Blagger (video game)

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This article is about a video game. For the British slang term, see List of Briticisms.
Blagger
Developer(s)Antony Crowther, R.S. Goodley
Publisher(s)Alligata, Amsoft
Designer(s)Antony Crowther
SeriesBlagger
Platform(s)Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, Commodore Plus/4, MSX
Release1983
Genre(s)Platform game
Mode(s)Single-player

Blagger is a platform game created by Antony Crowther and released by Alligata for the Commodore 64 and BBC Micro computers in 1983, Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC (through Amsoft) and MSX in 1984 and Commodore 16/Commodore Plus/4 in 1985. In some countries this game was released under the name Gangster. The gameplay is similar to that of Manic Miner, also released in 1983. A sequel, Son of Blagger, was released in 1984 with a third and final title Blagger Goes to Hollywood released in 1985.

In 2014 a clip from the BBC Micro version of the game along with creator Antony Crowther appeared in the documentary feature film From Bedrooms to Billions (2014) a film that tells the story of the British Video Games Industry from 1979 to present.

Gameplay

Blagger features platforms, ladders, conveyor belts, keys and baddies. In this screen a baddie shaped as initials 'RG' (seen in the upper section) relates to author of the BBC micro version, R.S.Goodley.

The game is divided into a series of single-screen levels. The goal of the player on each screen is manipulate Blagger, a burglar, to collect the scattered keys and then reach the safe. The keys must be collected and the safe opened in a set amount of time. Blagger can walk either left or right, or jump left or right. The jumping action is in a fixed pattern and cannot be altered once initiated. Gameplay reduces to learning the best order in which to collect the keys, and correct timing of movements and jumping.

Hazards

Not all platforms are solid, some decay once Blagger has walked on them. Other platforms serve to move Blagger in a particular direction. Blagger will die if he touches cacti, one of the moving enemy obstacles of the level or if he falls a certain distance. The moving enemies vary from level to level, and include cars, aliens, mad hatters, and giant mouths. The movement of the enemies is of a fixed pattern, repeatedly travelling from one point to another and back again. The BBC and Electron versions feature floating 'RG's as hazards (R.G. being the initials of the programmer of those versions, R.S. Goodley).

History

The game was one of the first of Crowther's games to be published commercially. The BBC micro port was undertaken by R.S.Goodley.

Reception

The game was popular enough to warrant ports to other platforms, such as the Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC and MSX.

External links


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