LGR Tech Tales - Hi-Tech Expressions: From Christmas to Capcom

This episode covers the origin and demise of Hi Tech Expressions/Thoughtware, from Jingle Disk to Megaman and beyond. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
● Consider supporting LGR on Patreon:
/ lazygamereviews
● Social links:
/ lazygamereviews
/ lazygamereviews
● Main sources for info:
PC Mag May 28, 1985
books.google.com/books?id=0di...
InfoWorld Dec 23, 1985
books.google.com/books?id=fC8...
Working Mother Jan 1988
books.google.com/books?id=XWE...
Benj Edwards Jingle Disk Notes
www.vintagecomputing.com/index...
PC Mag Jul 10, 1984
books.google.com/books?id=Bwn...
PC Mag Oct 14, 1986
books.google.com/books?id=nuX...
CLGWiki Motion Graphics Museum
www.closinglogos.com/page/Hi+T...
"Computer Program Sends Its Own Christmas Greetings"
articles.chicagotribune.com/19...
NESWorld Unreleased Games
www.nesworld.com/mirror/nr.php
"MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE TO GET THE BOSS INVOLVED"
www.nytimes.com/1984/12/02/bus...
Billboard Dec 2, 1995
books.google.com/books?id=NA0...
NYS Department of State
appext20.dos.ny.gov/corp_public/
SNES Central - Bobby's World
snescentral.com/article.php?i...
Archive.org
archive.org/details/A2_Hi_Tec...
archive.org/stream/bub_gb_aQg...
archive.org/details/HiTechExp...
● Background music credits:
"Nautical 2" by Loscil
• Loscil - Nautical2
"Anekbah Theme"
• The Nomad Soul: Soundt...
"Milinda" by Diode Milliampere
diodemilliampere.bandcamp.com/
"Rhodes to Heaven 2," "After The Storm 3"
www.epidemicsound.com

[@daserfomalhaut9809]

I would have loved this as a 22 minute G4 Tech TV show back in the day. This takes me back to watching Icons as a kid.

[@LGR]

Icons was definitely an inspiration for this series :)

[@jasonblalock4429]

You know, speaking of which, a Tech Tales about the Philips CDi would certainly fit the show's format...

[@retropirate1]

OH GOD YES!

[@prfo5554]

He should also make Tech Tales episodes on the Pioneer Laserdisc/ Laser Active Players, on Hp/Compaq and some of the brands they acquired like Palm (the makers of the Palm Pilot), Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), and Apollo Computers.

[@GatorRay]

No that is too infamous for this show. something like the Phantom though would be appropriate

[@LGR]

+tim5fl Yeah I'd much rather cover the Phantom or the Konix Multisystem

[@retropirate1]

Lazy Game Reviews please cover the CD-i aswell. mabye i'm just the only one but I'm in love with that machine, having a episode of it's story would be amazing

[@garyleigh]

Another great Tech Tale. It's not just the research you do on it, but you tell them so well.

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@jruonti]

A comment made 4 days ago on a video released today.... Time travel CONFIRMED! I do agree with the time traveler tho!

[@edgarazaky8256]

Gary Leigh wait wat ? The video is only 2 hours old and your comment was 4 days !? Wtf

[@wumboscorner2827]

It's because of his sexy voice

[@avanhokie]

People who donate to his patreon see his videos early I think.

[@RetroPowerUp]

lol, love the "MEH" in the breaking news line

[@annasincerbeaux6848]

hi lgr, I just wanted to say thank you for being my favorite youtuber of all time. I stumbled upon your channel by chance and watching your videos was actually what inspired me to enroll in engineering for my bachelors degree. I am so fascinated by your work and personality and it's an honor to be subscribed to you. You helped me laugh when life gave me nothing to laugh at. Thank you for what you put into this channel, because surely it's not just me that feels this way, but what you are getting back is nothing but appreciation and admiration for what you do.

[@LGR]

Thank you very much for the kind words :)

[@dingdongbells3314]

Ironically enough, a company with ''hi-tech"' folded because it couldn't keep-up with technology trends. Just like a prelude of things to come during the "'Dot com'' crash nearly a decade later.

[@SQGReviewShow]

That guy was wise to leave Hi-Tech Expressions to become president of Phillips. They made a great home console! XD

[@ryandevan2793]

He lied!

[@BlackFlagHeathen]

💀💀💀

[@MrDrokkul]

I was a big fan of their molecular microbiology software called "Cell, Cell, Cell!" Great vid LGR!

[@fuzzydunlop1753]

Lmao, underrated comment.

[@CzajnikowyPl]

Hi Tech's logo reminds me early 90' and Tom and Jerry for NES :)

[@slopesgameroom]

excellent video buddy, I love nothing more than discovering the history of franchises and companies I have never heard of :)

[@RetroCore]

Ah, Hi-Tec Expression. One of many US publishers / developers that had nothing but crap. The name alone was a sign to keep away. Others included Absolute Entertainment, grey matter and of course T. HQ. God only knows how that later kept on going for as long as they did.

[@Ryoneftw]

I love the Tech Tales videos, keep doing them dude!!

[@manoflego123]

You have an impressive list of works cited there! I really respect your commitment to research, and always enjoy your Tech Tales videos.

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@ShinjiSixteen]

In a similar vein, I want to thank you for not only your due diligence in research and preparing what you're going to talk about, but the actual companies and topics you choose to review for Tech Tales are extremely great choices. They've all been things I've always felt at the peripherals of my memory, but never thought of strong enough to fully investigate on my own. Cheers!

[@M3n747]

Tech Tales are by far my most favourite of your videos. Keep that amazing high-quality content coming and don't get too lazy! ;)

[@EggyWashed]

Omg. THIS IS A GREAT SERIES! Keep up the fantastic work, LGR.

[@helldog3105]

These Tech Tales are an excellent piece. I watch these as soon as I get the notification that one has been posted. It's fascinating to hear about these companies, many of which disappeared so quietly and to try and identify what happened for them to shut down. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, a peaceful Winter Solstice, Happy Kwanzaa and any other holiday that I have missed.

[@tenchi100]

I enjoy your Tech Tales series, especially your narration, as your voice is pleasant to the ears, and keeps my attention.

[@hondapromehmet6807]

Yes another tech tale!! I love your tech tales I think their the best part of your channel, I've been waiting for more! Please keep up the tech tales!!!!!

[@marco_evertus]

I love this series, love how Clint prefers...demands...quality over quantity when it comes to LGR Tech Tales.

[@thetoraj]

As a human that spent much time in marketing classes in college with a specialty in grassroots marketing and failed early digital initiatives, this and others should be required watching. When your small company thinks the world is your oyster, it probably is not.

[@darkroom0716]

Tech Tales is my favorite series of videos from you. Feel like you're doing something there that no other youtuber is doing, and its always an interesting little mini history lesson.

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@Zizzily]

Yay, a new Tech Tales! I love all of your stuff, but these are always my favorite. Always love learning more about the things I grew up with. Appreciate the hard work. ^^

[@RandomGuy-km6mn]

Tech Tales is probably my favourite series from you. Keep it up!

[@RobynVids]

I loved this! It would be great to see a part 2 about Phillips, considering umm...well CD-i.

[@Zatsuiki]

There is nothing quite like your Tech Tales Videos. I really like them and I hope you have fun making them!

[@LGR]

Glad to hear it, and I certainly do enjoy it myself :)

[@ProtoMario]

Oh God, Megaman pc is terribad, to the levels of Zelda CDi.

[@namebrandmason]

I had both it and Mega Man 3 on my 386. The controls were space to shoot and "J" to jump, which was super awkward for my third-grader hands. My dad hated the fact that the game had no "quit" feature; the only way to stop playing was to turn off the computer.

[@namebrandmason]

oh, huh. I totally didn't have a bootleg with zero documentation. . .

[@user-nv3ms4mt9j]

damn in my house InterNet Appear in only 2009

[@thetinpin]

I had Mega Man 3 that I "played" on my Tandy 1000 RL. "Played" in quotes because it was more like "frustrated." That thing had some of the worst control, level, and gameplay designs I've ever come across in ANY game, let alone a "Mega Man" title. To top it all off, the game ran and looked like absolute GARBAGE despite my little 8086 being superior to the 8088 requirement listed on the packaging. Allow me to qualify what I mean by GARBAGE performance - when taking damage, the knockback was SERIOUSLY *_3 or 4 seconds long!_* Granted, the NES Mega Man titles don't exactly have a short knockback period, but this was AT LEAST twice the length of those. If I remember correctly, in the CGA mode (my Tandy didn't support EGA of course) one of the splash screens that showed up when the game was launching was barely legible because of the way they implemented the glorious 4 color pallette. It was all blue or pink I think... Oh yeah, and one more thing: Mega Man could swim (poorly) for some reason... **shudder** Truly one of the worst and most frustrating games I've ever owned.

[@mav6771]

I would just like to thank you for these Tech Tale videos, I absolutely love them :)

[@mr.skeltal8687]

I find this stuff absolutely fascinating! Keep it up man :)

[@FinalBaton]

Also : is it me or those CGA christmas graphics are gorgeous? And I find the name and logo for Hi Tech Expressions damn good too. Speaking of that, "Hi Tech Expressions" would make a great name for a New Retro Wave/Synth Wave project :)

[@dyter424]

Don't have any other way to say happy birthday, Clint. :) I've been watching your videos since February. Lots of cool stuff.

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@SteveBenway]

I knew none of this. You have edjumacated me while keeping me entertained. Nice work, as always :D

[@LGR]

Happy to hear it, sir!

[@lordpolvo222]

cool video interesting addition to the old jingle disk video =D thanks for uploading Clint, hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!

[@Rgmekanic]

About time for a new Tech Tales man, this and Thrifts are my favorite content of yours

[@paulnash9851]

Astro-Grover ??? Count me in !!!....

[@dave4shmups]

Great job, as always, with this episode!

[@IndygoEEI]

RCR Brought me back here to remind of a new episode of LGR... And Tech Tales too! Wish we knew more about HiTech. I always wondered about them...

[@smugshrug]

*sees tech tales in subscription box* *grabs snack and gets comfy for maximum viewing pleasure*

[@pedrotski]

been waiting so long for this. thanks man! keep it up

[@whoijacket]

Oh wow. Big memories about those PC ports/versions of Mega Man. Growing up, we didn't have a console system, but we did have a PC. I played the crap out of Mega Man and Mega Man 3. Then we upgraded to a Intel Pentium system and they became unplayable due to CPU clock issues. Heart = Broken.

[@dosnostalgic]

I'm kind of fond of their Tom & Jerry game for both DOS and NES.

[@ItsRetroPlanet]

NES? Thought it was SNES. Wait, yeah you're right, never knew there was an NES version. Learn something new everyday!

[@toiletpapermerchant9310]

Oh yeah as soon as I saw that logo I remembered that wacky old Tom and Jerry game for DOS. Man so many hours of my childhood spent on that.

[@RNorthex]

exactly what i was thinking of the only really "hi-tech" thing i can think of is the tom and jerry game

[@ItsRetroPlanet]

One of their good games was a title called "Harley's Humongous Adventure" for the SNES.

[@prfo5554]

I have the Sega Genesis version and it's kind of hard to play compared to some of the other platformers on the system.

[@Dragonfire511]

Phiips Media Interactive.... we all know how that went... ahh ...

[@Redhotsmasher]

Dragonfire511 Yeah, that didn't end too well either, EH LUIGI?!

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

The Playstation however is another story. I say this because they were both tasked with making CD based add-ons for the SNES, but instead ended up making their own CD based consoles. One went on to become a commercial success and the other tanked while nearly ruining the legacy of a company they previously worked closely with!

[@Redhotsmasher]

Cyberbrickmaster1986 True that - Sony ended up with one of the best selling consoles to date, Philips ended up with "LOTSA SPAGHETTI!". :p

[@Dragonfire511]

I Still have my PSone working

[@bluedragon9925]

Enough! My ship sails in the morning! I wonder what's for dinner...

[@LucaShoal]

Oh god, Chaos at the Carnival. Thanks for reminding me of that game (I played it on the NES, never beat it that I can remember.) Now I have to go watch an LP of it. That intro music brings back MEMORIES.

[@cloudysleep4732]

Tech Tales is the best! Thanks for posting!

[@RosePhoto1]

Holy crap! Xmas came early. LGR Tech Tales is the best!!

[@seanconor1]

Tech Tales is probably my favorite thing on KZbin.

[@MaiussX]

I love your tech tales!

[@markinius8866]

Nice! Im excited for a Commodore episode!

[@beraviktor7641]

I love these history kind of videos. Would ask you to make more, but I guess they need a giant amount of research :D

[@yellowblanka6058]

Haha, I remember seeing the PC version of "Mega Man" and "Mega Man 3" in the bargain bin at Computer City etc. back in the day. The screenshots looked decent, but my goodness is the actual gameplay terrible. Looks like I dodged a bullet. Great video, you do a good job of providing good detail while remaining concise.

[@Peo.Ribeiro]

2:40 "To Satan, From Santa" LOL

[@mikonik6602]

Love Tech tales !! Keep 'em comin' LGR !!!!!

[@GatorRay]

Clint I honestly think this is you're most interesting series. Also I would like to see a tech tale video on Microsoft Bob? Because now I'm curious about it after your Tech Tales video on General Magic.

[@westhammer]

I love the Tech Tales! Great video!

[@Lagib28]

I got the Jingle Disk for my C64 in '84, and for that year and a few after, all the people on my Christmas card list got b&w dot-matrix printed cards from me. Most of them thought it was simply amazing.

[@freakishuproar1168]

You immediately got a like from me purely because I heard a Loscil track within the first five seconds of the video. Excellent taste sir!

[@HebaruSan]

Kudos to this company's leadership for being willing and able to turn on a dime and completely retool when a better market opportunity presented itself. Many companies go under because they're fixated on doing only one thing and fail to recognize a better option when it comes along.

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

tech tales are the best videos - comfy.

[@dj_doughy]

Oh man, I remember playing Win Lose or Draw on my dad's 386 he had in his office back when I was a kid in the early 90's. Cool note, he still uses that 386 for drafting applications. Still going strong!

[@Rabbitlord108]

All these years later and I find it HILARIOUS that Capcom used the name Shark Man (One of the THINGS from MS DOS Mega Man 3) for the name of a one-off Netnavi featured in the original Mega Man Battle Network.

[@DanielleWhite]

I had the MTV Remote Control and The Hunt For Red October PC games. I only remember Remote Control and only two things. 1: There were timed answer questions "Beat the Bishop" when a Roman Catholic bishop character would walk across the screen as the timer. The host introduced it with "he's not your bishop so don't be afraid to beat some papal butt.' 2: There were ridicule texts for wrong answers one of which was "it's times like this when nuclear armageddon doesn't seem like such a bad idea." Thanks for the memory trip

[@Gatorbox]

Every time I popped in an NES game and saw Hi Tech's logo I knew I was in for a treat. And by "treat" I mean total schlock.

[@genericgreensquid6669]

Nice! I liked this video Clint

[@TexasADV]

a new lgr tech tales!?!?! best Christmas ever!!!

[@ja-qwellin]

Wow LGR, You're riding up on half a million subs

[@LGR]

Exciting times!!

[@adj789]

Found you on RCR and sub'd

[@rustyskunks]

I always feel happy when i see a lgr video . I dont know but a grown man talking about a company that made a christmas floppy disk makes anyone happy

[@nullsetdesign]

This is crazy, I'm watching this video from Coconut Grove FL, a couple of blocks away from the old Thoughtware HQ!

[@digitaltos2696]

Oh my, Tech Tales is the best!

[@PantsMan13]

Oh that version of Mega Man...I remember it well as a youth, going to the Charlestown Mall in St Charles IL, seeing that game, and blowing my allowance on it. It seemed unrealistically difficult to a 12 year old. Perhaps because it was a poor game. Thanks for the memories LGR!

[@Skul-gun]

The only thing I remember about Hi-tech Expressions is the heart logo from when they released the NES Tom and Jerry game, which I still think is pretty decent. Great video as per usual!

[@itsmerickv]

Good video. I could just be recalling this wrong but I remember the Tom and Jerry game Hi Tech Expressions put out for NES was pretty good. The sprite animations were top notch.

[@jonnyretro5873]

Great video, thanks for uploading :)

[@Loveistheirwholehapp]

All I want for Christmas is for LGR to respond to this comment

[@LGR]

I REFUSE.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

Lazy Game Reviews HAHA!

[@GatorRay]

LOL!

[@Loveistheirwholehapp]

Lazy Game Reviews yay!

[@nicholassvitak8653]

Ever since you talked about Jingle Disk I've been wondering about Hi-Tech Expressions

[@rachelharrison7713]

7:53 FTW - Will you respect me in the morning haha!

[@feldhamer]

Is that snowman at 1:50 about to beat them over the head with that cane? :)

[@LGR]

He _is_ more than a bit sinister-looking...

[@ZanderEzekial77]

Great synths in this one LGR!

[@kawakesincfilms]

Yes, I had an itching for a tech tale so I decide to check LGR and got just what I wanted :)

[@PawDK88]

love these stories

[@JoshuaMiller-ny5uf]

Thanks to this video I found out the majority of my young computing time was made up by Hi-Tech Expressions. Great production, like usual.

[@Crocogator]

MegaMan X for DOS was one of the most influential games of my childhood. It brought me and my brother together. Certainly helps that it was a nearly flawless port and came with a sweet controller.

[@LGR]

Thank goodness that Hi-Tech had _nothing_ to do with it!

[@Crocogator]

I actually found that odd after finishing the video. The main programmer that did the horrible Mega Man games for DOS went on to do the perfect X port. Lots of folks forget it, and the only work they're known for is the poopy stuff :(

[@DrTube893]

Oh Tech Tales, my favorite

[@MegaManNeo]

Thanks for covering up where those cheesy MegaMan games for the PC came from. Actually it's kinda sad to see a company going downhill this way but this was the golden age of computing, Hi-Tech was one of many back then.

[@goten259]

Love these videos

[@BastetFurry]

I would love to see Berkley Softworks get the Tech Tale treatment next. :D Back then Geoworks was my beloved GUI system, next to DR-DOS/NV-DOS as my OS. ;)

[@JeanRodo]

Great video live learning about new stuff I otherwise would never know :)

[@monkeywithocd]

I actually recently got a Jingle Disk with a lot of C64 stuff. Nice to know the story behind it.

[@sillybuttons925]

More of these!!!

[@Snacksaloon]

Damn I love this series!

[@sholva6809]

I'm sorry LGR I love your vids, but I can't watch them right before bed because you have a very soothing voice that actually starts making my eyes heavy lol.

[@Horzuhammer]

Man, being a fan of the show, my imagination is running wild after hearing about the Twin Peaks -game. That could've been interesting. Got an itch to play the awfoul DOS Mega Man -games too for some reason.. :D Oh, and happy 30th!

[@lefloic-games]

Always love those tech tales! And having your sources in the description makes them that much more awesome! A video on books you use for research would be pretty cool, I'm always on the lookout for new stuff to read about the history of video games. I know more about consoles so I could use some more computer knowledge. Cheers!

[@GTB-yu2be]

Huge fan of all your videos. I especially like Tech Tales though.

[@portalplayer]

The gaming business is even riskier now, if u have one flop your whole business could close down. U don't get many chances for mistakes now.

[@DoomGuy148.]

Not tons but a few hundred easy kilograms are possible.

[@Xpancakes11X]

7:22 I still have my SNES version of "We're Back: A Dinosaur Story" and I find it interesting that they used the heart logo for that release but used the pinwheel/spiral logo for the genesis version.

[@dacypher22]

"Their planned support of the Sega Genesis 32X never came to fruition" - That is like someone dying of thirst, crawling on their belly and then finally dying only 5 feet short of being able to curl up in a fire.

[@daveraschke]

another rad video

[@GameplayandTalk]

Good story. I have always wondered what happened to Hi-Tech Expressions. Seems just like you said, they fizzled out.

[@EANTYcrown]

you are a genious Clint, have i told you that before? if not, i do so now

[@plan7a]

:D - Happy Birthday wishes Clint! (Albeit a little later than they should have been sent).

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@ShoMibu]

Damit clint, I repressed bobbys world for a reason. Now you brought the horror back! Also I bet you would of loved that twin peaks game :P