The Incredible Machine
| Company type | Video game franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Predecessor | Jeff Tunnell Productions |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Kevin Ryan |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Puzzle video games |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company (since acquisition via Playdom) |
The Incredible Machine (commonly abbreviated as TIM) is a puzzle video game franchise centered on assembling elaborate Rube Goldberg-style contraptions. The series was initially conceived and programmed by Kevin Ryan under the production of Jeff Tunnell at Jeff Tunnell Productions. It was published by Dynamix and later by Sierra Entertainment. The original creative team developed the games between 1993 and 1995, while subsequent releases in 2000–2001 were created by different designers. In October 2009, PushButton Labs—established by Jeff Tunnell—acquired the entire franchise and its intellectual property. PushButton Labs was later bought by Playdom, a Disney Interactive subsidiary, transferring ownership to The Walt Disney Company.
Jeff Tunnell went on to create Contraption Maker, a spiritual successor to The Incredible Machine, through his company Spotkin Games. Launched in July 2014 on Steam for Windows and OS X platforms, this title involved many original developers from the TIM series.
Gameplay
Players are tasked with building complex Rube Goldberg machines by utilizing various components to achieve straightforward objectives such as "place the ball inside a box" or "activate a mixer." The available items include ropes, pulleys, generators, bowling balls, animals like mice attracted to cheese, and human figures, each exhibiting unique interactive properties. Certain objects within levels are fixed and immovable; players must strategically arrange the movable elements around these to solve puzzles. Additionally, a "freeform" mode offers unlimited experimentation and the ability to design custom puzzles.
The games simulate realistic physical interactions and environmental factors such as gravity and air pressure. The physics engine is fully deterministic, meaning it does not rely on random number generation, ensuring that identical machine setups consistently produce the same results.
Titles
The franchise consists of four main entries plus a "Toon" themed spin-off, along with several iterations of the earliest titles:
- The Incredible Machine (1993, DOS/3DO)
- The Even More Incredible Machine (1993, DOS/Windows, Macintosh)
- Sid & Al's Incredible Toons (1993, DOS)
- The Incredible Machine 2 (1994, DOS/Windows, Macintosh)
- The Incredible Machine Version 3.0 (1995, Windows/Macintosh)
- The Incredible Toon Machine (1994, Windows, Macintosh)
- Arthur to Astaroth no Nazomakaimura: Incredible Toons (1996, PlayStation/Sega Saturn)
- Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions (2000, Windows/Macintosh)
- The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions (2001, Windows/Macintosh/Palm OS)
- The Incredible Machine (2011, Apple iPad)
In 2009, GOG.com released The Incredible Machine Mega Pack, a Windows collection that bundled The Even More Incredible Machine, Version 3.0, Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions, and Even More Contraptions.
The Incredible Machine and Even More Incredible Machine
Originally intended for release on the Commodore 64 by Electronic Arts in 1984, development was later transferred to Dynamix with production commencing in early 1993. Kevin Ryan completed programming The Incredible Machine in nine months on an estimated budget of US$36,000. The follow-up title, The Even More Incredible Machine, nearly doubled the content of its predecessor by offering approximately 160 levels and introducing additional components.
The Incredible Machine 2 and Version 3.0
The Incredible Machine 2 expanded the original with additional levels, a broader selection of parts, a refined user interface, and upgraded graphics and sound. It also introduced a two-player hotseat mode. The "freeform" mode saw significant improvements, enabling users to design fully functional puzzles complete with specific victory criteria. This release represented the most substantial gameplay evolution in the series; subsequent editions primarily consisted of ports featuring enhanced visuals and occasional new puzzles, without adding new components.
Launched in 1995, The Incredible Machine Version 3.0, also referred to as Professor Tim's Incredible Machines, retained the level set from version 2 but improved the interface and incorporated CD-quality music tracks.
Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions and Even More Contraptions
Released in 2000, Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions was a complete 32-bit title for Windows 95, boasting enhanced graphics at an 800x600 resolution. Although it introduced some fresh levels, the majority were carried over from The Incredible Machine 2.
In 2001, Even More Contraptions debuted with "WonSwap," a platform allowing users to exchange custom-designed puzzles. This edition also featured a Palm Pilot adaptation that included exclusive parts and puzzles tailored for smaller displays.
The Incredible Machine Mega Pack
Offered through GOG.com, the Incredible Machine Mega Pack combines several titles: Even More Incredible Machine, The Incredible Machine 3 (which encompasses all levels from version 2), Contraptions, and Even More Contraptions.
The Incredible Machine (2011)
This iteration, released on the iPad in 2011, contains 64 built-in levels along with an additional 45 available via in-app purchases. It utilizes a three-star rating system reminiscent of that used in Cut the Rope.
Reception
In 1994, Neil Harris of Computer Gaming World remarked that The Incredible Machine captivated engineers so thoroughly that it disrupted productivity at a major naval facility.
IGN commended Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions as an exemplary fusion of educational content and entertainment software.
By the year 2000, the franchise had achieved sales exceeding one million copies.
At the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences honored Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions with the "PC Family Game of the Year" D.I.C.E. Award.
Legacy
In 2005, The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions was included as a bonus feature within the Hoyle Puzzle Games compilation.
A mobile adaptation was created by Mobile Interactions Group and published by Vivendi Games Mobile in 2006.
Although an Xbox Live Arcade download version was announced, it was subsequently canceled.
On October 1, 2009, Playdom released The Incredible Machine Mega Pack, which features multiple entries from the series, on GOG.com.
iOS
Disney developed and launched a refreshed edition of The Incredible Machine for iOS, introducing updated artwork, audio elements, new levels, and a redesigned interface. This version premiered at E3 on June 8, 2011, but has since been removed from the App Store.
Contraption Maker
In 2013, Jeff Tunnell, together with original creators Kevin Ryan and Brian Hahn, introduced Contraption Maker under Spotkin, a company established by Tunnell. Positioned as a "spiritual successor" to the Incredible Machine franchise, it features upgraded HD visuals and a sophisticated physics system.
The title boasts more than 200 official puzzles and over 100 components, along with Steam Workshop integration to support player-generated content. It debuted on Steam Early Access on August 28, 2013, receiving six Alpha phase updates that introduced multiplayer functionality, copy-paste capabilities, additional parts, and new puzzles. The Beta version was launched in May 2014, followed by the full 1.0 release in July 2014, officially concluding its Early Access period.