Igowin HD
| Category | Price | Seller | Device |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games | $9.99 | Smart Games | iPad |
Igowin HD uses the same Go engine as The Many Faces of Go, the three time world computer Go champion. It draws on more than two and a half decades of experience, a massive knowledge base and the newest research, as well as modern Monte Carlo techniques to help you learn and grow as a player. Designed specifically for the iPad, it takes full advantage of the iPad’s faster processor to bring you the strongest computer Go opponent available anytime you’re ready.
Igowin HD supports play on 9x9, 13x13, or 19x19 boards. This flexible program lets you set your rank as you like. Game parameters can be set up automatically based on your playing level, or you can choose whatever opponent strength or handicap you want.
Igowin HD has an all new, extensive Review Games feature that lets you save and review completed games or games in progress. Try new variations at any point in a game and continue playing against the computer from there. Mark stones and add comments to any game for later study to improve your play. The iPad’s large screen and Igowin HD’s updated, hi res graphics are ideal for game review. Virtually anything you can do with an sgf reader, you can do right on your iPad with Igowin HD, and you can email the game complete with all your changes to your PC.
The iPad’s large screen makes it easy to place your stones where you want it, but Igowin HD also has a built in “magnifying glass” to help you place stones accurately. Smart move technology snaps your stone into the correct position. The convenient "instant-undo" feature lets you reset a mis-tap without waiting for the computer to finish thinking.
Igowin HD has a comprehensive tutorial of rules and basic strategy. You can learn the game basics quickly and begin playing immediately. You can ask for a hint or an estimate of the current score anytime during a game. With no complex menus and just a few basic controls, the game is easy to navigate.
All AI levels are calibrated by actual play, on an online server. That means that the ranking Igowin gives you is very close to what your real-world ranking would be, rather than an arbitrary number that only applies within the app.
Igowin HD uses the traditional Kyu ranking system to measure your performance. The engine automatically adjusts its level of play to match yours. By using the calibrated rankings within the Go engine, it can play a 9x9 even game, with no handicaps, against any player, from beginner all the way up to 3 Dan level. 19x19 even games automatically adjust from beginner to 3 Kyu.
Whether you're a rookie looking for a fun way to learn and play the game of Go, or a crafty veteran looking for a challenge, Igowin HD is the app you've been searching for. Take Igowin HD wherever you go, and play it whenever you have a few minutes to burn. It's always ready for a quick game, or a long session.
With Igowin HD on your iPad, you're ready to start playing the 4000 year old game that takes a few minutes to learn, and a lifetime to master.
Reviews
Conflicts with Igowin13x13
Desert Dog 000
Initially I had the problem where it would work the first time, but then if I exited and reran it would crash (splash screen would come up, but then would exit). After trying unsuccesfully to uninstall and then install, I slept on it thinkin OMG I just wasted money on something that doesn't work. Later I thought it might conflict with igowin 13 x 13. Something I was running on my ipad, but designed for the iphone. Sure enough after uninstalling igowin 13 x 13 the igowin hd worked great. Sometimes I wish it wouldn't resign, so I could get some practice finishing a game, but otherwise I like it so far.
Need update!
iTryApp
Cashes! Able to play just one game. Now it only shows startup screen then cashes, cannot use it anymore. Not improvement on the game engine comparing to Igowin Pro.
The perfect go companion!
Rasping Bard
Finally, Igowin (a.k.a Many Faces of Go) comes to the iPad! I love this program. I play it every day and I can't beat it on its higher levels -- it's sooo good. And, the graphics look terrific on the iPad's screen. Great job Fotland and crew!
Good but AI ranking not "real world"
Luhmann
Go is notoriously hard for computers, but the AI on Igowin is one of the best, and the iPad implementation is wonderful. Well worth the money! However, I take issue with the developers claim that the ranking you get from the AI is anything close to your real world ranking. On KGS I'm 10 kyu, on Pandanet I'm 13 kyu, but on a 19x19 board I'm able to easily beat the AI at 5 kyu. The developer does a disservice to an otherwise great product in making such a claim. That the AI can play such a strong game on a full board is still very impressive.
The best go AI
xddex
Most go games are based on gnu go and play like a computer. Most top out at 5k range. I think this game uses the many faces of go engine and plays similar to that of real opponent decisions. I'm a 2d igs player and still can lose to the AI in a 9x9 game. I literally have purchased all go and baduk apps for iPhone and iPad. This is hands down the best
Not great
Okasa
The AI seems very good but there are a number of minor annoying things that make playing Go with iGowin more frustrating than fun. - There is no landscape mode. - The placement zoom circle is fairly slow to pop up. - There is only one undo allowed. It has happened that while placing a stone with my index finger, I accidentally brushed my thumb on the board and it placed a stone there. Then the computer quickly played, and then lifting my index finger registered a second play. But, only one undo is allowed so I'm stuck with the accidental thumb click. Due to the nature of the input device (the iPad), and how I use it (in bed), accidental touches are common. This could be solved either a) if a finger is down placing a stone, don't allow a second finger to register, or b) allow multiple levels of undo. If the author wants to protect the integrity of the ranks given by this software (like anyone really cares), then they can allow a setting where multiple levels of undo are available but that game won't count toward the player's ranking.
Gaining skill!
bogiesan
I have been playing at 20-10 kyu for forty years. When I discovered David Fotland's engine had been ported from Windows to the iOS, I made the purchase immediately. I am enjoying ten to twenty fast 13x13 games each day against an opponent that is unforgiving and demands close attention but is not condescending. If you are stronger than, say, 9 kyu you look at go differently than I do and you may not enjoy Igowin as much as I do. The comment below, "only one level of undo," is incorrect. There is a Review/Edit function that presents a slider to move backward through the record. You can play from that point forward. You can even change color. If I get beyond Igowin's assessment 15-12 kyu and understand more of the game, I may return to add to this review. This is the most fun I've had playing go in many years and I am looking forward to advancing to the full board. david boise ID
Finaly a decent go engine for iPad
Blackrider69
I am also owner of The Many Faces of Go running on Windows. Version running on Apple products is welcome. I really enjoy playing on iPad.
If it was stable with saved games
ladomino
So, I'm a long-time fan of Many Faces, so I was initially excited to see this appear for the iPad. Unfortunately, I've had to uninstall the app twice due to corruption of game state data. While there was not externally obvious condition that resulted in this state, the game fails to restore in progress games at that point, and there seems to be no way to even abort the game. It either crashes on startup, or gives the impression of the AI engine playing forever without making progress. If / When these stability issues are addressed, I'll re-review.
Strongest
Quixotic9
This has the strongest GO engine of any on the market. I don't understand the negative reviews. If you are choosing a game for the strength of the opposition, this is it (if you want a great UI and lots of historical games, go with SmartGo Kifu). Some shortcomings: it's clumsy to save and restore. And it does not allow multiple people to use the software and have separate ratings.
