Battle vs. Chess video game

Some game designer is taking the Fritz game engine and making an aesthetically pleasing chess video game with it, which utilizes awesome graphics and animations as the pieces clash!

But on the other hand, the thing might just be a disgrace to the seriousness of chess. Apparently it will feature a game mode where when a player or the computer opponent attempts a capture, the game will zoom into a third person battle mode where either player has a chance of winning and the captured piece may in fact not be captured at all!

Is this just too ridiculous and shameful for such a classic game, or is it a new spin on the outdated rules?

Is this bringing some much-needed attention to the chess community, or is it attracting the wrong kind of attention?

Let's hear some thoughts.

Sounds like tons of fun unless you're older than 6.

haha well check it out yourself. I can't help but to be a little interested/excited. As a fan of both video games and chess (serious, competitive chess), the two truly coming together is a cool idea.

I think that chess will always be respected for what it is - an abstract strategy game with limitless possibilities. Chess is open domain, so If a game designer thinks he can make a profit selling a chess video game, then I say he can do that. It won't make people like chess any less.

The game is great. Problem is, there is just one player in the UK that I found willing to play it online on XBOX Live. The game is not yet available in the US, due to some copyright infringement or something.