Spinnaker Software Corporation

An American software developer and publisher known for early educational video games like KinderComp, Facemaker, and Alphabet Zoo.

Educational

Adventure

Puzzle

Strategy

Founded

1982

Acquired

1994

HQ

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Parent

The Learning Company

Known for

Educational / Adventure / Simulation

14

Games

1982–1992

Years

4

Platforms

$19.97

Ø CIB

-35.3%

24M change

About

Spinnaker Software Corporation was a pioneer in the early childhood educational software market during the 1980s. The developer created interactive learning titles such as KinderComp, Facemaker, Kids on Keys, and Alphabet Zoo. They continued their focus on creative and educational software into the next decade with titles like Paint School II.

Founded in Boston, Massachusetts, by C. David Seuss and William Bowman, the company targeted the rapidly growing home computer market, publishing titles for platforms such as the Apple II, Commodore 64, and Atari 8-bit family.

The developer's early catalog established a template for early childhood computer interaction. Released in 1982, KinderComp introduced toddlers to the keyboard through simple matching and drawing activities. This was followed by Facemaker (1983), which allowed children to assemble animated faces and program their expressions, a concept that saw continued success with its 1984 release on additional platforms. To foster early literacy and typing skills, the company published Kids on Keys (1983) and Alphabet Zoo (1983), both of which combined rudimentary game mechanics with letter and word recognition.

As hardware capabilities advanced, the developer transitioned to more sophisticated graphical interfaces, culminating in creativity tools like Paint School II (1990). Beyond its core educational lineup, the company expanded into text adventures and utility software before eventually being acquired by SoftKey in 1994.