Spiderweb Software
Encyclopedia
Spiderweb Software is a small indie video game developer
founded in 1994 by Jeff Vogel in Seattle, Washington
. Its primary focus is on creating demoware games for the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows
operating systems. The company is unusual in that it first develops games for Macintosh systems before porting them to the Windows platform. It is also known for emphasizing storytelling and gameplay over graphics.
:
Spiderweb's latest project is Avadon: The Black Fortress
, the first game in a new trilogy. Avadon features a new game setting, interface, and combat system. Avadon: The Black Fortress was released for the Macintosh, PC Windows and iPad in February, May and June 2011 respectively.
The company previously provided distribution services and other support for other shareware developers, including Richard White and Crystal Shard. In June 2007, Jeff Vogel announced that the company would no longer be supporting games by other developers, and they are no longer available for download through Spiderweb's main site.
Independent video game development
Independent video game development is the process of creating video games without the financial support of a video game publisher. While large firms can create independent games, they are usually designed by an individual or a small team of as many as ten people, depending on the complexity of the...
founded in 1994 by Jeff Vogel in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. Its primary focus is on creating demoware games for the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
operating systems. The company is unusual in that it first develops games for Macintosh systems before porting them to the Windows platform. It is also known for emphasizing storytelling and gameplay over graphics.
Games
Spiderweb Software is most notable for the following RPG video gamesRole-playing game (video games)
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
:
- The 3-part Exile series of underground adventures.
- The 6-part Avernum series, which are expanded updates of the Exile series with several enhancements to the visual design and gameplay.
- The games Blades of Exile and Blades of Avernum, which include scenario creation kits and are a continuation of the previously mentioned series.
- The 5-part Geneforge series, notable for its unique gameplay involving the creation of creatures to assist the player.
- NethergateNethergateNethergate is a computer-based historical-fiction fantasy role-playing game by Spiderweb Software available for the Macintosh and Microsoft Windows platforms. The game was released in 1999 by Jeff Vogel, and was Spiderweb Software's first game to feature a 45° isometric viewing angle...
, a fantasy game based upon the Roman occupation of BritainRoman BritainRoman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
, as well as a revamped version called Nethergate: Resurrection.
Spiderweb's latest project is Avadon: The Black Fortress
Avadon: The Black Fortress
Avadon: The Black Fortress is a single-player role-playing video game developed by Spiderweb Software. It is the first game in the Avadon trilogy. The game was released for Mac OS X in February 2011, and for Microsoft Windows in May 2011...
, the first game in a new trilogy. Avadon features a new game setting, interface, and combat system. Avadon: The Black Fortress was released for the Macintosh, PC Windows and iPad in February, May and June 2011 respectively.
The company previously provided distribution services and other support for other shareware developers, including Richard White and Crystal Shard. In June 2007, Jeff Vogel announced that the company would no longer be supporting games by other developers, and they are no longer available for download through Spiderweb's main site.
Awards
- Exile II: Crystal Souls – 1995 "Shareware Game of the Year" (Honorable Mention), MacUserMacUserMacUser is a biweekly computer magazine published by Dennis Publishing Ltd. and licensed by Felden in the UK.In 1985 Felix Dennis’ Dennis Publishing, the creators of MacUser in the UK, licensed the name and “mouse-rating” symbol for MacUser to Ziff-Davis Publishing for use in the rest of the world....
- Exile III: Ruined World – "Shareware Game of the Year", Computer Gaming WorldComputer Gaming WorldComputer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
- Nethergate – "RPG of the Year" (Honorable Mention), Computer Games MagazineComputer Games MagazineComputer Games Magazine was a computer gaming print magazine. It was formerly Computer Games Strategy Plus, and before that, Strategy Plus, which had been founded as Games International in the UK in 1988. While its initial focus was on strategy games, it covered a wide range of game genres...
- Geneforge 4: RebellionGeneforge 4: RebellionGeneforge 4: Rebellion is the fourth video game in the Geneforge series of role-playing games created by Spiderweb Software. It was released as demoware for the Macintosh and Windows platforms.-Features:...
– "Indie RPG of the year" GameBanshee