I think it was a good introduction to logic gates, and I do remember having fun plopping down random gates to "see what would happen". You could sandbox/gamify it by imaging what the inputs were (a pressure plate, light sensor, etc) and what the outputs were (drive forwards, shoot laser, etc).
Huh, we had Make-A-Chip, Survival and Scrabble, but not the other 3 titles. I wonder if we got them as a 3-pack with the Speccy. Shame I can't ask my dad.
@@marasmusine the boxed 6 pack typically had Make a chip, survival and scrabble with a more random collection of single cassettes. I don’t recall a 3 pack, but knowing some retailers maybe they kept some of the other titles to sell separately!
@@alanreader4815 I did enjoy Gauntlet on the ST/Amiga - sadly never really got into elite - I do have a boxed version of it, but no Lens-Lock (although happy to play a copy of it as I do own it!
As a youngster in the eighties (and a penniless one), I had access to a Speccy and I always thought that Make a Chip was some sophisticated software that would somehow make it possible to design a microchip, but I could never justify buying it. Even until the last 6 or 7 years, I saw this in a CEX shop and wondered about it. Turns out it was all wank.
I bought that make-a-chip product and had fun with it.
Nice, I wasn't sure if it was something that anyone bought as it it was given away to so many.
I think it was a good introduction to logic gates, and I do remember having fun plopping down random gates to "see what would happen". You could sandbox/gamify it by imaging what the inputs were (a pressure plate, light sensor, etc) and what the outputs were (drive forwards, shoot laser, etc).
Huh, we had Make-A-Chip, Survival and Scrabble, but not the other 3 titles. I wonder if we got them as a 3-pack with the Speccy. Shame I can't ask my dad.
It’s one of those things I probably could appreciate more these days than back in the 80’s
@@marasmusine the boxed 6 pack typically had Make a chip, survival and scrabble with a more random collection of single cassettes. I don’t recall a 3 pack, but knowing some retailers maybe they kept some of the other titles to sell separately!
i did and ended up a Hardware engineer. i was 10 when i brought the computer with this on it. in 1984.
Great to hear this - I probably wasted too much time on games rather than learning.
@@stevesretroloft Gauntlet was my favourite Game and Elite.
@@alanreader4815 I did enjoy Gauntlet on the ST/Amiga - sadly never really got into elite - I do have a boxed version of it, but no Lens-Lock (although happy to play a copy of it as I do own it!
Genuine sense of bitterness at 01:50.
Indeed, though I can’t complain too much - I’ve done ok out my IT career.
This 'game' changed me. Not much. But enough. ;)
Nice that it possibly helped someone!
As a youngster in the eighties (and a penniless one), I had access to a Speccy and I always thought that Make a Chip was some sophisticated software that would somehow make it possible to design a microchip, but I could never justify buying it. Even until the last 6 or 7 years, I saw this in a CEX shop and wondered about it. Turns out it was all wank.
Some of the educational software could've been a few pages in a book to be honest. That said, some got a bit of value out of the titles.
Bought Make A Chip as part of a Pack which included Scrabble VU 3D and Survival. Never got to make a successful chip though.
Sounds like part of the software six pack. It wouldn't surprise me if retailers saw an opportunity to sell the titles rather than giving them away.
i had it free with my 48k speccy +
I didn't :( - I did get a software 6 pack from a friend for a few quid at the time.
Nand 'n Nor is rip-off periperi chicken takeaway.
I'll have a do a search for that one!!
@@stevesretroloft They make chips too. 🍟