Snag That Flag

Goal

Snag That Flag, at its most fundamental base, is extremely similar to 2 Player Tag. However, I made a lot of improvements, optimisations, and expansions to make it better and unique in its own way.

Original

The original game is a game of classic ol’ tag. The tagger has a floating text “IT” label above the player. When the time is up, the non-tagger player wins. However, in Snag That Flag, this is expanded into 3 distinct modes: Classic, Reverse, and Coin Master.

Adaptation

Classic Mode is the original rule: to win, be the one holding the flag when the timer expires.

Reverse Mode is the opposite of Classic. Win by not owning the flag when the time runs out.

Coin Master Mode, a special mode where players collect coins that randomly spawn in the map. This game mode only applies to Category B and C Maps. The player with the flag can earn 50% more coins bonus during end results of each round.

Controls

Local (same computer) multiplayer only.

Scoring

Settings

Preset

There are currently 5 presets available, and we also support loading custom ones.

Customisation

If none of the presets appeal to you, you may try customising the settings by yourself.

Features

Collectibles

Unlike the original game, Snag That Flag introduces active collectibles to alter match tempo.

Mechanics

Maps

There are currently 15 maps in the game. They are categorised into type A, B, and C maps. The order below is identical to the in-game order, while the L# in the name is the order of the added time.

Category A

These are the initial maps. They do not have Time Orbs and are not available in Coin Master mode.

L1: Grass Level I

Source

Adaptation

Added

2020/10/31

L2: Pirateship Level I

Source

Adaptation

Added

2020/10/31

Features

Spring Pad (new), Sail (new)

L3: Water Level I

Source

Adaptation

Added

2020/10/31

Features

Water (new), Floating Wood (new)

L4: Teleporting Level I

Source

Adaptation

Added

2020/10/31

Features

Teleporter (new)

Fun Fact

In 2PT, this map is light grey themed. In STF, we kept the palette as a tribute. However, during release 1120321, where all the thumbnails were re-created, it got updated to the actual in-game theme. This applies to its variant, L6: Teleporting Level II, as well.

L5: Water Level II

Source

Variant of L3: Water Level I

Added

2020/11/07

Features

Spring Pad, Water, Floating Wood, Faucet (new), Rotating Floor (new)

Fun Fact

Featured in the game boot-up background artwork. The first level to introduce the collectible mechanic. The first level to showcase interactive environment objects.

L10: Pirateship Level III

Source

Original

Added

2021/02/22

Features

Spring Pad, Sail, Moving Floor

Fun Fact

Featured in the main menu background artwork. The first asymmetrical map.

L8: Reverse

Source

Original

Added

2021/02/22

Features

Moving Floor, Rotating Floor, Reverse Orb (new)

Fun Fact

A Category B level prior to the 1120321 release.

Category B

These maps unlock more potentials of the game mechanics and map features.

L7: Stairs

Source

Inspired by NS Shaft

Added

2020/11/10

Features

Horizontal Rotating Floor, Top and Bottom Boundaries (new)

Fun Fact

The first ever Category B map to be added to the game. The first ever pseudo-infinite-and-random-generation platform map.

L9: Boss 1

Source

Original

Added

2021/02/22

Features

Bullet (new)

Fun Fact

There is no gravity in this map, and therefore the players float. The boss generates Time Orbs (or Coins in Coin Master mode) and shoots bullets.

L6: Teleporting Level II

Source

Variant of L4: Teleporting Level I

Added

2020/11/07

Features

Teleporter, Rotating Floor, Horizontal Rotating Floor (new)

Fun Fact

A Category A level prior to the 1120321 release.

L11: Water Level III

Source

Original

Added

2021/03/02

Features

Spring Pad, Water

Fun Fact

A door in the centre opens and closes periodically, separating the map into 2 isolated parts.

L12: Teleporting Level IV

Source

Original

Added

2021/03/02

Features

Spring Pad, Teleporter, Moving Floor

L13: ROC

Source

Original

Added

2021/03/02

Features

Spring Pad, Water, Moving Floor, Rotating Floor

Fun Fact

The map is modeled after the national flag of the Republic of China, using Water as the blue sky and gear-like rotating platforms to form the sun and its rays. This is also the first and only non-water-themed map to feature the Water.

Category C

These maps are bigger compared to the standard sizes, and more collectibles can spawn.

L14: Elevator

Source

Variant of L8: Reverse

Added

2021/03/11

Features

Spring Pad, Moving Floor, Swap Orb (new), Random Teleport Orb (new)

Fun Fact

The first Category C map to be added. The height of this map is twice that of the others, making it the highest in the game until release 1100316, where it was eclipsed by the next map.

L15: Square

Source

Original

Added

2021/03/16

Features

Spring Pad, Swap Orb, Random Teleport Orb, Boost Orb (new)

Fun Fact

Currently the largest map ever.

Removed Maps

These legacy maps were removed from the active game due to not being unique or fun enough.

Roadmap

This project is not my primary focus and I currently lack the time to maintain it actively. However, if opportunity permits later on, I plan to implement some of the features that were proposed in the past, as follows:

Public Build

The game is currently hard-coded for the school’s computer specs. English translations will also be added.

Versus Computer

When trapped in home during the COVID era, I realised this game needed an AI bot to play against with. It should have a single player mode.

Room Matches

There have been numerous requests for true cross-device online multiplayer or even across different platforms, called the Snag That Flag Ultimate (do not call it by the initials). Building netcode from scratch is a massive undertaking, I think a LAN game is more feasible. Players can utilise virtual IP to play across different networks themselves.