The Treehouse (video game)
{{more citations needed|date=June 2016}}
{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = The Treehouse
| image = File:The Treehouse Apple II Cover.jpg
| caption = Apple II cover art
| developer = Broderbund
| publisher = Broderbund
| producer = Janese Swanson
| designer = Leslie Grimm{{cite journal |title=Leslie Grimm Ph.D. |url=http://www.talkingfingers.com/press/downloads/grimm_bio.pdf |publisher=Talking Fingers Inc. |page=1 |accessdate=3 June 2016}}
Lynn Kirkpatrick
| composer = Tom Rettig
| series = Early Learning Family Series
| released =
- June 1991 (MS-DOS){{cite journal |date=June 1991 |title=Computer Gaming World Issue 83 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_83.pdf |publisher=Computer Gaming World |issue=83 |page=85 |accessdate=8 June 2016}}
- 1992 (Apple II)
- September 23, 1993 (Mac)
- 1995 (FM Towns)
- 1996 (Windows)
| engine = Mohawk
| genre = Educational
| modes = Single-player, two-player (in certain games)
| platforms = MS-DOS, Apple II, Mac, FM Towns, Windows
}}
The Treehouse is a point-and-click educational video game for MS-DOS and then ported to Mac and the FM Towns, with Windows versions arriving later. Following the success of The Playroom, Broderbund created The Treehouse, which provides more content and furthers the user's ability to explore.{{Cite journal|last=Buckleitner|first=Warren|date=December 1991|title=25 top children's programs|url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue136/S10_25_top_childrens_pr.php|journal=Compute!|issue=136|page=Page S10|via=atarimagazines.com}} First released in 1991, most copies were sold in educational supply stores rather than mainstream stores that sold computer software; it included a sing-along cassette tape.{{Cite news|last=Lewis |first=Peter H. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/03/education/software-shopping-at-home.html |title=Software; Shopping At Home |work=New York Times |date=November 3, 1991 |access-date=September 21, 2018 |language=en}} It was re-released in 1996 for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. Although the Windows version has the same general activities, the characters, interface, and locations are different.
Gameplay
The game's main characters are two opossums who at various 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-style game that teaches counting and currency concepts.{{cite magazine |date=September 1991 |title=Compute! Issue 133 |url=https://archive.org/stream/1991-09-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_133_1991_Sep#page/n153 |author=Beth Ann Murray |magazine=Compute! |issue=133 |page=113 |accessdate=June 6, 2016}}
Educational goals
The game is designed for older learners than The Playroom.{{cite magazine|last=Eiser |first=Leslie |title=The Treehouse - After Hours |url=https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-12017830/the-treehouse |magazine=Technology & Learning |volume=12 |issue=5 |date=February 1992}} The subjects in the game include math, language, music, creative art and science.{{cite magazine |date=December 1991 |title=Brain Gain - Compute! |url=https://archive.org/stream/1991-12-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_136_1991_Dec#page/n179 |magazine=Compute! |issue=136 |page=139}} Children are encouraged to explore new places, learn new facts and put their creative skills to use.{{cite magazine|title=The Treehouse - After Hours |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a2YTCyIAwwIC&pg=PP463 |magazine=PC Magazine |volume=11 |issue=6 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=March 31, 1992 |page=451}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| CGW = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine |date=February 1992 |title=Computer Gaming World Issue 91 |url=http://pdf.textfiles.com/zines/CGW/1992_02_issue91.pdf |first=Caitlin |last=Ackelson |magazine=Computer Gaming World |issue=91 |page=44, 46 |quote=Provides the player with a treehouse full of games, surprises, puzzles and things to explore...a rich, full environment. |accessdate=8 June 2016}}
| GSpot = 6.6 (Remake){{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/the-treehouse/ | title = The Treehouse - GameSpot | website = GameSpot | accessdate = June 6, 2016}}
| award1Pub = Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award
| award1 = Platinum Award{{cite book |last=Oppenheim |first=Joanne and Stephanie |author-link= Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award |title = The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids |publisher = Harper Perennial |series = Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book |volume = 1 |edition = 1st |location = New York |date = 1993 |section= Computer Software/CD-ROM - Environments for Learning: 'The Treehouse' |page = 272 |isbn = 0-06-273196-3}}
}}
Computer Gaming World gave The Treehouse five out of five stars, stating that it had a "rich, full environment" with "excellent sound effects" and placed it as one of the SPA Top Hits for Home Education.{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_97#page/n69 |title=PC Research/SPA Top Hits |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=August 1992 |issue=97 |page=70}} The game was given a platinum award at the 1994 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Awards. The judges claimed that "the graphics and music are first-rate, and the activities are interactive and fun".
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/19970412100436/http://www.broderbund.com/studio/atoz/th.html Official site]
- {{moby game|id=/treehouse|name=The Treehouse}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Treehouse, The}}
Category:Children's educational video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Point-and-click adventure games
Category:Video games about animals
Category:Video games about toys