Flag Capture

The computer has hidden a flag in some obscure sector of the map. It’s up to you, or your opponent, to capture it first.

Strategy is the key.

You’ll send out explorers to gather clues. Sometimes they’ll unearth numbers or arrows. Then you’ll know how far away or in which direction the flag is buried. Or, sometimes, your explorers may dig up bombs and get blown off the map!

About the Game

Published in 1978, Flag Capture was part of the second round of 11 games for the Atari VCS and developed by Atari’s Jim Huether. Flag Capture was loosely based on capture-the-flag and, according to Huether, received a mixed reaction from players. The relatively simple graphics along with more complicated levels kept some players from enjoying it. On the other hand, Huether says, the game developed a cult following of gamers who loved the competitive aspect of the two-player games.

Object of the Game

Each player controls an explorer. The object of the game is to find the flag using your explorer. The first player’s explorer starts in the upper-left corner square; the second player’s explorer starts in the lower-right corner square.

How to Play

Explorers can move from square to square. During your turn, you can move your explorer to any square position by using the joystick to move the explorer up, down, left, right, or in any diagonal direction.

When you are satisfied with the position of your explorer, press the red controller button. After doing so, one of the following objects will appear on the square.

A Direction Clue

An arrow may appear that will point to the direction of the flag. The following images show examples of Direction Arrows. The shaded area refers to the location of the flag.

A Number Clue

A number may appear that will refer to the distance between your explorer and the flag. For example, if the number 2 appears, the flag will be somewhere on the perimeter of a two-square radius. The following image shows an example of a Number Clue. The shaded area refers to the possible location of the flag.

A Bomb

A trap has been set and you fall for it. A bomb explodes under your explorer. It’s time to begin again at your starting square.

The Flag

Congratulations! You’ve found the flag.

Difficulty Options

In Two-Player Solo games (games in which players attempt to score the lowest number of points), you get one point for each flag when the difficulty button is in the B position. In the A position, you score two points for each flag.

In Two-Player Free-For-All games, the moving action of your explorer is slowed down when the difficulty button is in the A position.

Game Options

Features

From a wandering flag to timed rounds, Flag Capture offers a variety of game options to keep things interesting.

Free-For-All

Both players start moving their explorers across the maze simultaneously. There is no need to take turns. Pay attention to your opponent’s clues if at all possible. The first player to find the flag scores a point.

Double Two-Player

You and your opponent take turns moving your explorers to uncover clues. The first player to find the flag scores one point.

Solo Two-Player

In this variation, you continue to take turns until the flag is found. Next, it’s your opponent’s turn to find the flag. The object is to score the lowest number of points. You score one point each time you press the red controller button and receive a clue.

Stationary Flag (SF)

The location of the flag remains the same throughout the game.

Moving Flag - Wall (MF)

Each time you take a turn without finding the flag, the flag moves one square and it continues to move in the same direction until it is found. When the flag encounters the edge of the playing field, it will bounce off the wall in relation to the direction it was traveling.

Moving Flag - Wraparound (WR)

Each time you take a turn without finding the flag, the flag moves one square. The flag continues to move in the same direction until it is found. When the flag encounters the edge of the playing field, it will move to the opposite side in relation to the direction it has been traveling.

Moves 1-3:

The flag moves vertically off the top side and reappears at position 4 on the bottom side. The flag has theoretically traveled one square up and over.

Moves 4-7:

The flag moves horizontally off the right side and reappears at position 8 on the left side. The flag has theoretically traveled one square up and over.

Scoring

You score one point for each flag you find during Free-For-All and Double Two-Player games. The first player to score 15 points wins the game.

During Two-Player Solo games, you score the number of turns it takes to find the flag. For example, if you need six clues or turns to find the flag, your score is six. The first player to score 75 points loses the game. In timed one-player games, you score one point for each time you find the flag. You race against the clock to score as many points as possible in 75 seconds.

In two-player games, the second player’s score appears in the upper-right playfield corner, while the first player’s score appears in the upper-left corner.

In one-player games, the time appears in the upper-right corner of the playfield. In addition, you use the left controller and the score appears in the upper-left playfield corner.