The Treehouse (video game)

The Treehouse
Apple II Cover art
Developer(s) Brøderbund
Publisher(s) Brøderbund
Producer(s) Janese Swanson
Designer(s) Leslie Grimm[1]
Lynn Kirkpatrick
Artist(s) Fred Dianda
Composer(s) Tom Rettig
Series Early Learning Family Series
Engine Mohawk
Platform(s) MS-DOS, Apple II, Macintosh, FM Towns, Windows
Release
  • June 1991 (DOS)[2]
  • 1992 (Apple II)
  • September 23, 1993 (Macintosh)
  • 1995 (FM Towns)
  • 1996 (Windows)
Genre(s) Educational
Mode(s) Single-player
Two-player (in certain games)

The Treehouse is an educational point-and-click personal computer game developed for MS-DOS and then ported to Macintosh and FM Towns. It was first released by Brøderbund in 1991 although most copies were sold in educational supply stores instead of mainstream stores that sold computer software and was provided with a Sing-along cassette tape.[3] It was re-released in 1996 for Windows versions 3.1 and 95. Although the Windows version has the same general activities, the characters, interface, and locations are different. Following the success of The Playroom, it was created and provided more content and the user's ability to explore further.[4] In 1993, a game titled The Backyard followed up.

Art and Animation

For the 1991 version, the character artwork and sprites were done by Fred Dianda. Research was put in to draw the opossums with musical instruments. The backgrounds were done with a minimal of 8 colours with 44 different shades and dithering effects implemented.[5]

Gameplay

The game's main characters are two opossums who at different times either want to play or take a nap. The activities within the game include music composition and learning, a music maze, a picture scene with interactive objects, a puppet show and a monopoly styled game that teaches currency.[6]

Educational goals

The game is designed for an older learners than "The Playroom".[7] The subjects in the game include math, language, music, creative art and science.[8] Children are encouraged to explore new places, learn new facts and put their creative skills to use.[9]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame
CGW[10]
GameSpot6.6 (Remake)[11]

Computer Gaming World gave The Treehouse five out of five stars, stating that it had a "rich, full environment" with "excellent sound effects"[10] and placed it as one the SPA Top Hits for Home Education.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Leslie Grimm Ph.D." (PDF). Talking Fingers Inc.: 1. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  2. ↑ "Computer Gaming World Issue 83" (PDF) (83). Computer Gaming World. June 1991: 85. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  3. ↑ Lewis, Peter H. (November 3, 1991). "Software; Shopping At Home". New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue136/S10_25_top_childrens_pr.php
  5. ↑ Fred Dianda. "Fred's Artwork". Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  6. ↑ Beth Ann Murray (September 1991). "Compute! Issue 133" (133). Compute!: 113. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ Eiser, Leslie (February 1992). "The Treehouse - After Hours". Technology & Learning. Vol. 12 no. 5.
  8. ↑ "Brain Gain - Compute!". Compute!. No. 136. December 1991. p. 139.
  9. ↑ "The Treehouse - After Hours". PC Magazine. Vol. 11 no. 6. Ziff Davis. March 31, 1992. p. 451.
  10. 1 2 Ackelson, Caitlin (February 1992). "Computer Gaming World Issue 91" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 91. p. 44. Retrieved 8 June 2016. Provides the player with a treehouse full of games, surprises, puzzles and things to explore...a rich, full environment.
  11. ↑ "The Treehouse - GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  12. ↑ "PC Research/SPA Top Hits". Computer Gaming World. No. 97. August 1992. p. 70.
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