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The Treehouse (video game)

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The Treehouse
Apple II cover art
Developer(s)Broderbund
Publisher(s)Broderbund
Producer(s)Janese Swanson
Designer(s)Leslie Grimm[2]
Lynn Kirkpatrick
Composer(s)Tom Rettig
SeriesEarly Learning Family Series
EngineMohawk
Platform(s)MS-DOS, Apple II, Mac, FM Towns, Windows
Release
  • June 1991 (MS-DOS)[1]
  • 1992 (Apple II)
  • September 23, 1993 (Mac)
  • 1995 (FM Towns)
  • 1996 (Windows)
Genre(s)Educational
Mode(s)Single-player, two-player (in certain games)

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.[3] 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.[4] 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

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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.[5]

Educational goals

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The game is designed for older learners than The Playroom.[6] The subjects in the game include math, language, music, creative art and science.[7] Children are encouraged to explore new places, learn new facts and put their creative skills to use.[8]

Reception

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Computer Gaming World gave The Treehouse five out of five stars, stating that it had a "rich, full environment" with "excellent sound effects"[9] and placed it as one of the SPA Top Hits for Home Education.[12] 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".[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Computer Gaming World Issue 83" (PDF) (83). Computer Gaming World. June 1991: 85. Retrieved 8 June 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ "Leslie Grimm Ph.D." (PDF). Talking Fingers Inc.: 1. Retrieved 3 June 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Buckleitner, Warren (December 1991). "25 top children's programs". Compute! (136): Page S10 – via atarimagazines.com.
  4. ^ Lewis, Peter H. (November 3, 1991). "Software; Shopping At Home". New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  5. ^ Beth Ann Murray (September 1991). "Compute! Issue 133". Compute!. No. 133. p. 113. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  6. ^ Eiser, Leslie (February 1992). "The Treehouse - After Hours". Technology & Learning. Vol. 12, no. 5.
  7. ^ "Brain Gain - Compute!". Compute!. No. 136. December 1991. p. 139.
  8. ^ "The Treehouse - After Hours". PC Magazine. Vol. 11, no. 6. Ziff Davis. March 31, 1992. p. 451.
  9. ^ a b Ackelson, Caitlin (February 1992). "Computer Gaming World Issue 91" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 91. p. 44, 46. Retrieved 8 June 2016. Provides the player with a treehouse full of games, surprises, puzzles and things to explore...a rich, full environment.
  10. ^ "The Treehouse - GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie (1993). "Computer Software/CD-ROM - Environments for Learning: 'The Treehouse'". The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book. Vol. 1 (1st ed.). New York: Harper Perennial. p. 272. ISBN 0-06-273196-3.
  12. ^ "PC Research/SPA Top Hits". Computer Gaming World. No. 97. August 1992. p. 70.
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