True Backgammon

CompuLab, Markus Gömmel

In-app purchases

About this game

One of the most successful Backgammon games on the iPad and iPhone, one of the most powerful computer opponents worldwide, is now also available for Android.

ALL THE FACTS IN UNDER 30 SECONDS

* Play against computer or humans. Choose from three difficulty levels. Play on a cool modern wood or metal board or choose from beautiful and richly ornamented optional boards. Play from left or right or play using black or white checkers. Play against friends on the same device. Your choice, your game.

* One of the best backgammon AI in the world (BGBlitz) is available as an in-app purchase as your opponent or tutor. Find out how good you already are and let BGBlitz teach you how to get better. Because, who doesn't love to win?

* Connect with friends by playing with them in 2-player mode on the same device. An occasional game is a great way to stay in touch with friends or to meet new people.

* Available for Android 8 or later. Optimized for the latest Android.

* You could be playing backgammon like never before in under a minute. What are you waiting for?



NOT YET CONVINCED? READ ON...


ALWAYS READY WHEN YOU ARE - COMPUTER OPPONENT
No matter if it is in the middle of the night or your coffee break, your computer is always ready for a match. Choose from three difficulty levels, according to your skill. For those who only want to play against the best, there is an world class artificial intelligence opponent available as an in-app purchase (more below). Casual play or competitive match? True Backgammon has an opponent for you that is fun to play with or that is a teeth grinding challenge.


PLAY WITH HUMANS NEAR YOU - GAME BOARD MODE
Imagine you are together with friends and you want to pass some time with a match? Or you sit on a train, playing against the computer and one of your commuters turns out to be a backgammon player too? You don't need to carry a real board with you all the time. Instead True Backgammon is your board. Play against friends and acquaintances, any time and anywhere.


BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER - GAME BOARDS
We didn't just strive to make a good AI and fluid gameplay, we also made it our mission to make it look good. No, not just good... we wanted to make them look drop dead gorgeous good. We found a skilled designer and then tortured him with feedback until we were satisfied. The result are two boards (metal and wood) which look awesome, while providing little visual distraction to let you focus on your strategy. And for those who love a little distraction, we let the designer run wild with a selection of (optional) fancy boards, rich with decor and beautiful details. Which one is your favorite?


AAAND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOARD, A MULTIPLE OLYMPIC CHAMPION AI - BEEE GEEEE BLITZ
From time to time there is an olympic tournament for backgammon programs. We managed to convince the maker of the three times winner BGBlitz to make his AI available to the users of True Backgammon. This AI is a world class opponent for those who only want to match up against the best. And it is a patient mentor. BGBlitz offers a tutor mode, that will point out moves that are less than optimal, and it will show better ones. It will also offer you statistics, and you can export your current match into the common sgf format to analyze it with other applications like XG2, BGBlitz or gnuBG.


WHAT ELSE CAN WE SAY?
Long story short, we put a lot of effort into this app, not just into the game play, but on every level. If you choose it, we are sure you will not be disappointed.

Ratings and reviews

Very good interface, smooth gameplay and a strong AI engine (worth paying the extra). Suggestions for improving the interface: 1) have an undo button that is immediately available, rather than through the menu. 2) When the AI tutor highlights an error, and you choose "show" me the best move, it is hard to see because half the board is hidden off screen. 3) Pip count would be most welcome, as well as point numbers.

Very solid piece of software to play backgammon. I am hoping for match review function and analysis in a future (pointing out blunders and so on). Edit: But can we have "after match" review? With arrows that makes it possible to navigate through the game and show blunders? I bought tutor and it's great, but I think analysing game step by step afterwards have best learning value.

I really enjoy this game compared to others I've tried. The roll of dices seem to be truly random. One thing I'd like to see is in "From-To" mode to have the pointers slightly larger and brighter. Looking forward to play a lot of games. Update: I've been playing backgammon for over 40 years and I've never seen an opponent get so many doubles and very often the needed roll of dices. Not so sure this game plays totally random dices.

What’s new

* App is now using Android 16 API level 36
* App is now using Google Play Billing Library 7.1.1
* App is now supporting devices with 16 KB memory management