You have no idea how difficult it was to even find the logo.
Previously, I covered the history of Maxis, a quite renown Studio that most people can recognize.
Now, I am going to do the opposite, a very obscure Studio most people don’t even know existed at all.
How obscure you might ask? Well, for one, it doesn’t even have a wikipedia page, for two, its only mentioned in passing (or not at all) when talking about Maxis, for three, most of their works, are now lost media, and for four, even looking up its names, nets you different more successful companies which share the name.
Here is the story, or rather, the tragedy that is Thinking Tools.
A Genius
Our tale starts with a man named John Hiles.
He left The Peace Corps in the 70s, because he decided to teach himself programming, you know, as you do, taking interest in the potential held by computers.
In no time, he was working in the aerospace industry, already working as an engineer on the Skylab space station while it was still being built on earth. Already with a foot at the door of Silicon Valley, which was quickly becoming the epicenter of the tech industry.
In the mid 80s, he was Senior Vice President of Product Development at Digital Research, although Digital Research used to be a quite prominent name in the tech industry, by the time Hiles was working there, the company was already in its downwards spiral, being overtaken by the likes of Microsoft and IBM.
During this time, he was thinking about ways in which to develop AI, but, what he had in mind, was a bit different, he wanted to apply cognitive theory to computing, in other words, he wanted to find a way to make a computer “think” unconsciously, he wanted to give AI a subconscious mind.
Although Digital Research allowed him to pursue his interests (to an extend), he found the shackles of the corporation a burden too heavy.
So, in 1986, together with his buddies Bruce Skidmore, and Bruce Montague, they left Digital Research, to start their own little company, by the name of Delta Logic.
There was just a slight problem, they didn’t know what to actually market.
Although they found themselves working on little projects for other Silicon Valley start-ups, they still wanted to pursue this whole “making computers think” idea Hiles had.
They looked at The Boids Algorithm by Craig Reynolds, which uses a set of simple instructions given to small entities, which together make a complex whole (I am simplifying it A LOT), and they thought how can they use something similar to it, but to make the computer simulate more complex systems, like a business, or a country.
Even though they had the idea, they kept struggling on finding a way of making such a program marketable, until a certain little company entered the picture.
He left The Peace Corps in the 70s, because he decided to teach himself programming, you know, as you do, taking interest in the potential held by computers.
In no time, he was working in the aerospace industry, already working as an engineer on the Skylab space station while it was still being built on earth. Already with a foot at the door of Silicon Valley, which was quickly becoming the epicenter of the tech industry.
In the mid 80s, he was Senior Vice President of Product Development at Digital Research, although Digital Research used to be a quite prominent name in the tech industry, by the time Hiles was working there, the company was already in its downwards spiral, being overtaken by the likes of Microsoft and IBM.
During this time, he was thinking about ways in which to develop AI, but, what he had in mind, was a bit different, he wanted to apply cognitive theory to computing, in other words, he wanted to find a way to make a computer “think” unconsciously, he wanted to give AI a subconscious mind.
Although Digital Research allowed him to pursue his interests (to an extend), he found the shackles of the corporation a burden too heavy.
So, in 1986, together with his buddies Bruce Skidmore, and Bruce Montague, they left Digital Research, to start their own little company, by the name of Delta Logic.
There was just a slight problem, they didn’t know what to actually market.
Although they found themselves working on little projects for other Silicon Valley start-ups, they still wanted to pursue this whole “making computers think” idea Hiles had.
They looked at The Boids Algorithm by Craig Reynolds, which uses a set of simple instructions given to small entities, which together make a complex whole (I am simplifying it A LOT), and they thought how can they use something similar to it, but to make the computer simulate more complex systems, like a business, or a country.
Even though they had the idea, they kept struggling on finding a way of making such a program marketable, until a certain little company entered the picture.
The Maxis Era
I assume you have already read my Maxis article, but if you haven’t, here is what you need to know for now: Maxis released SimCity on multiple platforms, which ended up being a big hit, revolutionizing the way people thought about games, and what was achievable with computers at the time.
SimCity proved to be exactly what Delta Logic wanted, an easy, fun and approachable interface, with very robust and sophisticated programming serving as the bedrock of the entire simulation. It was truly, the best of both worlds.
So, Hiles got to work, he wanted for Delta Logic to work with Maxis, which paid off, with Delta Logic becoming a contractor of Maxis in 1991, with them quickly being put to work in Maxis' projects.
Yet, the full acquisition of Delta Logic will come a little later, when the propositions from corporations rolled in, and Will Wright eventually relenting and accepting the creation of the “serious games division,” Maxis would acquire Delta Logic, and the little company will become Maxis Business Simulations (MBS).
In no time, they got their first actual gig, a commission for Chevron Corporation, they wanted a little piece of software to help their workers understand the big picture of their work in the refinery, of course not only the engineers, but every department as well (including HR and Accounting), in order to improve communication and understanding between stations.
This project will become SimRefinery.
In no time, MBS got to work, doing research, talking with Chevron’s chemical engineers, and getting tours through refineries.
The game was eventually given to Chevron in 1992, although allegedly, the corporation was quite happy with the product, and its use within it was a success, they didn’t actually use SimRefinery much, due to some criticism of it being a waste of money.
It was still considered a success.
SimCity proved to be exactly what Delta Logic wanted, an easy, fun and approachable interface, with very robust and sophisticated programming serving as the bedrock of the entire simulation. It was truly, the best of both worlds.
So, Hiles got to work, he wanted for Delta Logic to work with Maxis, which paid off, with Delta Logic becoming a contractor of Maxis in 1991, with them quickly being put to work in Maxis' projects.
Yet, the full acquisition of Delta Logic will come a little later, when the propositions from corporations rolled in, and Will Wright eventually relenting and accepting the creation of the “serious games division,” Maxis would acquire Delta Logic, and the little company will become Maxis Business Simulations (MBS).
In no time, they got their first actual gig, a commission for Chevron Corporation, they wanted a little piece of software to help their workers understand the big picture of their work in the refinery, of course not only the engineers, but every department as well (including HR and Accounting), in order to improve communication and understanding between stations.
This project will become SimRefinery.
In no time, MBS got to work, doing research, talking with Chevron’s chemical engineers, and getting tours through refineries.
The game was eventually given to Chevron in 1992, although allegedly, the corporation was quite happy with the product, and its use within it was a success, they didn’t actually use SimRefinery much, due to some criticism of it being a waste of money.
It was still considered a success.
Don't go saying I recycle pictures.
Sadly, it wont be the same for the subsequent projects.
Most of the next projects will either be mediocre (SimEnviornment), unfinished (SimSite), or never got off the ground due to negotiations not panning out (SimPower), all of them or whatever was made of them, is now lost media.
Just as quickly as prospecting projects came in, they were scrapped.
Finances weren’t looking good, and MBS was a big red in the accounts.
But, at the same time all of this was happening, Maxis got a new commission, coming from the Markle Foundation, they wanted a Sim game that would help people understand the process of healthcare policy making.
So, MBS got to work on SimHealth.
Given a lot of freedom on what to do with the game, SimHealth ended up becoming a little playground to try out what kind of effects certain decisions could have on everyday life, a political simulator.
And with politics, came controversy, a lot of criticism came, especially on how an issue as public health in The US should be handled.
SimHealth proved to be a bigger beast than anticipated, requiring far more investment of both money and manpower.
And, in the end, SimHealth wasn’t a success, financially that is, it still managed to get the attention of schools and universities.
Still, Hiles and the boys were happy, it was exactly what they wanted to program.
Yet, due to all these complications, and all the canceled projects, nearing the end of SimHealth’s development, MBS had to be cut, it will be their last project with Maxis.
Hiles managed to negotiate a deal with Maxis, he bought MBS, wanting to keep the now close knit team together.
The name for the new splinter company will be, Thinking Tools.
Most of the next projects will either be mediocre (SimEnviornment), unfinished (SimSite), or never got off the ground due to negotiations not panning out (SimPower), all of them or whatever was made of them, is now lost media.
Just as quickly as prospecting projects came in, they were scrapped.
Finances weren’t looking good, and MBS was a big red in the accounts.
But, at the same time all of this was happening, Maxis got a new commission, coming from the Markle Foundation, they wanted a Sim game that would help people understand the process of healthcare policy making.
So, MBS got to work on SimHealth.
Given a lot of freedom on what to do with the game, SimHealth ended up becoming a little playground to try out what kind of effects certain decisions could have on everyday life, a political simulator.
And with politics, came controversy, a lot of criticism came, especially on how an issue as public health in The US should be handled.
SimHealth proved to be a bigger beast than anticipated, requiring far more investment of both money and manpower.
And, in the end, SimHealth wasn’t a success, financially that is, it still managed to get the attention of schools and universities.
Still, Hiles and the boys were happy, it was exactly what they wanted to program.
Yet, due to all these complications, and all the canceled projects, nearing the end of SimHealth’s development, MBS had to be cut, it will be their last project with Maxis.
Hiles managed to negotiate a deal with Maxis, he bought MBS, wanting to keep the now close knit team together.
The name for the new splinter company will be, Thinking Tools.
A Sonata of Failures
SimHealth will be released as a collaboration between Maxis and Thinking Tools, and that would be their first proper release.
But, the stuff they had going with Maxis, had to be wrapped up as well.
Among them, TeleSim a game about telecom companies fighting to become big dog, a game which is now lost media.
But, the stuff they had going with Maxis, had to be wrapped up as well.
Among them, TeleSim a game about telecom companies fighting to become big dog, a game which is now lost media.
This is literally the only evidence that this game existed.
Now free from the burden of expectations from Maxis, and being able to have their own philosophy on software development, Thinking Tools got to work.
For a while, working on little projects for the military, which are now lost media.
The big project will come, with a commission from SHL System House, a project by the name of Project Challenge, which was meant as a training tool for project managers.
As a little marketing ploy, demos of Project Challenge were handed out to companies as a little “taste” of what Thinking Tools could do.
The full version of Project Challenge is lost media, what remains of it now, is the demo version.
For a while, working on little projects for the military, which are now lost media.
The big project will come, with a commission from SHL System House, a project by the name of Project Challenge, which was meant as a training tool for project managers.
As a little marketing ploy, demos of Project Challenge were handed out to companies as a little “taste” of what Thinking Tools could do.
The full version of Project Challenge is lost media, what remains of it now, is the demo version.
Another big project will appear, The Markle Foundation wanted to work with Thinking Tools again, this time, they wanted something similar to SimHealth, but centered around political campaigns, to teach people about the reality of the subject matter, including lobbying and backroom deals, the name of the project will become Power Trip.
Yet, Thinking Tools flew too close to the sun with this one, it was far too ambitious, they wanted far too much they couldn’t realistically do. Worst of all, Hiles got a bit too spicy with the politics, when the Markle Foundation got the demo, they pulled the plug, and distanced themselves from Thinking Tools.
That demo of Power Trip, is lost media.
With history repeating itself, Thinking Tools kept accepting projects, this time with none of them panning out. Either due to negotiations failing, or Thinking Tools being too ambitious for their own good.
The beginning of the end, was when the company went public, and the new board of investors wanted to shake things up.
Yet, Thinking Tools flew too close to the sun with this one, it was far too ambitious, they wanted far too much they couldn’t realistically do. Worst of all, Hiles got a bit too spicy with the politics, when the Markle Foundation got the demo, they pulled the plug, and distanced themselves from Thinking Tools.
That demo of Power Trip, is lost media.
With history repeating itself, Thinking Tools kept accepting projects, this time with none of them panning out. Either due to negotiations failing, or Thinking Tools being too ambitious for their own good.
The beginning of the end, was when the company went public, and the new board of investors wanted to shake things up.
Up in Flames
There was a major restructure of the company, with many people getting fired, and offices being moved.
New management wanted to make a new game, that game would be, Think 2000, a game about simulating the Y2k bug, in order to help companies prepare accordingly.
It too was a failure, and now, you guessed it, is lost media.
Knowing that the company was dead, the new management tried their hardest to make it next to impossible for the employees to find new work, mostly out of spite, and a war between management and the Thinking Tools staff began.
A war which continued until the company went bankrupt and got acquired by another, doesn’t really matter which, Thinking Tools was over.
Now, you may wonder why so many Thinking Tools projects are lost media, and why this article doesn’t have that many pictures.
When the company died, it was so broke, they couldn’t pay benefits, nor salaries, nor severance, all the employees were told was: “Grab your computers or whatever from the office, that’s your severance pay, good luck guys.”
Out of sheer spite, the employees got together for a final farewell party, they made sure to bring their haul, and burned everything, including documents, and master copies of the games.
Afterwards, the team became scattered, either being poached by Silicon Valley, or becoming teachers.
Hiles went to work with the military again, making SimNavy and SimIraq, for educational purposes, allegedly.
He continued a humble life, until his dead in 2016.
And, there you have it, the story of Thinking Tools, a company that existed.
You can’t even google some of the company names, due to those names now being taken by newer more successful companies, that truly is insult to injury.
What else is there to say about this tale really?
Is it...
A cautionary tale on the importance of media preservation?
A tale of reality getting in the way of awesome ideas?
A tale of a genius shackled by business decisions?
The tragedy of a company with great ambitions, and even greater horizons.
New management wanted to make a new game, that game would be, Think 2000, a game about simulating the Y2k bug, in order to help companies prepare accordingly.
It too was a failure, and now, you guessed it, is lost media.
Knowing that the company was dead, the new management tried their hardest to make it next to impossible for the employees to find new work, mostly out of spite, and a war between management and the Thinking Tools staff began.
A war which continued until the company went bankrupt and got acquired by another, doesn’t really matter which, Thinking Tools was over.
Now, you may wonder why so many Thinking Tools projects are lost media, and why this article doesn’t have that many pictures.
When the company died, it was so broke, they couldn’t pay benefits, nor salaries, nor severance, all the employees were told was: “Grab your computers or whatever from the office, that’s your severance pay, good luck guys.”
Out of sheer spite, the employees got together for a final farewell party, they made sure to bring their haul, and burned everything, including documents, and master copies of the games.
Afterwards, the team became scattered, either being poached by Silicon Valley, or becoming teachers.
Hiles went to work with the military again, making SimNavy and SimIraq, for educational purposes, allegedly.
He continued a humble life, until his dead in 2016.
And, there you have it, the story of Thinking Tools, a company that existed.
You can’t even google some of the company names, due to those names now being taken by newer more successful companies, that truly is insult to injury.
What else is there to say about this tale really?
Is it...
A cautionary tale on the importance of media preservation?
A tale of reality getting in the way of awesome ideas?
A tale of a genius shackled by business decisions?
The tragedy of a company with great ambitions, and even greater horizons.
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