Back some time in about 1990 or so there were two computer games by
the same company that I used to play. The game that I remember most
clearly involved the character moving around a maze-like building,
trying not to get eaten by worms. If you had a thumper, you could
place it down and the worms would go rushing to the thumper. You also
had to find ways to open doors. The game was is black and white,
terrible graphics, and had what i beleive might have been the first
level editor, where you could create your own levels.
The second had something to do with Time. Time stoppers? Time
detectives? Something like that.
I belive that the name of the company was something like "The learning
company," or something along those lines. I have no idea if it was
related to the current "learning company."
Any chance of finding out what those games were, and, even better,
where they might be downloaded from? Sorry for the poor info!
thanks,
-Bob

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 03 Feb 2003 11:26 PST

The worms and thumpers in your first game make it sound as if it may
be derived from Frank Herbert's "Dune," but I haven't been able to
find any evidence of a Learning Company game based on "Dune."

Your second game might be "Time Riders in American History." Here is a
description:

"The computer game is called 'Time Riders in American History',
designed by The Learning Company.  In the game, a villain (Dr. Dredd)
has managed to mess up headlines of events that took place in history.
 With the help of some other characters, the student is able to
investigate and find clues that will lead them to finding the correct
headline."

http://tiger.towson.edu/users/jmoore4/istcpap1.html

If you can recall any additional details about the games, please let
us know. Sometimes even a tiny clue can lead to an answer.

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Clarification of Question by bobtherat-ga on 03 Feb 2003 11:34 PST

The worms and thurmpers were obviously taken from Dune, but beyond
that, there is no connection (I should have said that before, there
was bound to be confusion).
I don't think that the second game is that. I may be completely up the
wrong alley by bringing in the second game, so it might be best to
ignore it completely. Sorry for making it even more difficult!
Finally, though the company was named somewhere along "learning
company" lines, I don't think that either of the games were actually
educational software.
I realize that these clues aren't much to go on, and don't worry if
you can't come up with anything.

Hi.

I believe that the game with the worms is "Think Quick" by the
Learning Company.

http://www.mobygames.com/game/sheet/gameId,6559/

Here's a description in a Usenet message hosted by Google Groups:
"The old Learning Company game, "Think Quick!" where you have to do
something (I forgot) and avoid Slime Worms. I think there's also a
Make-Your-Own-Level mode."
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet&selm=39712fd8.11208031%40news.early.com

Here's another Usenet message with a similar description:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet&selm=%25FRmd7MeCK%40khar-pern.talamasca.ocis.net

search strategy: google groups, "learning company", worms, make, level

Given your request to ignore the second game, I didn't include it in
my search. I hope this helps.

Some software by this company is available for download at
www.the-underdogs.org search for Learning Company under company names

Here http://www.the-underdogs.org/company.php?name=Learning+Company%2C+The