Capture The Flag (video game)
Encyclopedia
Capture The Flag is a 3D first-person perspective, two player, video game, released for the Atari 8-bit in 1983
. It was programmed
by Paul Allen Edelstein and was the follow-up to his 1982
game, Wayout
, which featured similar maze-based game-play for one player. Along with its predecessor, Capture The Flag was among the first 3D maze games to offer the player full 360 degree movement, and one of the earliest examples of a 'multiplayer' game from a first-person perspective within a 3D rendered environment.
, with one player (the 'Invader') trying to find the exit (or 'flag') in the maze while the other player (the 'Defender') tries to stop them, a role similar to the computer-controlled "Cleptangle" from the first game. The main difference is that the game's display is split-screen
, allowing each of the two players to view the maze from their own perspective.
The players themselves are represented within the maze as a simple, rectangular-shaped, blue or green avatar
. If the Invader finds the 'flag', or the Defender catches the Invader, a new maze is generated and the chase starts again. Another progression from Wayout
is that instead of a finite number of mazes, Capture The Flag can create an infinite amount of randomly generated mazes.
In the single player version, the computer takes the role of the Defender.
Capture The Flag also uses the 'mapmaker' feature from Wayout
, which draws the map in 2D in the lower half of the screen as each of the players move around the map. This allows each player to see the whereabouts of their opponent, but the 2D automap can be switched off to heighten the tension.
or the keyboard
utilising one of two methods; "Compass Movement" or "Walking Movement". Compass Movement allows the player to simply move as they would in a 2D game and watch their movements via the automap in the lower half of the screen, whereas Walking Movement allows them to use the 3D view and use the control to move forwards and turn left or right.
For the two player option, players must use both the joystick
and the keyboard
.
which changes depending on the proximity of the two players. It was composed by the prolific game-music composer George Sanger, and was one of the first games he worked on.
. The reviewer wrote, "it's very rare to see a good game design wholly redone by the same designer, rarer still to see him improve on his original in every single respect."
In their May 1984 issue review, Electronic Games magazine emphasised the fun aspect of playing against a human opponent, rather than a computer one, and how the music in the game added to the experience: "the music which gets louder with the close proximity of the opposing player begins to get more frenetic, and so the gamer slams into even more walls."
1983 in video gaming
-Events:* A major shakeout of the video game industry begins. By 1986, total video games sales will decrease from US$3.2 billion to US$0.1 billion.* MCA Universal files suit against Nintendo, claiming that the latter company's video arcade hit Donkey Kong violated Universal's copyright on King Kong...
. It was programmed
Game programming
Game programming, a subset of game development, is the programming of computer, console or arcade games. Though often engaged in by professional game programmers, many novices may program games as a hobby...
by Paul Allen Edelstein and was the follow-up to his 1982
1982 in video gaming
-Events:* December 27 - Starcade, a video game television game show, debuts on TBS in the United States.-Notable releases:*October 13 - Mystique releases the Custer's Revenge adult video game for the Atari 2600 home console....
game, Wayout
Wayout
Wayout is a 3D, first-person perspective, video game programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time...
, which featured similar maze-based game-play for one player. Along with its predecessor, Capture The Flag was among the first 3D maze games to offer the player full 360 degree movement, and one of the earliest examples of a 'multiplayer' game from a first-person perspective within a 3D rendered environment.
Gameplay
Capture The Flag is essentially a two player version of WayoutWayout
Wayout is a 3D, first-person perspective, video game programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time...
, with one player (the 'Invader') trying to find the exit (or 'flag') in the maze while the other player (the 'Defender') tries to stop them, a role similar to the computer-controlled "Cleptangle" from the first game. The main difference is that the game's display is split-screen
Split screen (computer graphics)
Split screen is a display technique in computer graphics that consists of dividing graphics and/or text into non-movable adjacent parts, typically two or four rectangular areas. This is done in order to allow the simultaneous presentation of related graphical and textual information on a computer...
, allowing each of the two players to view the maze from their own perspective.
The players themselves are represented within the maze as a simple, rectangular-shaped, blue or green avatar
Avatar
In Hinduism, an avatar is a deliberate descent of a deity to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation," but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation"....
. If the Invader finds the 'flag', or the Defender catches the Invader, a new maze is generated and the chase starts again. Another progression from Wayout
Wayout
Wayout is a 3D, first-person perspective, video game programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time...
is that instead of a finite number of mazes, Capture The Flag can create an infinite amount of randomly generated mazes.
In the single player version, the computer takes the role of the Defender.
Capture The Flag also uses the 'mapmaker' feature from Wayout
Wayout
Wayout is a 3D, first-person perspective, video game programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time...
, which draws the map in 2D in the lower half of the screen as each of the players move around the map. This allows each player to see the whereabouts of their opponent, but the 2D automap can be switched off to heighten the tension.
Controls
Players can chose to control their character using a joystickJoystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
or the keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
utilising one of two methods; "Compass Movement" or "Walking Movement". Compass Movement allows the player to simply move as they would in a 2D game and watch their movements via the automap in the lower half of the screen, whereas Walking Movement allows them to use the 3D view and use the control to move forwards and turn left or right.
For the two player option, players must use both the joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
and the keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
.
Music
Capture The Flag used an early form of layered dynamic musicDynamic music
Dynamic music is a concept used in many video games, whereby specific events cause the background music to change. Its first uses in major video games were Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge and Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss. It has since been used in such games as Mushroom Men and Guitar Hero...
which changes depending on the proximity of the two players. It was composed by the prolific game-music composer George Sanger, and was one of the first games he worked on.
Reception
Electronic Fun magazine gave a very positive review in its February 1984 issue, scoring the game 4 out of 4, and said that Capture The Flag was a huge improvement on WayoutWayout
Wayout is a 3D, first-person perspective, video game programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time...
. The reviewer wrote, "it's very rare to see a good game design wholly redone by the same designer, rarer still to see him improve on his original in every single respect."
In their May 1984 issue review, Electronic Games magazine emphasised the fun aspect of playing against a human opponent, rather than a computer one, and how the music in the game added to the experience: "the music which gets louder with the close proximity of the opposing player begins to get more frenetic, and so the gamer slams into even more walls."