Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 5, 2026

Human Code

Human Code was a video game developer and multimedia design firm based in Austin, Texas.

Last revised
Jun 5, 2026
Read time
≈ 9 min
Length
2,029 w
Citations
73
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Human Code
Founded19931
FoundersBill Holt2
Chipp Walters
Liz Walker
Gary Gattis
FateAcquired by Sapient Corporation
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
,
United States
Key people
David Palumbo (vice president)3
Number of employees
70 (19984)

Human Code was a video game developer and multimedia design firm based in Austin, Texas.56789

History

Human Code was founded in 1993 by Chipp Walters10, 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 1999, Human Code helped design the software components of Zowie Intertainment's PlayZones toys.14 It also secured $5 million in venture capital funding to fuel its continued rapid market expansion.15

By September 1999, Human Code employed 160 employees.16

In February 2000, Human Code acquired Top Drawer Productions, a multimedia developer of custom e-learning applications for educational publishers and corporate training.17

In August 2000, Human Code was acquired by Sapient Corporation.1819

Products

Year Title Platform(s) Reference(s)
1993 Marsbook Macintosh 20
1994 The Cartoon History of the Universe Windows 21
1995 Nile: Passage to Egypt Macintosh, Windows 22
1995 Operation: Weather Disaster Macintosh, Windows 23
1996 Sky Trip America Macintosh, Windows 24
1996 Wishbone and the Amazing Odyssey Macintosh, Windows 25
1998 Barbie Riding Club Windows 26
1998 Girl Talk Windows 27

Presage Software

Presage Software (also known as Presage Software and Development Co)2829was a company acquired by Human Code in March 1999.15 It was founded in 1986 and was based in San Rafael, California.15

Presage Developed Products

Title Platform(s) Reference(s)
Hexen: Beyond Heretic Macintosh version 30
Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks' Revenge Macintosh and Windows95 versions 31
Lode Runner: The Legend Returns Macintosh and Windows versions 32
Prince of Persia Macintosh version 33
Star Wars Screen Entertainment Macintosh and Windows versions 34
Oh No! More Lemmings Macintosh version 35
Lemmings Macintosh version 36
Flashback Macintosh version 37
RoboSport Windows version 38
The Even More Incredible Machine Macintosh and Windows versions 39
BreakThru! Macintosh version 40
Contraption Zack MS-DOS and Amiga versions 41
Grand Slam Bridge II Windows version 42
The Incredible Toon Machine Macintosh and Windows versions 43
Jonny Quest: Curse of the Mayan Warriors MS-DOS version 44
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra Macintosh version 45
Solitaire Deluxe Windows95 version 46
Spaceward Ho! Windows and MS-DOS versions 47
Take a Break! Crosswords Macintosh version 48
Vegas Games Entertainment Pack Macintosh version 49
World of Xeen Macintosh version 50
Drawing Discoveries Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions 51
Chess Mates Macintosh, Windows and Windows95 versions 52
Menlo the Frog Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions 53
Mario Teaches Typing Macintosh version 54
Mario's Fundamentals Macintosh, Windows, and MS-DOS versions 55
The Backyard Macintosh, Windows, and MS-DOS versions 56
Read, Write & Type Macintosh and Windows versions 57
Dvorak on Typing Windows version 58
The Playroom Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions 59
Zurk's Learning Safari Macintosh and MS-DOS versions 60
Madeline 1st and 2nd Grade Reading Macintosh, Windows98, and Windows95 versions 61
Learn to Program BASIC Macintosh and Windows95 versions 62
Kid Pix Contributed Programming to the Macintosh, Windows and Windows95 versions 63
Star Control 3 Macintosh conversion 64
Rockett's Tricky Decision Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions 65
Rockett's New School Macintosh, Windows, and Windows95 versions 66
Shanghai: Dynasty Contributed Art + Audio to the Macintosh and Windows95 versions 67
Lode Runner (1998) Ported LodeRunner 1.5 to the Playstation 68
Lode Runner 2 Windows95 and Macintosh versions 69
References

References

  1. "The multimedia directory". Carronade Group. 1996. p. 113. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  2. "Other People's Mail". Bay Area Reporter. October 1992. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  3. Democker, Judy (April 28, 1999). "Too Cool for School". Wired. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  4. Dial, Marla (July 10, 1998). "Human Code takes up space". Austin Business Journal. Archived from the original on December 11, 2004. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  5. "Egypt by CD-ROM". Austin American-Statesman. July 20, 1995. p. 121. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Gillespie, Spike (December 8, 1995). "Touring the Technology Factory". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  7. HaFner, Katie (July 22, 1999). "I Link, Therefore I Am: a Web Intellectual's Diary". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  8. Hawkins, Lori (August 31, 1996). "Getting into the kid market". Austin American-Statesman. p. 57. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Midsized companies". New York Rosen Central. 2000. p. 36. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  10. Hawkins, Lori (August 22, 1998). "Spinoff to develop cartoon series, related software". Austin American-Statesman. p. 47. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Mutlimedia Genes". NewTekniques. August 1998. p. 18. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  12. "Human Code to acquire Japanese design firm, IDEC". Human Code. 1995. Archived from the original on April 18, 2000. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  13. "Multimedia firm nets 6-title deal". Austin American-Statesman. August 31, 1996. p. 63. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Ricadela, Aaron (February 8, 1999). "Zowie Intertainment Shows Three Interactive Toys". Computer Retail Week. Archived from the original on May 6, 1999. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  15. "Human Code's Momentum Continues With $5 Million in Venture Capital Funding For Acquisitions, Expanded Services and Worldwide Growth". PR Newswire. March 15, 1999. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Gale Research.
  16. "Austin Start Ups Bemoan lack of hip office space". The Wall Street Journal. September 1999. Archived from the original on March 6, 2000. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  17. "Human Code buys Top Drawer". Washington Business Journal. February 11, 2000. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Gale Research.
  18. Wray, Barbaar (March 23, 2001). "Seasoned tech execs add spice to VC firms". Austin Business Journal. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Gale Research.
  19. "Comapny News:Sapient to boy Human Code, a media developer". The New York Times. August 10, 2000. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  20. Brewer, Charles (November 22, 1993). "Stumped for stocking stuffers? Try CD-ROMs". The News Journal. p. 44. Retrieved February 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Human Code's Multimedia Project, "The Cartoon History of the Universe", Wins MacUser Editors' Choice Award". Human Code. January 25, 1995. Archived from the original on May 17, 1997. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  22. Greenman, Catherine (January 2, 1995). "Discovery Multimedia edu adventures to bow". HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via The Free Library.
  23. Strauss, Robert (January 21, 1996). "Exploring with the Discovery Channel". Newsday. p. 97.
  24. Beauchamp, Lane (March 17, 1996). "A T show or computer game?". The Kansas City Star. p. 137. Retrieved February 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "Human Code and Palladium Interactive Team Up on CD-ROM Featuring Television's Canine Star Wishbone". Human Code. April 29, 1996. Archived from the original on May 17, 1997. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  26. Dial, Maria (December 6, 1998). "Human Code grooms Barbie". Austin Business Journal. Archived from the original on May 19, 2004. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  27. "take note". The Tribune. December 17, 1998. p. 16.
  28. "Untitled". Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. October 1995. p. 68. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  29. "Scott Shumway". Santa Cruz Sentinel. July 27, 1997. p. 94. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. "Presage Products Hexen". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  31. "Presage Products Lode Runner Online". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  32. "Lode Runner: The Legend Returns". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  33. "Presage Products Prince of Persia". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  34. "Presage Products Star Wars Screen Entertainment". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  35. "Presage Products Oh No! More Lemmings". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  36. "Presage Products Lemmings". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  37. "Presage Products Flashback". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  38. "Presage Products RoboSport". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  39. "Presage Products The Even More Incredible Machine". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  40. "Presage Products BreakThru!". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  41. "Presage Products Contraption Zack". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  42. "Presage Products Grand Slam Bridge II". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  43. "Presage Products The Incredible Toon Machine". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  44. "Presage Products Jonny Quest: Curse of the Mayan Warriors". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  45. "Presage Products Might and Magic III". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  46. "Presage Products Solitaire Deluxe". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  47. "Presage Products Spaceward Ho!". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  48. "Presage Products Take a Break! Crosswords". Presage Softwrare. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  49. "Presage Products Vegas Games". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  50. "Presage Products World of Xeen". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  51. "Steppong Stone Products Drawing Discoveries". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  52. "Stepping Stone Products Chess Mates". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  53. "Presage Products Menlo the Frog". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  54. "Presage Products Mario Teaches Typing". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  55. "Stepping Stone Products Mario's Fundamentals". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  56. "Presage Products The Backyard". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  57. "Presage Products Read, Write & Type". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  58. "Presage Products Dvorak on Typing". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  59. "Presage Products The Playroom". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  60. "Presage Products Zurk's Learning Safari". Presage Software. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  61. "Presage Products - Madeline". Presage Software. Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  62. "Steping Stone Products - Learn to Program BASIC". Presage Software. Archived from the original on November 27, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  63. "Presage Products - KidPix Studio". Presage Software. Archived from the original on October 4, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  64. "Presage Products - Star Control 3". Presage Software. Archived from the original on January 29, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  65. "Presage Products - Rockett's Tricky Decision". Presage Software. Archived from the original on October 5, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  66. "Presage Products - Rockett's New School". Presage Software. Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  67. "Presage Products - Shanghai Dynasty". Presage Software. Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  68. "Presage Products - LodeRunner Extra". Presage Software. Archived from the original on October 4, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  69. "Presage Products - Lode Runner 2". Presage Software. Archived from the original on January 27, 1999. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
External links