Cyberchase - The September 2005 promotion content
In September of 2005, Cyberchase was getting close to releasing a sequence of five episodes. These were:
Season 4 Episode 6: A Change of Art (was set to originally air on October 3rd, 2005)
Season 4 Episode 7: The Case of the Missing Memory (was set to originally air on October 4th, 2005)
Season 4 Episode 8: A Crinkle in Time (was set to originally air on October 5th, 2005)
Season 4 Episode 9: A Broom of One's Own (was set to originally air on October 6th, 2005)
Season 4 Episode 10: A Tikiville Turkey Day (was set to originally air on October 7th, 2005)
They decided to make a special section of the site promoting these episodes. It was very much in the style of the "What's Hacker's Secret???" Promotion that they used for the Transformatron Arc. I have posts on that.
part 1: https://www.tumblr.com/vikenticomeshome/745698917707071488/alright-cast-your-mind-back-to-watching?source=share
part 2: https://www.tumblr.com/vikenticomeshome/745702051476013056/the-whats-hackers-secret-content-part?source=share
part 3: https://www.tumblr.com/vikenticomeshome/745758203615264768/the-whats-hackers-secret-content-part-3-the?source=share
I've submitted my archive of the September 2005 promotional content to the Flashpoint Project for preservation. So, that will be the best way to experience it again. However, I can at least show screenshots and talk about it here. I will warn you that I don't think its as good as the earlier Transformatron arc promotion.
Before we open the promotional section of the site, let's see how this section was promoted on the Cyberchase homepage of the time. Here is a capture from Septmber 30th showing that we are 4 days away from the first of the new episodes.
That "New Shows!" panel was a gif. I went and grabbed it, in all of its tiny glory. I recognize the screenshots as being from the first three of the episodes that were being promoted. I'm not sure why they didn't include the other two.
When we get into the promotion section, we start off on this page with the statues that The hacker made for the episode "A Change of Art". Those purple dots are important, as anyone who has seen the episode knows.
Unfortunately, that video preview is from the era when Cyberchase (and PBS as a while) used RealPlayer. The original streaming source was not able to be archived, and it is now lost. I don't know if this was web-exclusive, or if it would have aired on TV.
The "Play Hacker's Secret Word Game" is essentially the same game that they used with the "What's Hacker's Secret???" promotion. However, they advertise that it used different words this time that were relevant to this set of episodes.
I do think that some of their word choices were a bit weak.
Good to know that The Hacker is going to have green skin in these episodes, though. One weird thing I noticed when archiving this version of the game is that the game requested some MP3 files for different voice-lines depending on whether you won or lost. However, I couldn't find archives of those files. I had found the equivalent files from the version of the game that was used for the "What's Hacker's Secret???" promotion. I wonder if they accidentally released this version with those files missing.
From there, we can move on to the "New Episodes Coming!" link, where we get a synopsis for each of the episodes. Spoiler alert for 20 year old Cyberchase episodes, I suppose.
A Change of Art: Statues of Hacker are popping up all across Cyberspace. It's his latest scheme - art therapy! Heartbroken after losing to the kids yet again, Hacker throws himself into sculpture and gives his work away. Problem is, whenever one turns up, the power goes off. The CyberSquad investigates to see what;s causing these changes. Is Hacker back to his old tricks? Or has he finally had a change of heart? And what's with the sparkly purple dots on the sculptures?
The Case of the Missing Memory: Under the guise of a peach mission, Wicked arrives at Control Central with a handful of bad guys. But someone's up to no good, and steals Motherboard's precious Memory Integrator. Whodunit? Where is it?? And what does it look like??? Digit and the kids must figure out what they know - what they don't know - and what they need to know. Can they do it all before Motherboard's memory is lost forever?
A Crinkle in Time: Digit and the kids go on a rescue mission to save Slider, searching for their friend all over a mysterious cybersite called Ticktockia. But it's all a big trick by Hacker, and Slider's not even there! And if the CyberSquad doesn't leave soon, they'll be stuck forever. Can they learn enough about gears to escape before the clock strikes 9? Only time will tell.
A Broom of One's Own: When Wicked puts the CyberSquad Seal of Approval on her new "Wickedly Brooms," it's up to Matt, Jackie, Inez, and Digit to make sure the broom are as good as Wicked claims. They try them out, figuring out their speed - how far the different brooms go in a given amount of time. The brooms pass the test - but Wicked doesn't. They must race to Control Central and save Motherboard before Wicked's scheme succeeds! And where's Hacker? And what will he do when he finds out Wicked is trying to take over his turf?
A Tikiville Turkey Day: Hacker steals the legendary Egg of Benedicta - and the lush landscape of Tikiville wilts and turns brown. The spirit of the Tikians is crushed and Creech is in big trouble unless the CyberSquad can help! When their attempt to recover the Egg from Hacker fails, they hatch a new plan to replace the Egg. By studying patterns in nature, can they recreate the nest and restore peace and harmony to Tikiville?
I won't bother discussing the coloring pages, as they aren't actually specific to this promotion. I don't know if that section was new, or if they just used it to fill space. The main attraction is Cyberspace News Issue #2. We got the first issue during the "What's Hacker's Secret???" promotion.
The Hacker Talks!
Sam Vander Rom's EXCLUSIVE Interview
Sam: Hacker, what's woth --
Hacker: That's THE Hacker to you, Vandy!
Sam: May I call you "The"?
Hacker: No.
Sam: OK, The Hacker, what's with the new look? Is this another dastardly disguise?
Hacker: No, Vandy, I've turned over a new leaf. I'm a new borg. I'm devoting myself to my art now.
Sam: Really? No more causing chaos? No more trying to take control of Cyberspace?
Hacker: I am a simple sculptor now. An artiste.
Sam: What do you make?
Hacker: Incredible works of art that are gorgeous to behold.
Sam: Yes, but what do they look like?
Hacker: That's for me to know and you to find out! An artiste does not unveil his work until the time is right.
Sam: So you won't tell me.
Hacker: I've said too much already. Just know that I will be donating my art to the people of Cyberspace. All will benefit from my generosity.
Sam: Well, now I've heard it all. Hacker an artist? No more trying to take control of Cyberspace? I'll believe it when I see it!
Wicked's Big Surprise
by Erica Ram
What can't this glamour girl from Happily Ever After do? The Wicked Witch, known to friends and foes alike as "Wicked," will soon be launching a secret new business. While she won't say what it is, Wicked does say "It's just so me! And it's full of surprises for you know who!" Does she mean Motherbaord and the CyberSquad? Or maybe her ex-fiance Hacker? As usual, Wicked leaves this reporter wondering what she's up to.
Situation Wanted
Henchman
Obsequious underling seeks new employer. Very discreet. Will work cheap. All interested parties should contact Baskerville.
Baddies Go Good?
Motherboard has invited a delegation of Cyberspace's biggest troublemakers to Control Central to try and work together for the good of Cyberspace. Participants include Wicked Witch, Queenie, Swipe, Mumsie and Baskervill. Hacker was not invited.
Dear Motherboard
Dear Motherboard,
I need help. My mom is mean to me. I want to be the baddest guy in Cyberspace, but she says I have to be home by dinner.
Signed,
Warren
Dear Warren, You need...a new goal! Maybe you can be... nicest guy... in Cyberspace instead.
Signed,
Motherboard
Come Visit Tikiville!
By Creech, The Big Kahuna
A visit to our tropical paradise is a must for anyone who loves lush jungles, friendly people and palm trees! Legend says our gorgeous green landscape comes from the beautiful Egg of Benedicta, laid by the Tiki Bird long ago. As long as the egg is safe, so is Tikiville. You can even visit the Egg in its nest near our village. All who come to Tikiville are welcome... except of course Hacker.
Ms. Fileshare's
Book of the Month
Mystery lovers everywhere will want to read The Howl of the Hydra by Cylock Homes. It's a fascinating story by the esteemed sleuth.
Ticktockia Timepieces
Father Time is proud to announce that clocks and watches from Ticktockia Timepieces are now available across Cyberspace. No need to risk that pesky "Crinkle in Time" at the entrance to Ticktockia. At Ticktockia Timepieces, we work for you. Our time is your time!
That's the end of the article, and it is also the end of the promotional material.
So, what did I think of it? This does feel like them wanting to re-use the formula from the "What's Hacker's Secret???" promotion. I enjoyed reading through this promotion, but its not as cool as the other one. That one did have Erica Ram's story on Slider, "The Heartbreak Kid", of course.
We do get hints at all five of those upcoming episodes. The Hacker is taking up art therapy. Wicked has her line of brooms (and a bizarre plan to use them to take over Cyberspace). A few villains have been invited to Control Central for a peace summit. Hopefully nothing important gets stolen while they are there. We hear about Ticktockia, and about how it has a "Crinkle in Time" ready to swallow the children. We learn about the Egg of Benedicta, and how plant life in Tikiville will die if some-Hacker removes it.
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self-love time! talk about which ones of YOUR creations (edits, artworks, fanfics) you like the most then send to other creators to do the same <333
AAHH SPIN HELLO ANGEL!! OK- i will be talking about my beloved blorbo Viridian !! I want to talk about how she has grown over the past year- seeing as she is one of my creations!! ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝ heads up this might be a long read because i have a lot to say (and lots of screenshots aaah)
So- I've had Viridian as an OC since July last year. She has gone through a new small chnages- but every version of her I love with all my heart- she is so special to me (an explination to one of the reasons why can be found here)
OK LETS START WITH VANILLA VIRIDIAN (from my blind run of cp2077 which lasted from July to septmber 2022) - vanilla viridian looks very similar to my 2071 viridian (minus the arasaka cyberarm)- this version of her had No mods (because I didnt know how to mod). At this time I Couldn’t really make out her vibe- all i knew was she loved jackie and had hair kinda like mine <3 - the vanilla run was more- more for me to just sit and play cyberpunk- and cry because i went in blind not knowing what would happen (ugh uhm komepki plaza I AM LOOKING AT YOU) - this version of viridian was played / used before transmog was a thing in cp2077- so i was always like "GOS HOW DO I DRESS HER?!?!?" and she looked... interesting at times XD
After my vanilla run- I though "oh hey... what If i gave modding a go? 2022 is all about trying now and scary things after all!!".. so I shopped around for a basic mod and ended up trying out this pride eyeshadow mod - took me... god a few hours and lots of screaming at my pc to get it working (because i had no idea the main file had to be unzipped- hey @genocidalfetus - i am forver greatful for your help with that!!) after getting that one (1) mod installed- i felt like i could fight god and went ham installing mods (then the gamer gods humbled me when i deleted a main game file by mistake and it took 8 hours for my game to re install) BUT WE MOVE- I started to play around with more mods- realised I wanted Viridian to have her arasaka cyberarm so I managed to get that- then started to play around with hairstyles- viridian had a really shirt haircut for like-- ages!! --- and and i found a mod for jackie's leather bomber which made me SO HAPPY AAAHH
This was around october/november 2022- kinda around the time i was shyly approaching tumblr and posting blorbo stuff. But then the 1.61 patch dropped and i yelled because all my mods had to be re installed - but again we move - we learn and grow!
In the december of 2022 I came up with my first ever AU- the devil canon (which is an AU where Viridian gose back to arasaka near the end of her life- a very angsty AU)
At the start of 2023 I played around with more outfits and hairstyles (finally figured out what shair i'd like viridian to have canonically) - learnt about model swapping too! also started to actually flesh out her alter ego "arasaka's red rabbit" a brutal netrunner !! As my confidence with modding has grown- I've tried many fun outfits for her !! some of my fave looks can be found here, here , here and here (others are below!)
And now we are at the present- May 2023!! Viridian now has a solid design- I'm still having fun making new outfits for her- trying out new things- new poses- new ways to light my work!! Viridian also now exists in a few other universes / games such as The sims 4 or dragon age inquisition! (was inspired by my dear friend @halsin !!)
Recently- like as in- yesterday I made a very fun shoot where I dressed Viridian in summery clothes/swimwear and photoed her at a pool with Jackie!! One of my fave sets i've made so far this year- very fun to work on!!
well ok- if you've gotten to this point you're a champ!! I know i do rammble a lot about my ocs- but Viridian means a lot to me- It was very fun traulling through my tumblr and old chat feeds with friends to find stuff!! I am forver growing and learning when it comes to creating- I have fun and- yknow dont mind if stuff looks a bit janky or off at times!!
Thank you for coming to my TED talk <3 thank you for being such lovely humans - for all the hype and support- i love you all a lot and can't wait to see where I go next on my little modding and photography adventure !!
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