Introducing Flag Mode: A New Way to Explore Globdrop
Since the initial launch of Globdrop, Globdrop has been a map-clicking game: we gave you a place name, and you had to recall where it is and drop a pin on the map. We’ve loved seeing our players tackle everything from small local municipalities in Catalonia to world capitals and fantasy realms.
Today we’re adding a second way to play Globdrop: Flag Mode. Instead of placing a name on a map, you’re shown a flag and have to name the country or region it belongs to, against the clock.
What is Flag Mode?
Flag Mode is an entirely new category of gameplay in Globdrop. Instead of reading a place name and clicking on a map, the game displays a high-resolution, scale-independent vector flag. Your goal is simple: identify the territory or community represented by that flag before the clock runs out.
By shifting from map clicking to flag recognition, we are training a different cognitive pathway: visual pattern matching and symbolic association. Flags are rich historical shorthand, and mastering them is a fantastic way to deepen your global literacy.
How to Play: Answering Modalities
We wanted to ensure Flag Mode was accessible to everyone, from beginner vexillologists to seasoned trivia masters. Therefore, we designed two answering modes:
- Mode “Test” (Multiple Choice): The game displays the flag along with four selectable country buttons. One is the correct answer, and the other three are distractors randomly pulled from the registry. It’s perfect for quick, casual play and learning patterns.
- Mode “Write” (Free Input): For those who want a real challenge. You must type the name of the place. To help you type, we’ve integrated a smart, localized autocomplete field. Just start typing, and the game will suggest valid matching names!
Dynamic Scoring and the 15-Second Timer
Just like our classic maps, Flag Mode rewards speed as well as precision. Each round has a strict 15-second time limit. If you run out of time, the round is counted as incorrect.
Answering correctly earns a base of 100 points. Depending on how quickly you submit your answer, you can earn up to 100 additional speed bonus points! The formula scales linearly, rewarding players with lightning-fast recall.
Four Flag Scenarios
Flag Mode launches with four curated scenarios available directly from the Globdrop interface:
- World (
world.json): 74 flags of countries from around the world. - Europe (
europe.json): 35 European flags: tricolors, crosses and heraldry. - Spain’s Autonomous Communities (
spain.json): 19 regional flags of Spain, from Catalonia’s Senyera to the Canary Islands’ banner. - Special / Fun Flags (
fun.json): 54 unusual flags, chosen because they are odd, funny or easy to confuse.
All scenarios support difficulty settings (easy, medium, and hard) so you can narrow the catalog down to your current skill level.
Under the Hood: Language Tolerance
We know that spelling names with diacritics (like accents or cedillas) or handling casing on mobile keyboards can be frustrating. Before comparing, Globdrop lowercases your answer, trims surrounding spaces and strips accents, and it accepts the name in English, Spanish or Catalan. It isn’t fuzzy matching: as long as you spell the word right, the engine will recognize it.
Where to play
The Flag Mode update is live and ready to play. It requires no installation and no account. Head over to globdrop.vedratic.com, choose your flag scenario, and test your recognition speed today!
How we chose the flags in each set is in The art of vexillology, and how Write mode matches what you type is in how Write mode works. The full list of scenarios is on the Globdrop page.
