Aspyr Media, Inc. (pronounced "aspire") is an American video game developer and publisher founded by Michael Rogers and Ted Staloch in Austin, Texas. Originally founded to bring top gaming titles to macOS,[1] the company, since 2005, has become a publisher and developer of entertainment for multiple gaming platforms.[2]
Aspyr was acquired by Embracer Group in February 2021 and placed within Saber Interactive until its divestment in March 2024, after which it remains a subsidiary of Embracer.[3][4]
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 in porting video games from Microsoft WindowstomacOS.[6]
Aspyr has published over 190 games and have added 90 plus members to their team since 1996.[2] In February 2021, Aspyr was acquired by Embracer Group. The company was added as a studio under the Saber Interactive label within Embracer.[14] In September 2021, it was announced that Aspyr was developing a remakeofKnights of the Old Republic for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 5 as a timed 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 published MythForce, the first game designed by Canadian studio Beamdog.[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 company Crystal Dynamics—a remastered collection of the original three Tomb Raider games developed by Core Design, titled Tomb Raider I–III Remastered.[21] 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 games under Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection on 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]
