Wikipedia

Aspyr

Aspyr Media, Inc.(pronounced "aspire") is an Americanvideo game developerandpublisherfounded by Michael Rogers and Ted Staloch inAustin, Texas.Originally founded to bring top gaming titles tomacOS,[1]the company, since 2005, has become a publisher and developer of entertainment for multiple gaming platforms.[2]

Aspyr Media, Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedSeptember 27, 1996;28 years ago(1996-09-27)
Founders
  • Michael Rogers
  • Ted Staloch
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
,
US
Key people
  • Michael Rogers (co-CEO)
  • Ted Staloch (co-CEO)
ProductsList of games ported by Aspyr
Parent
SubsidiariesBeamdog
Websiteaspyr

Aspyr was acquired byEmbracer Groupin February 2021. Initially placed within Embracer'sSaber Interactivedivision, Aspyr later became a direct subsidiary of Embracer after Saber was divested in March 2024.[3][4]

History

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In 1996, Aspyr Media, Inc., was established by Michael Rogers and Ted Staloch[5]in Austin, Texas. Staloch, who had a background in sales and marketing and Rogers, who worked with TechWorks, noticed that there was a lack of gaming titles available to Mac owners and set out to change it.[1]According to Rogers, when naming the company, they “wanted something meaning ‘to aspire and be great’” and also “memorable and unique.” Aspyr made its name specializing inportingvideo games fromMicrosoft WindowstomacOS.[6]

By 2003, they owned 60 percent of the Mac entertainment market.[7]In 2005, Aspyr partnered withAlex SeropianofWideload Gamesand released their first originally-published AAA game,Stubbs The Zombie,to Mac OS, Windows and Xbox.[8]In 2015, Aspyr Media expanded their platform catalog again by releasing an iOS port ofStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic[9]and later,Bioware'sclassic-action RPG,Jade Empire- a title they extended toAndroidas well.[10]In 2015, Aspyr updatedStar Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords[11](native widescreen resolutions up to 5K,Steam Workshop,support for controllers, 57[12]achievements, etc.) and also ported it to macOS and Linux. In 2015, Aspyr developed and publishedFahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered,a remaster ofthe 2005 gamedeveloped byQuantic Dream,to a worldwide audience with enhanced game features, updated visuals and controls, as well as content that was censored in the original North American release.[13]

Aspyr has published over 190 games and have added 90 plus members to their team since 1996.[2]In February 2021, Aspyr was acquired byEmbracer Group.The company was added as a studio under theSaber Interactivelabel within Embracer.[14]In September 2021, it was announced that Aspyr was developing aremakeofKnights of the Old RepublicforMicrosoft WindowsandPlayStation 5as atimed exclusive.[15][16][17]In August 2022, Embracer announced that Aspyr is no longer working on the game and development has been moved to another studio.[18]

Aspyr publishedMythForce,the first game designed by Canadian studioBeamdog.[19]The day after they announced this, on April 13, 2022, Embracer Group acquired Beamdog and placed it as a subsidiary of Aspyr.[20]

In 2024, Aspyr developed and published—alongside sister companyCrystal Dynamics—a remastered collection of the original threeTomb Raidergames developed byCore Design,titledTomb Raider I–III Remastered.[21]It was released on February 14, onValentine's Day,to coincide with main protagonistLara Croft's canonical birthday. The same year, Aspyr released ports of the first two originalStar Wars: Battlefrontgames underStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collectionon March 14, 2024.[22]

In March 2024, Embracer sold Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, alongside several other studios. Aspyr was not included in the deal and remains under Embracer.[23]

Games

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Main article:List of games ported by Aspyr

Currently, Aspyr's catalog includes popular games such asSid Meier's Civilization VI,developed in 2018 on Mac, Linux, iOS and Nintendo Switch,[24]Torn,[25]the re-releases of severalLucasfilm Games(LucasArts) titles,[26][22]andTomb Raider I–III Remastered.[21]

References

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  1. ^abSavlov, Marc (November 19, 2004)."Controlling Their Own Destiny".austinchronicle.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  2. ^ab"Aspyr Media".Aspyr Media.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  3. ^"Embracer Group acquires Aspyr Media for up to $450 million".VentureBeat.February 3, 2021.RetrievedJune 30,2021.
  4. ^"Saber Interactive to split from Embracer Group [Update]".Gematsu.March 14, 2024.RetrievedMarch 15,2024.
  5. ^Potter, Aaron (August 2, 2022)."The studio answering the industry's port of call".Wireframe magazine.RetrievedSeptember 22,2022.
  6. ^Carr, Jon (August 29, 2013)."MacGameStore Feature: Aspyr Media Interview with Michael Rogers".macgamestore.Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2021.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  7. ^Bungie Founder Finds Publisher - IGN,August 31, 2004,retrievedOctober 12,2019
  8. ^"Aspyr ships Stubbs the Zombie for Mac".Macworld.November 23, 2005.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  9. ^"Use The Force - And A Controller - With KOTOR For iOS, Now On Sale".Cult of Mac.March 6, 2014.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  10. ^"BioWare Action RPG Jade Empire Now Available On iOS".Kotaku.October 6, 2016.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  11. ^"Steam:: STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II: The Sith Lords™:: Introducing and updated KOTOR II for Mac, Linux, and Windows!".Steam.July 21, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 10,2021.
  12. ^"Steam Community:: STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II: The Sith Lords™:: Achievements".
  13. ^"Aspyr Announces Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered Available Now".businesswire.January 29, 2015.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  14. ^Romano, Sal (February 2, 2021)."Embracer Group to acquire Aspyr Media".Gematsu.RetrievedFebruary 2,2021.
  15. ^"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Strikes Back with New Remake".StarWars.September 9, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 10,2021.
  16. ^"Knights of the Old Republic returns with remake that is a timed exclusive to PS5".VentureBeat.September 9, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 10,2021.
  17. ^Gartenberg, Chaim (September 9, 2021)."Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is getting a remake for the PS5".The Verge.RetrievedSeptember 10,2021.
  18. ^Kennedy, Victoria (August 18, 2022)."Embracer confirms AAA project has switched studios, following report of KOTOR trouble".Eurogamer.Gamer Network.RetrievedAugust 18,2022.
  19. ^Romano, Sal (July 11, 2023)."MythForcelaunches September 12 ".Gematsu.RetrievedSeptember 12,2023.
  20. ^Ivan, Tom (April 13, 2022)."Knights of the Old Republic remake studio Aspyr has acquired Beamdog".Video Games Chronicle.RetrievedApril 13,2022.
  21. ^ab"Aspyr & Crystal Dynamics Reveal Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft, Coming to Pc & Consoles Feb. 14, 2024 – Crystal Dynamics".September 14, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 19,2024.
  22. ^ab"Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection Launch Is a Disaster – IGN".March 14, 2024.RetrievedMarch 14,2024.
  23. ^Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 14, 2024)."Saber Interactive Splits From Embracer, Taking 38 Video Game Projects With It".IGN.RetrievedMarch 15,2024.
  24. ^"Sid Meier's Civilization® VI Coming to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on November 22, 2019".businesswire.September 24, 2019.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  25. ^Hayden, Scott (August 31, 2018)."'Torn' Review: Masterful 'Black Mirror' Style Storytelling Tarnished by Repetitive Puzzles ".Road to VR.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  26. ^"Aspyr spreads beyond Mac with classic Star Wars game for the Switch and PS4".VentureBeat.September 24, 2019.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
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