Indies For Hire: machina cogitans


machina cogitans in a nutshell:

“We, Manuel Manhard and Markus Kohle, are a team of software and game developers with roots in the humanities, especially in history and literary studies. To extend our didactic knowledge base, we are working together closely with an e-learning specialist. For these reasons we are exceptionally qualified for working on games for museums, education, infotainment, and games treating historical or literary topics.”


Screenshots of games machina cogitans worked on:


machina cogitans’ skill set:

“We combine game development skills with university degrees in history, literary studies, and teaching, along with professional experience in research and lecturing. That means we can design and create games for various educational purposes, guaranteeing to appropriately convey the subject matter.

On top of that, we are well-versed at handling complex data, due to our work on research databases, projects for the cabling industry, and the development of system-heavy simulation games. We are proficient in C# and Java, Unity, pixel art, Monty Python-style animations, and vector graphics. But we also have some experience with other languages and tools like Blender and FMOD.

We are very experienced in understanding and modifying several years old code with little to no explanation. Therefore it is no big deal for us to work on and complete programs others have started. We gladly offer our assistance at any point of your project.”


Some projects machina cogitans worked or work on:

  • “Printing Revolutions”, in development, though a prototype could be seen at an exhibition in the Germanischen Nationalmuseum Nuremberg – concept, content and coding
  • “Moderate Cuddlefish”, developed in cooperation with the German Federal Agency for Civic Education, released 2017 – content production, writing, simulation and administration
  • “Tooth & Tail”, released 2017 by Pocketwatch Games – development of updates (e.g. balancing, fixes, new features) and community management since summer 2019
  • “Maximilians Ehrenpforte” / “Triumphal Arch of Maximilian I”, developed for an exhibition in the Maximilian Museum Augsburg – project management, customer advice, concept, writing, coding and installation
  • an interactive map of Augsburg in the 16th century , developed for an exhibition in the Maximilian Museum Augsburg – project management, customer advice, concept, writing, coding and installation
  • “The Battle for Wesnoth”, first released in 2003, but still gets regular updates – art contributions

machina cogitans’ pricing model:

“We are a team of two, ready for all kinds of jobs (one or both of us), only excluding payment models that generally harm the industry (“for exposure”, “based on revenue” etc.).”


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