Maintaining the servers for multi‑layer 3D boards, cross‑platform adaptation, and expanding new rule sets all require ongoing financial support. To ensure long‑term sustainability and continuous new content, we have decided to transition the game from a free experience to a paid buy‑to‑play model.
But we make this solemn promise:
All existing players who registered and were active before the paid transition will receive a permanent free upgrade (no additional purchase required).
New players need only make a one‑time purchase to unlock all current and future rules, boards, and skins.
The price will be very modest—far less than a cup of coffee. We want to attract core players who truly love strategy and are willing to dive deep.
Finally, We Want to Say
We have always believed that great rules deserve to be taken seriously, and great games need to be crafted together. This transition to a paid model is not about "cashing out"—it's about finding a sustainable path for this niche but hardcore creation.
If you left because of control or view issues, we understand your choice—but we also want to tell you: the Hyper Board Games today is far more welcoming than before, and even better solutions are on the way.
If you've never tried it, we invite you to step into this "rule‑brilliant" mental battlefield with curiosity.
Thank you to every player who has stood by us on this journey. Going forward, we will continue to listen, continue to improve, and make this game worthy of your expectations.
— Hyper Board Games Dev Team