{{Short description|1982 video games}} {{Infobox video game series | width = | title = Snooper Troops | collapsible = | state = | image = Snooper Troopers cover.jpg | caption = | platforms = Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, MS-DOS | developer = Computer Learning Connection | publisher = Spinnaker Software | genre = Adventure/educational | spinoffs = }}
'''''Snooper Troops''''' is a series of two 1982 adventure/educational video games developed by Computer Learning Connection and published by Spinnaker Software. They were created by Tom Snyder and released for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS. The first case was entitled '''''Snooper Troops: Case #1: The Granite Point Ghost''''' and the second case entitled '''''Snooper Troops: Case #2 - The Case of the Disappearing Dolphin''''' was released later that year.
==Plot== In the first case, players have to solve the mystery of "The Granite Point Ghost", which has been scaring the Kim family out of their house.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7wCiNAUEuAMC&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22&pg=PA14|title=PC Mag|publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc.|date=February–April 1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vy3cBZkjbZgC&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22&pg=RA2-PA14|title=PC Mag|publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc.|date=November 1982}}</ref>
==Gameplay== In this "mystery simulation",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=amFQAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22|title=Teaching and Computers|year=1983}}</ref> players use the SnoopNet computer to search for clues along the streets, and search in people's houses while they're not at home. If you are caught snooping too many times, the game is over. After gaining enough information, they can convict the criminal.
''InfoWorld'' described the game as an electronic version of the board game ''Clue''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ui8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22&pg=PA57|title=InfoWorld|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|date=1983-08-15}}</ref>
==Development== ''Snooper Troops'' was developed by Computer Learning Connection (later renamed Tom Snyder Productions) and programmed by Tom Snyder.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Gutman|first=Dan|magazine=Computer Games|publisher=Carnegie Publications|title=The Computer Games Interview: In Search of Tom Snyder|volume=3|number=4|date=Nov–Dec 1984|page=45}}</ref> Around this time, Computer Learning Connection created the edutainment classics ''Snooper Troops'' and ''Agent USA'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2016/10/10/13192240/sub-mission-self-destructing-game-1986|title=The self-destructing game of 1986|last=Bertoli|first=Ben|date=2016-10-10|website=Polygon|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref> ''The Search Series'' and ''The Other Side''.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1002/ace.36719863004|title = Computer simulations come of age| journal=New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education| volume=1986| issue=30| pages=15–24|year = 1986|last1 = Palmer|first1 = Jane| last2=Snyder| first2=Thomas F. F.}}</ref> The game is based on the best-selling Snooper Troops detective stories by Tom Snyder.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0921/092134.html|title=Spinnaker Software sails into home education|date=1983-09-21|work=Christian Science Monitor|access-date=2018-03-14|issn=0882-7729}}</ref> The series was originally meant to have more than two entries, but only two games were made.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue30/045_1_New_Products_Spinnaker_Software_Corp._Markets_Home_Learning_And_Strategy_Games_For_Atari_And_Apple.php|title=News & Products: Spinnaker Software Corp. Markets Home Learning And Strategy Games For Atari And Apple|website=www.atarimagazines.com|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref>
The game was written for the home market, and targeted schools due to the application of school-taught skills such as case-solving.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QqBcatiLXDIC&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22&pg=PA25|title=Humanistic Perspectives on Computers in the Schools|isbn=9780866563970|last1=Harlow|first1=Steven|year=1985 |publisher=Psychology Press }}</ref> It intended to develop vocabulary and reasoning skills.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vy3cBZkjbZgC&q=%22Snooper+Troops%22&pg=RA2-PA80|title=PC Mag|date=November 1982|publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc.|pages=80|language=en}}</ref> ''Snooper Troops'' was marketed nationally on a major scale by Spinnaker Software; the campaign involved the design and production of packaging intended to maximise the protection of the discs over a long time period.<ref name="auto"/> In 1985, Gessler Education Software published ''The Case of the Disappearing Dolphin'' in French (on the Apple II), and ''The Granite Point Ghost'' in Spanish and German on the Commodore 64.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=My8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Snooper+Troops%22&pg=PA50|title=InfoWorld|date=1985-12-02|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|language=en}}</ref>
==Reception== According to the book ''Beyond Edutainment'', the game became "one of the first examples of a successful educational adventure", and that along with ''Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego'' and ''The Oregon Trail'' helped bring legitimacy to the edutainment genre.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4UjVCwAAQBAJ&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22&pg=PT56|title=Beyond Edutainment: Exploring the Educational Potential of Computer Games|isbn=9781447693598|last1=Egenfeldt-Nielsen|first1=Simon|date=2013-03-13 |publisher=Lulu.com }}</ref> The book ''Disney Stories'' explained that it is an "early adventure game".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E9GVJJqNjGAC&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22&pg=PA117|title=Disney Stories|isbn=9781461421016|last1=Lee|first1=Newton|last2=Madej|first2=Krystina|date=2012-04-26 |publisher=Springer }}</ref> ''Learning How To Learn: Technology, the Seven Multiple Intelligences and Learning'' asserted the title was an example of "the ways in which computers can enhance student learning".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=R.|first=Davis, Russell|date=May 1991|title=Learning How To Learn: Technology, the Seven Multiple Intelligences and Learning.|url=https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED338214|language=en}}</ref> ''InfoWorld'' felt that some bugs let down the gaming experience,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ui8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Snooper+Troops%22&pg=PA57|title=InfoWorld|date=1983-08-15|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|language=en}}</ref> but ''InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers'' recommended the game as among the best adventures for the Atari 8-bit.<ref name="mace1984">{{Cite book |last=Mace |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/InfoWorlds_Essential_Guide_to_Atari/page/n89/mode/2up?view=theater |title=InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-06-669006-3 |pages=79–80}}</ref> ''PC Magazine'' felt the title was the standard that other educational games would be measured up against.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vy3cBZkjbZgC&q=Cambridge%2C+Massachusetts+snooper+troops&pg=RA3-PA14 |title = PC Mag|date = November 1982}}</ref> ''Antic'' felt the game was not as responsive or creative as Infocom's ''Deadline'' (1982)''.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/v2n7/ProductReviews.html|title=8-Bit Product Reviews: Astro Chase, Blue Max, Snooper Troops Case #1, Hockey, Bible Baseball, Career Counselor, Knockout, Microgroup|last=Sickert|first=Jordan Powell, Roy Wolford, Valerie Pang, Larry Dziegielewski, Harvey Bernstein, David Plotkin, Julie|website=www.atarimagazines.com|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref>
The two games became the first educational games for home and school computers to make the industry's bestseller list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v9n4/130_Profile_of_a_snooper_troo.php|title=Profile of a snooper trooper.|last=(none)|website=www.atarimagazines.com|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref> According to Infoworld, the title sold very well.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gi4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Snooper+Troops%22&pg=PA84|title=InfoWorld|date=1984-02-13|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{MobyGames | id= /snooper-troops}} * {{MobyGames | id= /snooper-troops-case-2-the-case-of-the-disappearing-dolphin| name= ''Snooper Troops: Case #2''}} * [https://books.google.com/books?id=1VZRAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Snooper+Troops+%22]
Category:1982 video games Category:Adventure games Category:Apple II games Category:Atari 8-bit computer games Category:Commodore 64 games Category:Detective video games Category:DOS games Category:Educational video games Category:Spinnaker Software games Category:Video games based on literature Category:Video games developed in the United States