A classic game is getting a truly magical makeover. Merlin’s Chess, a fantasy-inspired, fully animated VR chess platform, is making its grand debut in Early Access on Meta Quest starting May 22, 2025, for $12.99—currently available for pre-order at just $9.99.
Developed by Teleporter Realities and published by MechaTurtle Interactive, Merlin’s Chess reimagines traditional chess with spellbinding visuals, voice-powered gameplay, and official Chess.com integration—offering a competitive edge with community-driven features and over 200 million potential opponents.
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping inside a board where knights thunder, rooks rumble, and pawns shimmer with arcane energy, this is your call to action.
♟️ What Is Merlin’s Chess?
Inspired by Wizard’s Chess from Harry Potter and the cult-classic Battle Chess, Merlin’s Chess is a VR-native chess game built from the ground up for immersive play. Whether you’re battling in a tabletop game by a cozy fireplace or commanding towering pieces in a massive fantasy coliseum, every match is a theatrical experience—packed with magic, strategy, and spectacle.
From powerful voice commands to intuitive hand tracking, Merlin’s Chess is designed to make every move feel as natural—and dramatic—as possible.
🧙♂️ Key Features That Set Merlin’s Chess Apart
🔮 Fantastical Animated Environments
Step into stylized arenas where every chess piece comes alive with dazzling animations and sound effects. Designed with MMORPG-inspired visuals and nods to pop culture and geek lore, each environment offers a unique backdrop to your strategic duels.
🌐 Official Chess.com Integration
Connect your Chess.com account to compete against over 200 million players across platforms—including web, mobile, and even physical boards. Earn “Verified” status and take on official Chess.com bots, including digital versions of Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, MrBeast, and the Botez Sisters.
🗣️ Voice Commands for True VR Magic
Speak your moves with natural language. Say “Knight to F3” or “mute voice chat,” and the game responds instantly. No rigid phrases, just intuitive control—like a true wizard commanding the board.
🧝 Social Play with Style
Customize your Elven, Orc, or fantasy avatar, engage in cross-platform voice chat, and manage match visibility with safety features like mute and block. Great for both friendly matches and ranked battles.
🤖 Adaptive AI Opponents
Face off against beginner-friendly or grandmaster-level AI—each with their own personalities and animated flair. From the mischievous MechaGoblin to upcoming fantasy challengers, the AI roster will expand throughout Early Access.
🧠 Learning Made Fun: Merlin’s Chess Academy (Coming Soon)
New to chess or looking to sharpen your skills? A full training system is in development, featuring interactive lessons, AI coaching, and personalized analysis to help players improve while enjoying the fantasy.
🎮 How You Can Play
- Launch Date: May 22, 2025
- Platform: Meta Quest (Exclusive)
- Price: $12.99 (Pre-order now for $9.99)
- Modes at Launch: Ranked, Casual, Spectator
- Input Options: Voice Commands, Hand Tracking, Touch Controllers
- Multiplayer: Cross-platform with Chess.com support
More environments, piece sets, and AI characters will be introduced via free and premium DLC, keeping the game fresh long after release.
🔧 What’s Coming Next in Early Access?
- 🧩 Puzzle Mode – Quick, skill-based challenges
- 🧠 Merlin’s Chess Academy – Full learning path for beginners
- 🪄 Mixed Reality Support – Play chess anywhere in your real-world space
- 🎭 Story-Driven Campaign Mode – Strategic battles with narrative depth
- 👥 Community Tournaments – Including creator events and Discord leagues
- 🤝 Third-Party Collaborations – Branded content and surprise IP crossovers
Merlin’s Chess is built with community feedback at its core, promising ongoing updates that respond to players’ needs, ideas, and strategic cravings
🔗 Learn More & Stay Connected
👉 Official Website: merlinschess.gg
🎮 Pre-order on the Meta Store (until May 22): $9.99
📢 Follow on Discord, X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
