Company:Human Code

From HandWiki
Human Code
FateAcquired by Sapient Corporation
Founded1993[1]
FoundersBill Holt[2]
Chipp Walters
Liz Walker
Gary Gattis
Headquarters,
United States
Key people
David Palumbo (vice president)[3]
Number of employees
70 (1998[4])

Human Code was a video game developer and multimedia design firm based in Austin, Texas.[5][6][7][8][9]

History

Human Code was founded in 1993 by Chipp Walters[10], Liz Walker, and Gary Gattis.[11] Other founders included Bill Holt.[2]

In 1995, Human Code acquired Japanese design firm IDEC.[12] IDEC was later renamed Human Code Japan.[12] The same year the company reported revenues of $2 million.[13]

In 1998, Human Code started streaming nightly news broadcasts from local CBS affiliate K-EYE.[14]

In 1999, Human Code helped design the software components of Zowie Intertainment's PlayZones toys.[15] It also secured $5 million in venture capital funding to fuel its continued rapid market expansion.[16]

By September 1999, Human Code employed 160 employees.[17]

In February 2000, Human Code acquired Top Drawer Productions, a multimedia developer of custom e-learning applications for educational publishers and corporate training.[18]

In August 2000, Human Code was acquired by Sapient Corporation.[19][20]

Products

Year Title Platform(s) Reference(s)
1993 Marsbook Macintosh [21]
1994 The Cartoon History of the Universe Windows [22]
1995 Software:Nile: Passage to Egypt Macintosh, Windows [23]
1995 Software:Operation: Weather Disaster Macintosh, Windows [24]
1996 Sky Trip America Macintosh, Windows [25]
1996 Wishbone and the Amazing Odyssey Macintosh, Windows [26]
1998 Barbie Riding Club Windows [27]
1998 Girl Talk Windows [28]
1999 Arthur's 1st Grade Windows [29]
1999 Trivial Pursuit Millennium Edition Windows [30]
1999 Ellie's Enchanted Garden Windows [15]
2000 Disney's Mickey Saves The Day 3D Adventure Windows [31]
2000 Arthur's Preschool Windows [32]

Presage Software

Presage Software (also known as Presage Software and Development Co)[33][34]was a company acquired by Human Code in March 1999.[16] It was founded in 1986 and was based in San Rafael, California.[16]

Presage Developed Products

Title Platform(s) Reference(s)
Software:Hexen: Beyond Heretic Macintosh version [35]
Software:Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks' Revenge Macintosh and Windows95 versions [36]
Software:Lode Runner: The Legend Returns Macintosh and Windows versions [37]
Prince of Persia Macintosh version [38]
Star Wars Screen Entertainment Macintosh and Windows versions [39]
Oh No! More Lemmings Macintosh version [40]
Lemmings Macintosh version [41]
Flashback Macintosh version [42]
RoboSport Windows version [43]
The Even More Incredible Machine Macintosh and Windows versions [44]
BreakThru! Macintosh version [45]
Contraption Zack MS-DOS and Amiga versions [46]
Grand Slam Bridge II Windows version [47]
The Incredible Toon Machine Macintosh and Windows versions [48]
Software:Jonny Quest: Curse of the Mayan Warriors MS-DOS version [49]
Software:Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra Macintosh version [50]
Solitaire Deluxe Windows95 version [51]
Spaceward Ho! Windows and MS-DOS versions [52]
Take a Break! Crosswords Macintosh version [53]
Vegas Games Entertainment Pack Macintosh version [54]
World of Xeen Macintosh version [55]
Drawing Discoveries Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions [56]
Chess Mates Macintosh, Windows and Windows95 versions [57]
Menlo the Frog Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions [58]
Mario Teaches Typing Macintosh version [59]
Mario's Fundamentals Macintosh, Windows, and MS-DOS versions [60]
The Backyard Macintosh, Windows, and MS-DOS versions [61]
Read, Write & Type Macintosh and Windows versions [62]
Dvorak on Typing Windows version [63]
The Playroom Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions [64]
Zurk's Learning Safari Macintosh and MS-DOS versions [65]
Madeline 1st and 2nd Grade Reading Macintosh, Windows98, and Windows95 versions [66]
Learn to Program BASIC Macintosh and Windows95 versions [67]
Kid Pix Contributed Programming to the Macintosh, Windows and Windows95 versions [68]
Star Control 3 Macintosh conversion [69]
Rockett's Tricky Decision Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions [70]
Rockett's New School Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions [71]
Software:Shanghai: Dynasty Contributed Art + Audio to the Macintosh and Windows95 versions [72]
Lode Runner (1998) Ported LodeRunner 1.5 to the Playstation [73]
Lode Runner 2 Windows95 and Macintosh versions [74]

References

  1. ↑ "The multimedia directory". Carronade Group. 1996. p. 113. https://archive.org/details/multimediadirect00clan/page/112/mode/2up?q=Human+Code. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Other People's Mail". October 1992. https://archive.org/details/BAR_19921001/page/n7/mode/2up. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  3. ↑ Democker, Judy (April 28, 1999). "Too Cool for School". Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121214622/https://www.wired.com/1999/04/too-cool-for-school/. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  4. ↑ Dial, Marla (July 10, 1998). "Human Code takes up space". Archived from the original on December 11, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041211061309/http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/1998/07/13/story7.html. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  5. ↑ "Egypt by CD-ROM". July 20, 1995. p. 121. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250930110443/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/182059467/. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  6. ↑ Gillespie, Spike (December 8, 1995). "Touring the Technology Factory". Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131111120721/https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/1995-12-08/530217/. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  7. ↑ HaFner, Katie (July 22, 1999). "I Link, Therefore I Am: a Web Intellectual's Diary". Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090402210719/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/technology/i-link-therefore-i-am-a-web-intellectual-s-diary.html. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  8. ↑ Hawkins, Lori (August 31, 1996). "Getting into the kid market". p. 57. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250722151520/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/177212582/. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  9. ↑ "Midsized companies". New York Rosen Central. 2000. p. 36. https://archive.org/details/newmediamultimed00mazo/page/36/mode/2up?q=Human+Code. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  10. ↑ Hawkins, Lori (August 22, 1998). "Spinoff to develop cartoon series, related software". p. 47. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250722153518/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/177213923/. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  11. ↑ "Mutlimedia Genes". August 1998. p. 18. https://archive.org/details/NewTekniques_Volume_2_No._04_1998-08_Advanstar_Communications_US/page/n19/mode/2up. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Human Code to acquire Japanese design firm, IDEC". 1995. Archived from the original on April 18, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000418003135/http://www.humancode.com:80/press.asp?a=43. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  13. ↑ "Multimedia firm nets 6-title deal". August 31, 1996. p. 63. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250722151907/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/177212875/. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  14. ↑ Slaton, Joyce (May 29, 2000). "Web Shows: Does Anybody Watch?". Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816162128/http://wired.com/news/print/0,1294,36506,00.html. Retrieved September 21, 2026. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Ricadela, Aaron (February 8, 1999). "Zowie Intertainment Shows Three Interactive Toys". Archived from the original on May 6, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990506184952/http://www.crw.com:80/news/1999/weekending021299/feb08dig03.asp. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Human Code's Momentum Continues With $5 Million in Venture Capital Funding For Acquisitions, Expanded Services and Worldwide Growth". March 15, 1999. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250131062144/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA54098736&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=6beba9af. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  17. ↑ "Austin Start Ups Bemoan lack of hip office space". September 1999. Archived from the original on March 6, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000306213523/http://www.humancode.com/press.asp?a=72. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  18. ↑ "Human Code buys Top Drawer". February 11, 2000. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250722150047/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA60303881&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=34ef61cd. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  19. ↑ Wray, Barbaar (March 23, 2001). "Seasoned tech execs add spice to VC firms". Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250930103741/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA79857741&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=ce8c5a44. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  20. ↑ "Company News: Sapient to buy Human Code, a media developer". August 10, 2000. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140726115449/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/10/business/company-news-sapient-to-buy-human-code-a-media-developer.html. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  21. ↑ Brewer, Charles (November 22, 1993). "Stumped for stocking stuffers? Try CD-ROMs". The News Journal: p. 44. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/191953812/. Retrieved February 23, 2026. 
  22. ↑ "Human Code's Multimedia Project, "The Cartoon History of the Universe", Wins MacUser Editors' Choice Award". January 25, 1995. Archived from the original on May 17, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970517001055/http://www.humancode.com/hchomepage/01.25.95.html. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  23. ↑ Greenman, Catherine (January 2, 1995). "Discovery Multimedia edu adventures to bow". Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241211060303/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Discovery+Multimedia+edu+adventures+to+bow.-a016020641. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  24. ↑ Strauss, Robert (January 21, 1996). "Exploring with the Discovery Channel". Newsday: p. 97. 
  25. ↑ Beauchamp, Lane (March 17, 1996). "A T show or computer game?". p. 137. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/189592499/. Retrieved February 2, 2026. 
  26. ↑ "Human Code and Palladium Interactive Team Up on CD-ROM Featuring Television's Canine Star Wishbone". April 29, 1996. Archived from the original on May 17, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970517000943/http://www.humancode.com/hchomepage/04.29.96.html. Retrieved March 26, 2026. 
  27. ↑ Dial, Maria (December 6, 1998). "Human Code grooms Barbie". Archived from the original on May 19, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040519202411/http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/1998/12/07/story2.html. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  28. ↑ "take note". The Tribune: p. 16. December 17, 1998. 
  29. ↑ "Arthur's 1st Grade". Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114192704/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21056. Retrieved August 20, 2026. 
  30. ↑ Games, Rovi. "Trivial Pursuit: Millennium Edition". Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114130823/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20704. Retrieved September 20, 2026. 
  31. ↑ Games, Rovi. "Disney's Mickey Saves the Day 3D Adventure". Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114221918/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28562. Retrieved September 21, 2026. 
  32. ↑ "Human Code Hosts Arthur Author, Marc Brown". May 8, 2000. Archived from the original on June 27, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010627014219/http://www.humancode.com/pr/ReleaseShow.asp?number=340. Retrieved September 22, 2026. 
  33. ↑ "Untitled". October 1995. p. 68. https://archive.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/issue/19951001#!&pid=68. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  34. ↑ "Scott Shumway". July 27, 1997. p. 94. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250319212256/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel/164211926/. Retrieved December 29, 2025. 
  35. ↑ "Presage Products Hexen". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014843/http://www.presage.com/pHexen.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  36. ↑ "Presage Products Lode Runner Online". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014935/http://www.presage.com/pLRonline.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  37. ↑ "Lode Runner: The Legend Returns". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014921/http://www.presage.com/pLRlegend.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  38. ↑ "Presage Products Prince of Persia". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015100/http://www.presage.com/pPrince.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  39. ↑ "Presage Products Star Wars Screen Entertainment". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015151/http://www.presage.com/pStarWars.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  40. ↑ "Presage Products Oh No! More Lemmings". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015036/http://www.presage.com/pOnoMoreLem.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  41. ↑ "Presage Products Lemmings". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014908/http://www.presage.com/pLemmings.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  42. ↑ "Presage Products Flashback". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014819/http://www.presage.com/pFlashback.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  43. ↑ "Presage Products RoboSport". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015113/http://www.presage.com/pRoboSport.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  44. ↑ "Presage Products The Even More Incredible Machine". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015215/http://www.presage.com/pTEMIM.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  45. ↑ "Presage Products BreakThru!". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014719/http://www.presage.com/pBreakThru.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  46. ↑ "Presage Products Contraption Zack". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014743/http://www.presage.com/pCZack.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  47. ↑ "Presage Products Grand Slam Bridge II". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014831/http://www.presage.com/pGSBridge.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  48. ↑ "Presage Products The Incredible Toon Machine". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015227/http://www.presage.com/pTITM.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  49. ↑ "Presage Products Jonny Quest: Curse of the Mayan Warriors". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014855/http://www.presage.com/pJQuest.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  50. ↑ "Presage Products Might and Magic III". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015012/http://www.presage.com/pMM3.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  51. ↑ "Presage Products Solitaire Deluxe". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015139/http://www.presage.com/pSolitaire.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  52. ↑ "Presage Products Spaceward Ho!". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614020036/http://www.presage.com/pSpacewardHo.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  53. ↑ "Presage Products Take a Break! Crosswords". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015203/http://www.presage.com/pTABXWords.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  54. ↑ "Presage Products Vegas Games". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614020043/http://www.presage.com/pVegasG.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  55. ↑ "Presage Products World of Xeen". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015239/http://www.presage.com/pWOXeen.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  56. ↑ "Steppong Stone Products Drawing Discoveries". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014755/http://www.presage.com/pDrawDisc.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  57. ↑ "Stepping Stone Products Chess Mates". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014731/http://www.presage.com/pChessMates.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  58. ↑ "Presage Products Menlo the Frog". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015000/http://www.presage.com/pMenlo.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  59. ↑ "Presage Products Mario Teaches Typing". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015024/http://www.presage.com/pMTTyping.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  60. ↑ "Stepping Stone Products Mario's Fundamentals". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614020055/http://www.presage.com/pMarioFun.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  61. ↑ "Presage Products The Backyard". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014707/http://www.presage.com/pBackyard.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  62. ↑ "Presage Products Read, Write & Type". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015125/http://www.presage.com/pRWT.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  63. ↑ "Presage Products Dvorak on Typing". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014807/http://www.presage.com/pDvorak.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  64. ↑ "Presage Products The Playroom". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015048/http://www.presage.com/pPlayroom.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  65. ↑ "Presage Products Zurk's Learning Safari". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015251/http://www.presage.com/pZurk.html. Retrieved December 30, 2025. 
  66. ↑ "Presage Products - Madeline". Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990128092231/http://www.presage.com/pMadeline.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  67. ↑ "Stepping Stone Products - Learn to Program BASIC". Archived from the original on November 27, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19991127080131/http://www.presage.com/pLTPB.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  68. ↑ "Presage Products - KidPix Studio". Archived from the original on October 4, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19991004022813/http://www.presage.com/pKidPix.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  69. ↑ "Presage Products - Star Control 3". Archived from the original on January 29, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990129015221/http://www.presage.com/pStarCon3.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  70. ↑ "Presage Products - Rockett's Tricky Decision". Archived from the original on October 5, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19991005000836/http://www.presage.com/pRockett2.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  71. ↑ "Presage Products - Rockett's New School". Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990128190311/http://www.presage.com/pRockett1.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  72. ↑ "Presage Products - Shanghai Dynasty". Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990128223916/http://www.presage.com/pShanghai.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  73. ↑ "Presage Products - LodeRunner Extra". Archived from the original on October 4, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19991004042959/http://www.presage.com/pLRPSX.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026. 
  74. ↑ "Presage Products - Lode Runner 2". Archived from the original on January 27, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990127214121/http://www.presage.com/pLR2.html. Retrieved May 19, 2026.