FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(Checkers game  – IOS app – updated July, 2023)

1 – Computer cheating and AI

1.1 – Why do the rules seem different for the computer in the Checkers app?

The rules for both the player and the computer are, in fact, identical. However, one aspect of the Checkers game that often leads to confusion is the differentiation between standard moves and jumps.

In traditional checkers, standard moves are always made forward, towards your opponent’s side of the board. However, if an opportunity to ‘jump’ over an opponent’s piece arises, the rule allows you to perform this action both forwards and backwards.

This discrepancy can sometimes give the illusion that the computer is playing by a different set of rules, especially when it performs multiple jumps in a sequence involving both forward and backward directions. As a human player, you too are allowed to make such jumps whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Getting used to these nuances might take a little time, but rest assured, the app is strictly following the universal rules of Checkers. We designed our Checkers app to be as authentic and fair as possible for all users.

1.2 – Why does the computer force me to make moves that seem to benefit it?

The computer’s move suggestions strictly adhere to the official rules sanctioned by International Checkers Authorities. Our app is designed to ensure that these rules are implemented in the most rigorous manner.

One particular rule that often surprises less-experienced players is the ‘majority capture’ rule. According to this rule, if presented with multiple options for capturing opposing pieces, a player is obligated to choose the move that results in the highest number of pieces taken.

While this may sometimes seem disadvantageous – and indeed, the computer may anticipate this in its previous move – it’s important to understand that this is a fundamental part of the checkers strategy. The ability to anticipate and plan for such situations is a key element of the game. The purpose of our app is not just to provide a platform for playing checkers, but also to help users learn and navigate the complexities of its rules and strategies.

1.3 – Can you make the AI stronger?

While it is technically feasible to enhance the AI’s capabilities, our primary objective when developing this app was to create an enjoyable and challenging experience for the vast majority of users – which we estimate to be around 98% at the highest level.

Our focus was not necessarily to compete with other cutting-edge algorithms or delve into AI research, but to create a balanced, accessible, and entertaining game for all levels of players.

As such, while it is possible to strengthen the AI, from a business and development perspective, we believe it’s more beneficial to invest our resources in other areas of improvement that can enhance the overall user experience and enjoyment. Rest assured, we are always working on updates to make your gaming experience better.

2 – Online games

2.1 – Why can’t I see the Elo score of my opponent?

The Elo scoring system is designed to approximate a player’s skill level based on their performance in games, with adjustments made according to the Elo score of the opponent. While it’s not a flawless measure of ability, it tends to provide a fair assessment of a player’s skill level.

However, revealing Elo scores can lead to strategic behavior that detracts from the overall gaming experience. Some players might attempt to manipulate their score by selectively choosing opponents with higher Elo scores. This can lead to a cycle of connecting and disconnecting to scout for ‘profitable’ opponents, which can discourage online play and reduce overall interest in our online games.

To ensure a healthier competitive environment and a more enjoyable gaming experience for all players, we have chosen to keep this information hidden. This decision aims to foster a more immersive, unpredictable, and challenging online gaming experience.

2.2 – Why doesn’t the connexion work tonight?

Connectivity issues can arise from a variety of sources, and they can occasionally occur with any online service, including our Checkers app. It is possible that Game Center, the platform that powers our online features, may experience temporary outages that could last for a few hours or even longer, although these instances have become significantly less frequent over time.

When this happens, it’s sometimes the case that the status may not be updated promptly on Apple’s System Status site. This can lead to understandable confusion, as Apple is renowned for its reliability and consistent service.

In such scenarios, it’s natural to assume the issue may be on our end. We always appreciate your feedback and reports of potential problems, but please understand that while we strive to provide a seamless gaming experience, we as independent developers don’t have control over Game Center’s server status.

So, if you’re experiencing connectivity issues, we recommend first checking Apple’s System Status page and then reaching out to us if the problem persists. We’re always here to help. And remember, a temporary outage doesn’t diminish the enjoyment and challenge of our Checkers game. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

2.3 – Why does my opponent’s timer sometimes increase?

This occurrence is perfectly normal and is part of the game’s design to ensure fair play. When your opponent makes a move, their device sends a message to your device. This message includes the move details and the precise time at which the move was made.

Once your device receives the message, it executes the move and resynchronizes your opponent’s timer. As a result, if the message takes, say, two seconds to reach your device, your opponent’s timer will have two seconds added to it. This process ensures that both players’ timers remain synchronized throughout the entire game, and that any delay caused by the system itself doesn’t count against either player’s time. It’s just one of the ways we make sure the game is as fair and accurate as possible.

2.4 – What can I do if my opponent is insulting me?

We value a respectful and positive gaming environment and have provided a few ways for you to manage any unpleasant interactions:

1. Dismiss the message: The chat text in our app is located in a hidden scrollview. If you’re uncomfortable with a message, you can literally swipe it upwards with your finger. This gesture will send the offensive text into oblivion, and it will also remove any subsequent messages from that player.
2. Mute the player: You can also choose to mute an offensive opponent. Open their identification table (which appears upon connection and is located at the top of the checkerboard) and tap on the bubble symbol. This action will prevent that player from sending any more messages to you in the current and future games.
3. Disable in-game chat: If you want to avoid in-game conversations altogether, you can uncheck the text messaging option in the menu panel once you disconnect from a game. This will disable all in-game discussions.

Please remember, maintaining a friendly and respectful gaming environment is a responsibility we all share. If you continue to experience any issues, don’t hesitate to contact our support team.

3 – Scores

3.1 – Why is my score sometimes not counted?

Updating your score involves a two-step process: first, your new score is recorded on your device, and then it’s uploaded to Apple’s servers. Occasionally, there may be a delay before your updated score appears on the leaderboard due to the synchronization process between your device and Apple’s servers. Typically, this is only temporary and your score should reflect accurately given some time. Furthermore, your device keeps a record of your last score, which it uses for the next score update even if the score retrieved from Game Center is lower.

It’s also important to note that any game concluding before the 15th move is not counted towards your score. This rule was implemented to discourage potential manipulation, such as a player using two of their own accounts to artificially inflate their score. Our aim is to maintain fair play and a genuine competitive environment for all players.

3.2 – How is the elo score computed?

To compute the elo score, I followed the wikipedia method. (Elo On Wikipedia)

The elo score is displayed after 20-25 games, in order to avoid giving too many information for possible hacks and/or constant complaints. Don’t forget it’s not a perfect rating system!

3.3 – How can I retrieve my online score after re-installing the app?

Your online scores (both Elo and overall) are securely stored on Apple’s servers and linked to your Game Center account. If you’ve reinstalled the app or wish to access your score on a different device, it’s a simple process.

Just sign into your Game Center account, open the Checkers app, and either start a new online game or check the leaderboards. The app will then retrieve your scores, along with some other information, and update them on your device. This process ensures your progress and achievements are always saved and accessible, no matter what device you’re using.

4 – General features

4.1 – Why is it always the computer (or me) who start the game? How can I change this?

In the game of checkers, the starting player is determined by the color of the pieces. For instance, in International Checkers (similar to Chess), the player with the white pieces always goes first.

If you wish to change the order of play, you need to change your piece color. This can be done in the single player panel within the app. Moreover, we have an option for alternating piece colors between games. To activate this, simply press the color option twice. When you see a double arrow indicating both white and black, this means the piece color – and hence the starting player – will alternate between games. This way, you can ensure a fair and varied gaming experience.

4.2 – Why don’t you make the checkers’ moves more accurate?

4.3 – There are too many ads, I just want to uninstall the game…

I understand that ads can be intrusive and I empathize with your sentiment. Ideally, I’d love to offer an ad-free app that users could try and purchase solely because they enjoy it.

However, the reality of app development is different. Ads account for 95% of the revenue for this app. It seems most players prefer to endure ads rather than pay the cost of a cup of coffee to purchase the app outright, even if they enjoy it.

Creating an app involves significant effort, risk, and at times, frustration. I strive to balance offering a high-quality gaming experience with a reasonable number of ads. This balance can shift as the industry changes.

Remember, purchasing the app not only removes ads but also directly supports the app’s continuous improvement and future development. Thank you for understanding and for your support.

4.4 –  It’s November, and it’s the time of the new iOS. Should I upgrade right away?

Apple typically recommends updating to the latest iOS for optimal security and performance. However, as with any new system update, there might be potential for minor glitches or compatibility issues between the new OS and certain apps. While these are usually resolved quickly, it’s worth considering.

Ultimately, the decision to upgrade immediately is entirely up to you. We strive to ensure our app runs smoothly on all iOS versions, and we appreciate your understanding and patience if any issues do arise during the transition to a new OS.

4.5 – What is your privacy policy ?

The official privacy policy is available here: Privacy Policy

4.6 – What is your addiction policy?

The “attention market” is indeed a vast and competitive field, with apps battling against other major players such as social media, news outlets, adult content providers, and game developers, all vying for user attention. Many of these platforms employ a variety of tactics designed to create a cycle of dependency and engagement.

Such tactics can include frequent interactions, notifications, emotional triggers, star rankings, progression systems, reward mechanisms, shiny animations, and ego gratifications. These strategies are commonly used within the gaming industry to boost user retention and engagement, and it’s clear they work.

However, I believe in a more ethical and responsible approach when it comes to my checkers app. While I hope users enjoy the game and feel compelled to replay, I consciously decided against using manipulative tactics to artificially inflate engagement. This app focuses solely on the experience of playing checkers, without any hidden hooks designed to foster addiction.

In this respect, I may seem a bit “old-fashioned,” but I believe that quality gameplay should be the primary factor that keeps users coming back, not psychological tricks.

4.7 – How can I see the last played move?

To view the last move played in the game, simply triple-tap anywhere on the background of the game board. Upon doing this, a white arrow will appear on the board, indicating the start and end points of the most recent move.

4.8 – How can I align automatically the captured pieces?

To automatically align the pieces that have been captured, you just need to triple-tap any captured checker. This will neatly arrange all the taken pieces. If you wish to undo this action, simply triple-tap the captured checker again.

5 – Bug reports

5.1 – I have noticed a bug, how can I report it to the developer in an efficient way?

Reporting a bug can feel a bit like telling a priest about a typo in the Bible; it’s a huge text, and knowing where to look can be a challenge. Similarly, finding and fixing bugs in the Checkers app requires clear, detailed information.

If you notice a bug and want to report it, the best practice is to provide as much context as you can. When did the bug occur? Under what circumstances? What exactly happened? For instance, you might say, “I was playing against the computer on Level 3 when I noticed [describe the issue in detail].”

To report the bug efficiently, use the “Email us” button within the app. Write a detailed description of the issue and consider including a screenshot (you can usually take one by pressing the power and volume buttons at the same time) or a screen recording.

If you’re using a Mac, you can make a screen recording by connecting your device to your computer, launching the QuickTime Player app, and selecting “File > New Movie Recording.” Then, select your device as the source near the record button. Including a screen recording in your bug report is the most efficient way to demonstrate the issue you’re experiencing.

6 – Purchase refund

6.1 – I purchased the premium version by mistake, how can I get reimbursed?

Unfortunately, as an app developer, I don’t have the ability to process refunds directly. This is handled by Apple through the App Store. You can find detailed instructions for requesting a refund by visiting Apple’s support page on purchase refunds. Here is the link: Apple store purchase refund. Please follow the steps outlined there to request a reimbursement.

7 – Previous Checkers apps

7.1 – I used to play your checkers app a few years ago, but I cannot get back my score nor my premium purchase, why is this?