Snapper is a clone of the Namco arcade game Pac-Man[1] programmed by Jonathan Griffiths for the BBC Micro and released as one of the launch titles for Acornsoft in 1982. It was also one of Acornsoft's launch titles for the Acorn Electron in 1983.[2][3]
Snapper started the BBC Micro tradition of controlling arcade games using the Z, X, : and / keys for horizontal and vertical motion, since on most BBC models the arrow keys were not conveniently placed for gaming.[4]
As in Pac-Man, bonus items such as fruit sometimes appear in the centre of the screen. The highest-scoring bonus item is an acorn, a reference to the publishers. When Snapper is killed, t shrinks and turns into small lines pointing in all directions.
The main difference in gameplay between Pac-Man and Snapper is the behaviour of the ghosts (or monsters). In Pac-Man, each ghost has its own personality and follows set patterns for each level. The red ghost also travels at double speed after a certain number of dots are eaten. In Snapper, the monsters begin each level by patrolling their corners a set number of times before breaking from their route to chase the Snapper. The time before breaking the route is reduced for each level until on later levels, the monsters chase Snapper almost immediately. The only real difference between the monsters is the corner they patrol and how soon they break from their route (e.g. the red ghost is always the first). Also, in Pac-Man, the main character slows when eating dots (so ghosts can catch up to him) but this does not happen in Snapper. These changes lead to a game which is much easier in the early levels but gets progressively more difficult[5] so games tend to last longer.
DevelopmentEdit
Acorn Electron version showing the redesigned characters
In development, the game was titled Puc Man (the first Japanese title of the arcade game was Puck Man) but the name was changed before release to avoid legal action. However, the initial release of the game was so close to Pac-Man (including the design of the game's characters) that this version had to be withdrawn and re-released with the characters changed.[6][7] The player's character became a round yellow face with very short legs wearing a green cowboy hat and the ghosts became skinny humanoid monsters.
ReferencesEdit
^ Jackson, Jane (December 1983). "The Micro User Games Software Review: Snapper Acornsoft". The Micro User (Issue 1-10). Retrieved 2010-10-03. SNAPPER is an attractive and incredibly frustrating version of Pacman.
^Edwards, Dave A. "Snapper". Retrieved 2010-10-03. 1983: SNAPPER, Acornsoft, £9.20 (Tape), £16.50 (ROM Cart)
^Reed, Martin. "Electron Games Reviews: Play it Again Sam 7". Electron User (Issue 6.9). Retrieved 2010-10-03. SNAPPER, Acornsoft's implementation of the ever-popular Pac Man, was one of the first games ever released for the Electron.
^Peter Rochford (April 1992). "Paradox". Beebug. RISC Developments Ltd. 10 (10): 17. Keys are the usual 'Snapper' ones
^ Edwards, Dave A. "Acornsoft Snapper". Retrieved 2010-10-03. The game gets progressively harder, and with higher scores as the fruit increase in value.
^Robinson, Oliver. "Only the Best BBC Micro Games". Retrieved 2010-10-03. Snapper was one of the first Video Arcade Conversions made for the BBC by AcornSoft.
^Reeves, Alex. . Retro Gamer. Archived from the original on 2010-06-16. Retrieved 2010-10-03. This is one of the many quality arcade conversions that Acornsoft created for the BBC Micro, being a very faithful example of Pac Man.
External linksEdit
Video clip of BBC Micro version (running at double speed)
October 15, 2023
snapper, video, game, snapper, clone, namco, arcade, game, programmed, jonathan, griffiths, micro, released, launch, titles, acornsoft, 1982, also, acornsoft, launch, titles, acorn, electron, 1983, snapperoriginal, version, with, type, characterspublisher, aco. Snapper is a clone of the Namco arcade game Pac Man 1 programmed by Jonathan Griffiths for the BBC Micro and released as one of the launch titles for Acornsoft in 1982 It was also one of Acornsoft s launch titles for the Acorn Electron in 1983 2 3 SnapperOriginal version with Pac Man type charactersPublisher s AcornsoftDesigner s Jonathan GriffithsPlatform s BBC Micro Acorn ElectronRelease1982Genre s MazeMode s Single playerSnapper started the BBC Micro tradition of controlling arcade games using the Z X and keys for horizontal and vertical motion since on most BBC models the arrow keys were not conveniently placed for gaming 4 Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Development 3 References 4 External linksGameplay EditAs in Pac Man bonus items such as fruit sometimes appear in the centre of the screen The highest scoring bonus item is an acorn a reference to the publishers When Snapper is killed t shrinks and turns into small lines pointing in all directions The main difference in gameplay between Pac Man and Snapper is the behaviour of the ghosts or monsters In Pac Man each ghost has its own personality and follows set patterns for each level The red ghost also travels at double speed after a certain number of dots are eaten In Snapper the monsters begin each level by patrolling their corners a set number of times before breaking from their route to chase the Snapper The time before breaking the route is reduced for each level until on later levels the monsters chase Snapper almost immediately The only real difference between the monsters is the corner they patrol and how soon they break from their route e g the red ghost is always the first Also in Pac Man the main character slows when eating dots so ghosts can catch up to him but this does not happen in Snapper These changes lead to a game which is much easier in the early levels but gets progressively more difficult 5 so games tend to last longer Development Edit nbsp Acorn Electron version showing the redesigned charactersIn development the game was titled Puc Man the first Japanese title of the arcade game was Puck Man but the name was changed before release to avoid legal action However the initial release of the game was so close to Pac Man including the design of the game s characters that this version had to be withdrawn and re released with the characters changed 6 7 The player s character became a round yellow face with very short legs wearing a green cowboy hat and the ghosts became skinny humanoid monsters References Edit Jackson Jane December 1983 The Micro User Games Software Review Snapper Acornsoft The Micro User Issue 1 10 Retrieved 2010 10 03 SNAPPER is an attractive and incredibly frustrating version of Pacman Edwards Dave A Snapper Retrieved 2010 10 03 1983 SNAPPER Acornsoft 9 20 Tape 16 50 ROM Cart Reed Martin Electron Games Reviews Play it Again Sam 7 Electron User Issue 6 9 Retrieved 2010 10 03 SNAPPER Acornsoft s implementation of the ever popular Pac Man was one of the first games ever released for the Electron Peter Rochford April 1992 Paradox Beebug RISC Developments Ltd 10 10 17 Keys are the usual Snapper ones Edwards Dave A Acornsoft Snapper Retrieved 2010 10 03 The game gets progressively harder and with higher scores as the fruit increase in value Robinson Oliver Only the Best BBC Micro Games Retrieved 2010 10 03 Snapper was one of the first Video Arcade Conversions made for the BBC by AcornSoft Reeves Alex Classic Retro Games Retro Gamer Archived from the original on 2010 06 16 Retrieved 2010 10 03 This is one of the many quality arcade conversions that Acornsoft created for the BBC Micro being a very faithful example of Pac Man External links EditVideo clip of BBC Micro version running at double speed Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Snapper video game amp oldid 1047432997, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
