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{{Short description|American video game developer and publisher}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Aspyr Media, Inc.
| logo = Aspyr 2019 logo.svg
| logo_caption = Logo since 2019
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| parent = {{ubl|[[Saber Interactive]] {{nowrap|(2021–2024)}}|[[Embracer Group]] {{nowrap|(2024–present)}}}}
| subsid = [[Beamdog]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1996|09|27}}
| founders = {{ubl|Michael Rogers|Ted Staloch}}
| hq_location_city = [[Austin, Texas]]
| hq_location_country = US
| key_people = {{ubl|Michael Rogers (co-[[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Ted Staloch (co-CEO)}}
| products = [[List of games ported by Aspyr]]
| website = {{URL|aspyr.com}}
}}
'''Aspyr Media, Inc.''' (pronounced "[[wiktionary:aspire#English|aspire]]") is an American [[video game developer]] and [[Video game publisher|publisher]] founded by Michael Rogers and Ted Staloch in [[Austin, Texas]]. Originally founded to port gaming titles to [[macOS]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2004-11-19/238573/|title=Controlling Their Own Destiny|last1=Savlov|first1=Marc|website=www.austinchronicle.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-12|date=November 19, 2004}}</ref> the company, since 2005, has become a publisher and developer of entertainment for multiple gaming platforms.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aspyr.com/|title=Aspyr Media|website=Aspyr Media|language=en|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref>
Aspyr was acquired by [[Embracer Group]] in February 2021. Initially placed within Embracer's [[Saber Interactive]] division, Aspyr later became a direct subsidiary of Embracer after Saber was divested in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-03|title=Embracer Group acquires Aspyr Media for up to $450 million|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/02/02/embracer-group-acquires-aspyr-media-for-up-to-450-million/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-14 |title=Saber Interactive to split from Embracer Group [Update] |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/03/saber-interactive-to-split-from-embracer-group |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
== History ==
In 1996, Aspyr Media, Inc., was established by Michael Rogers and Ted Staloch<ref>{{cite news |last1=Potter |first1=Aaron |title=The studio answering the industry's port of call |url=https://wireframe.raspberrypi.com/articles/answering-the-industrys-port-of-call |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=Wireframe magazine |date=August 2, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />  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 in [[porting]] video games from [[Microsoft Windows]] to [[macOS]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macgamestore.com/features/article-3/Aspyr-Media-Interview-with-Michael-Rogers/|title=MacGameStore Feature: Aspyr Media Interview with Michael Rogers|date=August 29, 2013|first=Jon|last=Carr|website=www.macgamestore.com|language=en-us|access-date=2019-10-12|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208061037/https://www.macgamestore.com/features/article-3/Aspyr-Media-Interview-with-Michael-Rogers|url-status=dead}}</ref>
By 2003, they owned 60 percent of the Mac entertainment market.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bungie Founder Finds Publisher - IGN|date=August 31, 2004 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/31/bungie-founder-finds-publisher|language=en|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref> In 2005, Aspyr partnered with [[Alex Seropian]] of [[Wideload Games]] and released their first originally-published AAA game, ''[[Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse|Stubbs The Zombie]]'', to Mac OS, Windows and Xbox.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1048108/aspyr.html|title=Aspyr ships Stubbs the Zombie for Mac|date=2005-11-23|website=Macworld|language=en|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref> In 2014 they started porting titles to [[Linux]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/04/borderlands-2-heading-to-linux|title=Borderlands 2 Heading To Linux|first=Jenna|last=Pitcher|date=2014-09-04|access-date=2024-10-10|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/civilization-5-linux|title=Science Victory: Civilization 5 Now On SteamOS And Linux|first=Graham|last=Smith|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=October 10, 2024|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]}}</ref> releasing titles such as ''[[Civilization V]]'' and ''[[Civilization VI]]'' as well as ''[[Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel]]'' and ''[[Borderlands 2]]''. They dropped support for the Linux version of ''Borderlands 2'' in September 2020 and have not released subsequent Linux ports. They also published ''[[Layers of Fear]]'', ''[[Observer (video game)|Observer]]'' and ''[[InnerSpace (video game)|InnerSpace]]'' for that platform by other developers.
In 2015, Aspyr Media expanded their platform catalog again by releasing an iOS port of ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cultofmac.com/268967/use-force-controller-kotor-ios-now-sale/|title=Use The Force - And A Controller - With KOTOR For iOS, Now On Sale|date=2014-03-06|website=Cult of Mac|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref> and later, [[BioWare|Bioware's]] classic-action RPG, ''[[Jade Empire]]'' - a title they extended to [[Android (operating system)|Android]] as well.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/bioware-action-rpg-jade-empire-now-available-on-ios-1787481767|title=BioWare Action RPG Jade Empire Now Available On iOS|website=Kotaku|date=October 6, 2016 |access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref> In 2015, Aspyr updated ''[[Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/208580/announcements/detail/145589580847766181|title=Steam :: STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II: The Sith Lords™ :: Introducing and updated KOTOR II for Mac, Linux, and Windows!|date=2015-07-21|website=Steam|language=en|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> (native widescreen resolutions up to 5K, [[Steam Workshop]], support for controllers, 57<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/stats/208580/achievements|title = Steam Community :: STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II: The Sith Lords™ :: Achievements}}</ref> achievements, etc.) and also ported it to macOS and Linux. In 2015, Aspyr developed and published ''[[Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered]]'', a remaster of [[Fahrenheit (2005 video game)|the 2005 game]] developed by [[Quantic 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.<ref name="businesswire.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150129005150/en/Aspyr-Announces-Fahrenheit-Indigo-Prophecy-Remastered|title=Aspyr Announces Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered Available Now|date=2015-01-29|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref>
Aspyr has published over 190 games and have added 90 plus members to their team since 1996.<ref name=":1" /> In February 2021, Aspyr was acquired by [[Embracer Group]]. The company was added as a studio under the [[Saber Interactive]] label within Embracer.<ref name="gematsu aspyr">{{cite web | url = https://www.gematsu.com/2021/02/embracer-group-to-acquire-aspyr-media | title = Embracer Group to acquire Aspyr Media | first = Sal | last= Romano| date = February 2, 2021 | access-date=  February 2, 2021 | website =  Gematsu  }}</ref> In September 2021, it was announced that Aspyr was developing a [[Video game remake|remake]] of ''Knights of the Old Republic'' for [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[PlayStation 5]] as a [[timed exclusive]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-09|title=Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Strikes Back with New Remake|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/knights-of-the-old-republic-remake|access-date=2021-09-10|website=StarWars.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-09|title=Knights of the Old Republic returns with remake that is a timed exclusive to PS5|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/09/knights-of-the-old-republic-returns-with-remake-at-playstation-showcase/|access-date=2021-09-10|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=2021-09-09|title=Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is getting a remake for the PS5|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/9/22665460/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-remake-ps5-darth-revan|access-date=2021-09-10|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> In August 2022, Embracer announced that Aspyr is no longer working on the game and development has been moved to another studio.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Victoria |title=Embracer confirms AAA project has switched studios, following report of KOTOR trouble |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/embracer-confirms-aaa-project-has-switched-studios-following-report-of-kotor-trouble |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=18 August 2022 |date=18 August 2022}}</ref>
Aspyr published ''[[MythForce]]'', the first game designed by Canadian studio [[Beamdog]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/mythforce-launches-september-12|title=''MythForce'' launches September 12|last=Romano|first=Sal|work=Gematsu|date=2023-07-11|accessdate=2023-09-12}}</ref> The day after they announced this, on April 13, 2022, Embracer Group acquired Beamdog and placed it as a subsidiary of Aspyr.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/knights-of-the-old-republic-remake-studio-aspyr-has-acquired-beamdog/|title=Knights of the Old Republic remake studio Aspyr has acquired Beamdog | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = April 13, 2022 | accessdate = April 13, 2022 | work = [[Video Games Chronicle]] }}</ref>
In 2024, Aspyr developed and published—alongside sister company [[Crystal Dynamics]]—a remastered collection of the original three ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' games developed by [[Core Design]], titled ''[[Tomb Raider I–III Remastered]]''.<ref name="TombRaiderRemastered">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-14 |title=Aspyr & Crystal Dynamics Reveal Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft, Coming to Pc & Consoles Feb. 14, 2024 – Crystal Dynamics |url=https://www.crystaldynamics.com/blog/2023/09/14/aspyr-crystal-dynamics-reveal-tomb-raider-i-iii-remastered-starring-lara-croft-coming-to-pc-consoles-feb-14-2024/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> It was released on February 14, on [[Valentine's Day]], to coincide with main protagonist [[Lara Croft]]'s canonical birthday. The same year, Aspyr released ports of the first two original ''[[Star Wars: Battlefront (series)|Star Wars: Battlefront]]'' games under ''Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection'' on March 14, 2024.<ref name="IGN Battlefront">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-14 |title=Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection Launch Is a Disaster – IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-launch-is-a-disaster/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2024-03-14 |title=Saber Interactive Splits From Embracer, Taking 38 Video Game Projects With It |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/saber-interactive-splits-from-embracer-taking-38-video-game-projects-with-it |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
== Games ==
{{Main article|List of games ported by Aspyr}}
Currently, Aspyr's catalog includes popular games such as ''[[Civilization VI|Sid Meier's Civilization VI]]'', developed in 2018 on Mac, Linux, iOS and Nintendo Switch,<ref name="CivVIXboxOnePS4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190924005085/en/Sid-Meier%E2%80%99s-Civilization%C2%AE-VI-Coming-Xbox-PlayStation|title=Sid Meier's Civilization® VI Coming to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on November 22, 2019|date=2019-09-24|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref> ''[[Torn (2018 video game)|Torn]]'',<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadtovr.com/torn-review-masterful-black-mirror-style-storytelling-tarnished-repetitive-puzzles/|title='Torn' Review: Masterful 'Black Mirror' Style Storytelling Tarnished by Repetitive Puzzles|last=Hayden|first=Scott|date=2018-08-31|website=Road to VR|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref> the re-releases of several [[Lucasfilm Games]] (LucasArts) titles,<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/09/24/aspyr-spreads-out-with-classic-star-wars-game-for-the-switch-and-ps4/|title=Aspyr spreads beyond Mac with classic Star Wars game for the Switch and PS4|date=2019-09-24|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref><ref name="IGN Battlefront"/> and ''[[Tomb Raider I–III Remastered]]''.<ref name="TombRaiderRemastered" />
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.aspyr.com/}}
{{Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic series}}
{{Embracer Group}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1996 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:Apple Design Awards recipients]]
[[Category:Companies based in Austin, Texas]]
[[Category:Linux companies]]
[[Category:Linux game porters]]
[[Category:Macintosh software companies]]
[[Category:Saber Interactive]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in Texas]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game publishers]]