Chess But Better is an online chess mod created for a group class project. The assignment challenged teams to modify or build upon core chess mechanics to serve a specific purpose. Our team focused on leveling the playing field between novice and expert players by introducing an element of randomness.
To achieve this, we incorporated randomly spawning items that activate unique effects when a piece moves onto them. These effects range from freezing nearby pieces to temporarily transforming a piece into the “Monster,” a hybrid of a queen and a knight. By disrupting rigid strategies, these mechanics force both newcomers and seasoned players to adapt dynamically, making for a more unpredictable and engaging chess experience.

The game was developed in about one week, and I was responsible for all the coding and implementation of these new features, including integrating the items and their effects into the core chess mechanics. I also leveraged my experience from Pocket Panzers to set up a multiplayer rooms system using Photon PUN, allowing for online multiplayer gameplay.