Cogware Games

**Cogware Games** was a company founded by Connor Thomas that primarily focused on developing video games. All throughout the team's lifecycle, there have only been three members: Connor Thomas, Harry Waters, and Elizabeth Baker ("Liz").

Their most popular game is SHIPWRECKED 64, a Broadside Animation licensed Nintendo 64 video game. Development went rough, especially with Mark Mullins reacting negatively towards the final product.

## History

The earliest date of Cogware Games being active was in 1990 according to a chatlog being dated to that year. At the time, no games had been published yet by the studio.

**Connor**: i think it would be cool if we made a game where you play as a cop trying to bust into a facility
**Liz**: That Sounds Fun!
**Harry**: Could be, not sure if we'd have what we need to make it yet though
**Connor**: maybe we can make the main character a dog
**Harry**: There's already so many games with dog characters though.
**Connor**: i wanna reference baxter somehow though, patt is still kind of greiving
**Harry**: Oh
**Liz**: Sorry I was Gone, But I mean I Guess We Can Try To Honor Baxter Some How
**Connor**: yeah sorry but we need a proper character first
**Liz**: Can I reccomend a wolf maybe? We can call him Howlz or something
**Connor**: that's fucking stupid
**Harry**: I Like Howlz, That's A Fun Concept
**Liz**: Connor
**Connor**: yeah
**Liz**: Have you ever heard of having fun?
**Connor**: that's why i make games dumbass
**Harry**: What Games? We Haven't Even Published A Game Yet.........
**Connor**: because you guys are slow, don't blame me for that.
**Liz**: :\
**Connor**: this is my idea guys and if you guys are going to be trying to alter it im gonna just cancel it altogether
**Harry**: You Guys Need To Calm Down Or We Will Never Get A Game Out
This eventually lead to the development of *BlunderCover*.

The game caught the eye of Mark Mullins, the CEO of Broadside Animation at the time, and contacted Connor Thomas for a licensed video game deal.

**Connor**: I HAVE SOME FANTASTIC NEWS
**Harry**: You fixed the coffee machine?
**Connor**: (ATTACHMENT - IMAGE)
**Liz**: .
**Liz**: Who Is Mark Mullins?
**Harry**: That's the fucking Broadside CEO
**Liz**: OMG
**Connor**: Okay here's the email.
**Connor**: "Hello, Connor. We have a very important business opportunity we'd like to approach you for. We here at Broadisde Animation put innovation first, money second. We were ahead of the curve with our cutting edge parks, media, and now, it's time to venture into the virtual market. We would like to partner with you, to create a Technical Marvel. We've already partnered with Epic Games and have earned ourselves a grant to their engine, and now, our team has focused on Cogware. We would like to create a video game franchise surrounding Bucky and his friends trying to escape from an island.
By accepting this offer, you will receive a copy of Unreal Engine for yourself and your team, as well as a funding structure. We've got money, we can definitely provide for you guys. Pat our back, we pat yours.
I hope this reaches you well! This has been Mark Mullins, have a good day."
**Harry**: It's not april fools day man come on
**Connor**: IT'S NOT A JOKE
**Liz**: What Are You Waiting For? We Don't Even Need To Consider That. SAY YES!!
The team accepted the deal and SHIPWRECKED 64 went in development. Over the course of development, extra funding and delays needed to happen.

Some time in development, Mark Mullins entered the studio to playtest the game and film the game's commercial. Almost immediately, Mullins pointed out large mistakes the team had made; the additions of new characters and unrecognizable likenesses of the Broadside characters drew Mullins out of the experience.

Connor, in response, lashed out towards Mullins, demanding he leave the building. With the project as good as cancelled, Connor threw himself off the balcony, but not before receiving several Broadside Animation company secret. In his suicide note, he asked his son, Patt Thomas, to insert these company secrets inside the game.

**Liz**: Now What
**Harry**: I don't know
**Patt**: Hello?
**Harry**: Connor??
**Patt**: this is Patt
**Harry**: -
**Liz**: I'm Guessing You Heard The News.
**Harry**: Liz that is his fucking son
**Liz**: Right
**Patt**: Listen guys I need a huge favour from you, how do you insert video files to a game? I was asked to but I don't understand any of the coding shit he talks about.
**Liz**: Can't Help You There
**Patt**: Why not?
**Harry**: Liz is computer-illiterate.
**Liz**: Fuck Off
**Patt**: Harry what do i do
**Harry**: Look for a MEDIASOURCE object and select the file you want.
**Patt**: English please.
**Harry**: I'm trying, asshole.
**Patt**: My dad literally threw himself over the side of a balcony. Show some respect.
*SHIPWRECKED 64* eventually released via a small number of copies, with Broadside's company secrets implemented inside the game.

The last time the Cogware Games website renewed its copyright was in 1999, possibly signalfying that the company eventually went under without its founder.

## References

1. ↑ https://squeaksdcorgeh.indie.af/blundercover/smearware/Chatlog1990.html
2. ↑ https://squeaksdcorgeh.indie.af/blundercover/smearware/Chatlog1995.html
3. ↑ https://youtu.be/pznESUP2Omc?t=1213
4. ↑ https://squeaksdcorgeh.indie.af/blundercover/smearware/Chatlog1997.html
5. ↑ https://squeaksdcorgeh.indie.af/blundercover/