The Learning Company
From MYSTlore
The Learning Company (LearningCo, or TLC) was a distributor of computer games and education software, much like Brøderbund, and at one point (around 1998) had merged with the latter, therefore becoming the publisher of Cyan's products — hence, for example, the different logo in the Ages of Myst bundle.
Around 1999, Mattel (Wikipedia) wanted to enter this market, and did so by purchasing Mindscape (which, at the time, included TLC) and rebranding it as Mattel Interactive. Their complete lack of expertise, however, made the plan quickly fail. Mattel asked Cyan — who were busy with Mudpie — to create another Myst sequel; instead, Presto Studios, who had a similar spirit to Cyan, were contracted, ultimately leading to Myst III: Exile. (Dreamcatcher Interactive had created an earlier, alternative script for Myst III, which was reviewed once more during Myst IV development, but ultimately canned in favor of the Myst IV: Revelation storyline, although one major factor — the re-use of brothers Sirrus and Achenar — had remained.) realMyst features Mattel's logos, as do early trailers, posters and other artwork of Myst III: Exile. Mattel also provided RivenGuild, then without doubt the biggest, most resourceful community, with money to support its growth, rather than trying to form their own community.
In 2000, the situation became increasingly complicated. Mattel's dissatisfaction led to selling their Interactive brand to investors, and the name TLC briefly returned, only to lead to yet another new name, GAME Studios, which never even got so far as to have its own website.
In early 2001, the assets were split:
- the publishing rights for most games — including the entire Myst franchise — ended up at Ubisoft
- Riverdeep Interactive Learning took most of the education software, retaining the TLC and Brøderbund brands
- the remainder ended up at a newly-formed Mindscape
