''Bannercatch'' is a video game version of Capture the flag published by Scholastic in 1984 for the

Apple II Apple II ("apple Roman numerals, two", stylized as Apple ][) is a series of microcomputers manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. from 1977 to 1993. The Apple II (original), original Apple II model, which gave the series its name, was designed ...

and Commodore 64. An edutainment game, ''Bannercatch'' allows up to two players (each alternating between two characters in the game world) to compete against a team of four computer-controlled robots.

Gameplay

The main playing field of ''Bannercatch'' is divided into four quadrants: one for each team (players and computer), and two neutral quadrants which hold the

jails A prison, also known as a jail, gaol, penitentiary, detention center, correction center, correctional facility, or remand center, is a facility where people are imprisoned under the authority of the state, usually as punishment for various cri ...

. Each team's flag is initially located within their own quadrant, and can be captured if a member of the opposing team touches it. Participants can be tagged and sent to their team's jail while in the opposing team's quadrant, or in a neutral quadrant while carrying a flag. Participants in jail can only be released if a teammate finds them. If a flag carrier is tagged, the flag is placed at that location. The game map also includes trees, a moving river, a perimeter wall, and uncharted territory, enabling a wide variety of strategies. Special locations enable the players to question Max, the commander of the computer-controlled team, and gain information on the game state (such as flag locations) by using

binary code A binary code represents plain text, text, instruction set, computer processor instructions, or any other data using a two-symbol system. The two-symbol system used is often "0" and "1" from the binary number, binary number system. The binary cod ...

. Both teams score points by performing actions such as capturing flags and tagging opponents. The first team to capture the opponents' flag and carry it into their own quadrant wins the round. Portions of Max's face are revealed or covered up based on the margin of victory for the players or the computer, respectively. The game consists of five difficulty levels. Once the players have achieved a three-victory lead over the computer at the current level, they advance to the next one. The ultimate goal is to reveal all of Max's face.

Reception

Phil Seyer for ''

Antic Alphanumeric Television Interface Controller (ANTIC) is an LSI ASIC dedicated to generating 2D computer graphics to be shown on a television screen or computer display. Under the direction of Jay Miner, the chip was designed in 1977–1978 b ...

'' said "The action can be quite exciting as you try to elude Max's robots or chase them when they steal your flag." Tan A. Summers for ''

Family Computing ''Family Computing'' (later ''Family & Home Office Computing'' and ''Home Office Computing'') was an American computer magazine published by Scholastic Corporation, Scholastic from the 1980s to the early 2000s. It covered all the major home comp ...

'' said "''Bannercatchs best lesson may be the wonderful "Aha!" feeling that's a part of the discovery that occurs as you play it." ''

InfoWorld ''InfoWorld'' (''IW'') is an American information technology media business. Founded in 1978, it began as a monthly magazine. In 2007, it transitioned to a Web-only publication. Its parent company is International Data Group, and its sister pu ...

s Essential Guide to Atari said "Earning points for tagging, capturing and winning are a lot of fun, but learning the skills involved in cooperation and teamwork are applicable skills in every facet of life."

References

{{reflist 1984 video games Action games Apple II games Atari 8-bit computer games Children's educational video games Commodore 64 games Scholastic Corporation video games Tom Snyder Productions games Video games developed in the United States