Apogee Entertainment Explained

Apogee Entertainment
Type:Private
Industry:Video games
Founder:Terry Nagy
Hq Location City:Rowlett, Texas
Hq Location Country:US

Apogee Entertainment, formerly Apogee Software, LLC, is an American video game publisher based in Rowlett, Texas. The company was founded by Terry Nagy in 2008 after he licensed the rights to the name and logo from Scott Miller and his company, 3D Realms, which had used both previously. After reorganizing as Apogee Entertainment in 2021, it hired Miller for its publishing operations.

History

The original Apogee Software was founded by Scott Miller in 1987 and utilized the Apogee name and logo until 1996, when the company adopted the trade name "3D Realms".[1] In 2008, Terry Nagy, a college friend of Miller, licensed the rights to the "Apogee Software" name and logo, as well as the rights to several games developed under that name, and established a company to publish further titles using the moniker. The publisher's opening was announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo on July 14, 2008.[2]

The company immediately announced the Duke Nukem Trilogy, three new games in the Duke Nukem series—Critical Mass, Chain Reaction, and Proving Grounds—to be released on Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable.[3] [4] A co-publishing deal was reached with Deep Silver to ensure wide distribution of the titles.[5] Critical Mass was released for Nintendo DS in May 2011,[6] however, its PlayStation Portable version, as well as Chain Reaction and Proving Grounds, ultimately stayed unreleased.[7] Apogee Software, LLC released Interceptor Entertainment's Rise of the Triad and the Apogee Throwback Pack in July 2013,[8] as well as Radical Heroes: Crimson City Crisis from Mad Unicorn Games in 2016.[9]

During 3D Realms' "Realms Deep 2020" event in September 2020, Apogee Software, LLC announced remastered editions of the original Rise of the Triad (co-published by 3D Realms) and Crystal Caves.[10] [11]

The company announced it was rebranding itself to Apogee Entertainment in April 2021 and focusing solely on indie game publishing. Alongside this announcement, the company announced that they brought on Miller to assist in publishing efforts.[12]

Games published

YearTitlePlatform(s)Developer(s)
2011Nintendo DSFrontline Studios
2013Rise of the TriadWindowsInterceptor Entertainment
2016Radical Heroes: Crimson City CrisisMad Unicorn Games
2020Crystal Caves HDEmberheart Games
2021ResidualNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SOrangePixel
Secret Agent HDWindowsEmberheart Games
Monster Bash HD
2023Bread & FredSandCastles Studio
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SNightdive Studios, New Blood Interactive
Turbo OverkillWindowsTrigger Happy Interactive
TBANintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Below the StoneNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SStrollart
Dead FuryFunder Studios
ElementsWreckIt Games
LucidThe Matte Black Studio
ExocideHellforge Studios
VexlandsWindowsApogee Entertainment
Quest MasterSkydevilpalm
WizordumEmberheart Games
LittlelandsRafael Martin

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Apogee: Where Wolfenstein got its start . Chris . Plante . October 26, 2017 . . March 3, 2018 . October 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171026234917/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/10/26/16511514/wolfenstein-origins-apogee . live .
  2. Apogee Software reforms . July 14, 2008 . . September 15, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915183526/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/apogee-software-reforms/ . live .
  3. Web site: Apogee Return To Feast On The Living (And Duke Nukem) . Luke . Plunkett . July 14, 2008 . . September 15, 2020 . June 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180619165158/https://kotaku.com/5024833/apogee-return-to-feast-on-the-living-and-duke-nukem . live .
  4. Web site: Duke Nukem Trilogy announced for DS, PSP . Andrew . Webster . July 17, 2008 . . March 3, 2018 . March 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180304054814/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/07/duke-nukem-trilogy-announced-for-ds-psp/ . live .
  5. Web site: Apogee and Deep Silver Announce Duke Nukem Trilogy for DS . Nick . DiMola . July 22, 2008 . Nintendo World Report . March 3, 2018 . March 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180304054726/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/16439/apogee-and-deep-silver-announce-duke-nukem-trilogy-for-ds . live .
  6. Web site: Duke Nukem: Critical Mass Release Date . Daniel . Krupa . May 20, 2011 . . September 15, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915183701/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/20/duke-nukem-critical-mass-release-date . live .
  7. Web site: Library of Congress discovers unreleased Duke Nukem game . Jeffrey . Matulef . August 7, 2014 . . September 15, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915183718/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-06-library-of-congress-discovers-unreleased-psp-duke-nukem-game . live .
  8. Web site: Rise of the Triad set for July 31 release, includes Apogee Throwback Pack with pre-orders . Dave . Tach . July 1, 2013 . . September 15, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915183700/https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/1/4483068/rise-of-the-triad-release-date-july-31-pre-order-bonus . live .
  9. Web site: Apogee Software Teams Up With Mad Unicorn Games . Chris . Shive . August 28, 2016 . Hardcore Gamer . September 15, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915183639/https://hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/28/apogee-software-teams-up-with-mad-unicorn-games/223146/ . live .
  10. Web site: Rise of the Triad Remastered announced for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC . Sal . Romano . September 6, 2020 . Gematsu . September 15, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915183640/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/09/rise-of-the-triad-remastered-announced-for-playstation-xbox-switch-and-pc . live .
  11. Crystal Caves HD is a light remake of the 1993 shareware classic . Shaun . Prescott . September 14, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915183701/https://www.pcgamer.com/crystal-caves-hd-is-a-light-remake-of-the-1993-shareware-classic/ . live .
  12. Web site: Apogee Software reboots as Apogee Entertainment, vows to 'boost the odds' for indies . Chris . Kerr . April 20, 2021 . April 20, 2021 . .