That's a Fact, Jack! (lost edutainment game predecessor to "You Don't Know Jack"; 1996-1999): Difference between revisions

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'''''That's a Fact, Jack!''''', also known as '''''That's a Fact, Jack! Read''''' and '''''TFJ''''', is a 1990s interactive edutainment CD-ROM game made for grades 3-10. The game takes 5-10<ref>Sources vary on whether or not it was 5 books or 10 books. Likely it was 5 books per CD when ''Follett'' had the distribution rights, and then it moved to 10 books when ''Tom Snyder'' took rights.</ref> school books and turns them into game-show styled questions to test the students' reading and thinking skills. TFJ also has a question type called "Use It or Lose It" which is basically a true-or-false question.<ref>https://www.macworld.com/article/158586/16reviewsjack.html</ref>
'''''That's a Fact, Jack!''''', also known as '''''That's a Fact, Jack! Read''''' and '''''TFJ''''', is a 1990s interactive edutainment CD-ROM game made for grades 3-10. The game takes 5-10<ref>Sources vary on whether or not it was 5 books or 10 books. Likely it was 5 books per CD when ''Follett'' had the distribution rights, and then it moved to 10 books when ''Tom Snyder'' took rights.</ref> school books and turns them into game-show styled questions to test the students' reading and thinking skills. TFJ also has a question type called "Use It or Lose It" which is basically a true-or-false question.<ref>https://www.macworld.com/article/158586/16reviewsjack.html</ref>


This game is accompanied by a host called Jack Patterson (acted and voiced by Patrick Heupel)<ref>Jack Patterson is taken from the 1991 movie "The Mind's Treasure Chest" who was credited in the movie as Patrick Heupel.</ref> who talks in a way that makes him seem like he's really there. The game was a fan favourite among students and teachers<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19990128203023/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/teachers.html</ref> and [https://web.archive.org/web/19991103003429/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/awards.html won awards in its time.] There are currently 45-60 different CD-ROM titles released from 1996 to 1999<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19991103034118/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/titles.html</ref>, none of which were released retail and were only released in schools and libraries.
This game is accompanied by a host called Jack Patterson (acted and voiced by Patrick Heupel)<ref>Jack Patterson is taken from the 1991 movie "The Mind's Treasure Chest" who was credited in the movie as Patrick Heupel.</ref> who talks in a way that makes him seem like he's really there. The game was a fan favourite among students and teachers<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19990128203023/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/teachers.html</ref> and [https://web.archive.org/web/19991103003429/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/awards.html won awards in its time,] but that isn't to say it didn't have any flaws.<ref>https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF02771937.pdf</ref> There are currently 45-60 different CD-ROM titles released from 1996 to 1999<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19991103034118/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/titles.html</ref>.


==History==
==History ==
In 1989, Harry Gottlieb founded ''Learn Television'', an educational learning company. They first released the 1991 movie "The Mind's Treasure Chest". In 1994, Gottlieb also founded the company ''Jellyvision'', a video game development company.
In 1989, Harry Gottlieb founded ''Learn Television'', an educational learning company. ''Learn Television'' was first known for releasing the 1991 movie "The Mind's Treasure Chest". In 1994, Gottlieb also founded the company ''Jellyvision'', a video game development company.


''Learn Television'' partnered with ''Follett Software Company'' to create "That's a Fact, Jack!". At the same time, ''Jellyvision'' partnered with ''Berkeley Systems'' to make "You Don't Know Jack", a more adult version of TFJ. Both games were in development simultaneously, but YDKJ released in September 1995, and TFJ released in April 1996.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20071009021543/http://www.jellyvision.com/about/TimeLine.swf</ref>
''Learn Television'' partnered with ''Follett Software Company'' to create "That's a Fact, Jack!" for Macintosh systems. At the same time, ''Jellyvision'' partnered with ''Berkeley Systems'' to make "You Don't Know Jack", a more adult version of TFJ. Both games were in development simultaneously, but YDKJ released in September 1995, and TFJ released in April 1996.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20071009021543/http://www.jellyvision.com/about/TimeLine.swf</ref>


TFJ first released with around 25 books under its belt.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19990128191842/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/somefacts.html</ref> In 1999, there were around 300 books covered. Then, ''Follett Software Company'' gave the distribution rights to ''Tom Snyder Productions'' at January 29th 1999.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990208010526/http://tfj.fsc.follett.com:80/ https://web.archive.org/web/19990208010526/http://tfj.fsc.follett.com]</ref> After the change of distribution rights, the title got changed to "That's a Fact, Jack! Read", and the game got a release on Windows systems, as it used to be only available for Macintosh systems.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20001028103728/http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?PS=TFJTFJ</ref> ''Tom Snyder Productions'' covered 150-300 more books afterwards.
TFJ first released with around 25 books under its belt.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19990128191842/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/somefacts.html</ref> Later down the line, ''Follett Software Company'' gave the distribution rights to ''Tom Snyder Productions'' at January 29th 1999,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990208010526/http://tfj.fsc.follett.com:80/ https://web.archive.org/web/19990208010526/http://tfj.fsc.follett.com]</ref> after around 300-450 books were covered. After the change of distribution rights, the title got changed to "That's a Fact, Jack! Read", the game got releases on Windows systems,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20001028103728/http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?PS=TFJTFJ</ref> and the CDs were republished with ''Tom Snyder Productions''' logo and ''Jellyvision's'' logo. The CDs also started getting 10 books covered per CD instead of just 5. There were plans for ''Tom Snyder Productions'' to make 100 more titles, but that never happened.


==Information==
==Information==
Currently, all 45-60 titles are lost. The amount varies between sources and it's unknown if there is more or if there was going to be more.
Currently, all 45-60 titles are lost. The only things that remain of the game itself are [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.jellyvision.com/showroom/tfj/* these screenshots] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmmXA0-BL4A this demo video] which was taken from [https://web.archive.org/web/20071009142619/http://www.jellyvision.com/showroom/tfj/pages/TFJController.swf this flash file.] There are also 2 discs out of 60 that have images online.
 
The only things that remain of the game itself are [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.jellyvision.com/showroom/tfj/* these screenshots] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmmXA0-BL4A this demo video] which was taken from [https://web.archive.org/web/20071009142619/http://www.jellyvision.com/showroom/tfj/pages/TFJController.swf this flash file.] There are also 2 discs out of 60 that have images online.


Some title names are different depending on the source (refer to [https://web.archive.org/web/20030506094030/http://www.currentworksinc.com:80/Titles6-8.pdf CurrentWorkSinc (archived)] and [https://search.worldcat.org/search?q=+That%27s+a+fact+Jack&author=Tom+Snyder+Productions&limit=10&offset=1 WorldCat]) as well as the amount of books and which books were used. As such, there isn't a fully reliable list out there. Use the links provided to make your own list. Some links in WorldCat can have possible libraries listed that could have the discs. For example, [https://search.worldcat.org/title/49323842 this disc] and [https://search.worldcat.org/title/53983555 this disc.]
Some title names are different depending on the source (refer to [https://web.archive.org/web/20030506094030/http://www.currentworksinc.com:80/Titles6-8.pdf CurrentWorkSinc (archived)] and [https://search.worldcat.org/search?q=+That%27s+a+fact+Jack&author=Tom+Snyder+Productions&limit=10&offset=1 WorldCat]) as well as the amount of books and which books were used. As such, there isn't a fully reliable list out there. Use the links provided to make your own list. Some links in WorldCat can have possible libraries listed that could have the discs. For example, [https://search.worldcat.org/title/49323842 this disc] and [https://search.worldcat.org/title/53983555 this disc.]
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== External Links ==
==External Links==


* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010302170344/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/index.htm Jellyvision's TFJ page (archived)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010302170344/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/index.htm Jellyvision's TFJ page (archived)]
* [https://jackboxgames.fandom.com/wiki/That's_a_Fact,_Jack! TFJ page on Jackbox Fandom Wiki]
*[https://jackboxgames.fandom.com/wiki/That's_a_Fact,_Jack! TFJ page on Jackbox Fandom Wiki]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rk2N4bRSRA&t=3690s Modern Jackbox Games talking about TFJ]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rk2N4bRSRA&t=3690s Modern Jackbox Games talking about TFJ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010430080256/http://www.sidekeys.com:80/jack.htm SideKeys promoting TFJ (archived)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010430080256/http://www.sidekeys.com:80/jack.htm SideKeys promoting TFJ (archived)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030506094030/http://www.currentworksinc.com:80/Titles6-8.pdf CurrentWorkSinc showcasing TFJ (archived)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030506094030/http://www.currentworksinc.com:80/Titles6-8.pdf CurrentWorkSinc showcasing TFJ (archived)]
* [https://hellyeahydkj.tumblr.com/tagged/TFJ More sources and information (Special thanks to Highlighter Garrick and Tere-Zander)]
*[https://hellyeahydkj.tumblr.com/tagged/TFJ More sources and information (Special thanks to Highlighter Garrick and Tere-Zander)]


== References ==
==References==
<references />
<references />


[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Lost video games]]

Revision as of 15:31, 24 March 2024

TFJLogo.png

The game's logo.

Status: Lost


That's a Fact, Jack!, also known as That's a Fact, Jack! Read and TFJ, is a 1990s interactive edutainment CD-ROM game made for grades 3-10. The game takes 5-10[1] school books and turns them into game-show styled questions to test the students' reading and thinking skills. TFJ also has a question type called "Use It or Lose It" which is basically a true-or-false question.[2]

This game is accompanied by a host called Jack Patterson (acted and voiced by Patrick Heupel)[3] who talks in a way that makes him seem like he's really there. The game was a fan favourite among students and teachers[4] and won awards in its time, but that isn't to say it didn't have any flaws.[5] There are currently 45-60 different CD-ROM titles released from 1996 to 1999[6].

History

In 1989, Harry Gottlieb founded Learn Television, an educational learning company. Learn Television was first known for releasing the 1991 movie "The Mind's Treasure Chest". In 1994, Gottlieb also founded the company Jellyvision, a video game development company.

Learn Television partnered with Follett Software Company to create "That's a Fact, Jack!" for Macintosh systems. At the same time, Jellyvision partnered with Berkeley Systems to make "You Don't Know Jack", a more adult version of TFJ. Both games were in development simultaneously, but YDKJ released in September 1995, and TFJ released in April 1996.[7]

TFJ first released with around 25 books under its belt.[8] Later down the line, Follett Software Company gave the distribution rights to Tom Snyder Productions at January 29th 1999,[9] after around 300-450 books were covered. After the change of distribution rights, the title got changed to "That's a Fact, Jack! Read", the game got releases on Windows systems,[10] and the CDs were republished with Tom Snyder Productions' logo and Jellyvision's logo. The CDs also started getting 10 books covered per CD instead of just 5. There were plans for Tom Snyder Productions to make 100 more titles, but that never happened.

Information

Currently, all 45-60 titles are lost. The only things that remain of the game itself are these screenshots and this demo video which was taken from this flash file. There are also 2 discs out of 60 that have images online.

Some title names are different depending on the source (refer to CurrentWorkSinc (archived) and WorldCat) as well as the amount of books and which books were used. As such, there isn't a fully reliable list out there. Use the links provided to make your own list. Some links in WorldCat can have possible libraries listed that could have the discs. For example, this disc and this disc.

Gallery

  • TFJ Read logo

    TFJ Read logo

  • Promotional TFJ image

    Promotional TFJ image

  • Unnamed TFJ CD taken from here

    Unnamed TFJ CD taken from here

  • TFJ Disc 31: Jewish Experiences in World War II taken from here

    TFJ Disc 31: Jewish Experiences in World War II taken from here

  • TFJ Screenshot 1 (ClassQuest.jpg)

    TFJ Screenshot 1 (ClassQuest.jpg)

  • TFJ Screenshot 2 (Hypo1.jpg)

    TFJ Screenshot 2 (Hypo1.jpg)

  • TFJ Screenshot 3 (IndivGame.jpg)

    TFJ Screenshot 3 (IndivGame.jpg)

  • TFJ Screenshot 4 (Infer1.jpg)

    TFJ Screenshot 4 (Infer1.jpg)

  • TFJ Screenshot 5 (Literal1.jpg)

    TFJ Screenshot 5 (Literal1.jpg)

  • TFJ Screenshot 6 (TeamQuest.jpg)

    TFJ Screenshot 6 (TeamQuest.jpg)

  • TFJ Screenshot 7 (UseIt1.jpg)

    TFJ Screenshot 7 (UseIt1.jpg)

  • TFJ Student Report (StudentReport.jpg)

    TFJ Student Report (StudentReport.jpg)

TFJ gameplay demo video.

External Links

References

  1. ↑ Sources vary on whether or not it was 5 books or 10 books. Likely it was 5 books per CD when Follett had the distribution rights, and then it moved to 10 books when Tom Snyder took rights.
  2. ↑ https://www.macworld.com/article/158586/16reviewsjack.html
  3. ↑ Jack Patterson is taken from the 1991 movie "The Mind's Treasure Chest" who was credited in the movie as Patrick Heupel.
  4. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19990128203023/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/teachers.html
  5. ↑ https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF02771937.pdf
  6. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19991103034118/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/titles.html
  7. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20071009021543/http://www.jellyvision.com/about/TimeLine.swf
  8. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19990128191842/http://www.jellyvision.com/stuff/tfj/somefacts.html
  9. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19990208010526/http://tfj.fsc.follett.com
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20001028103728/http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?PS=TFJTFJ
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