Apogee Software was a prominent video game development and publishing company that played a significant role in the early history of the PC gaming industry. Founded in 1987 by Scott Miller and George Broussard, Apogee is perhaps best known for pioneering the concept of shareware distribution for video games. Shareware allowed players to download and play a portion of a game for free, with the option to purchase the full game if they enjoyed the experience.
Apogee gained recognition with titles like Commander Keen, a series of side-scrolling platform games released in the early 1990s, and the Duke Nukem series, which transitioned from 2D platformers to 3D first-person shooters. However, Apogee is perhaps most renowned for its role in the development and distribution of Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, two of the most influential games in the first-person shooter genre. Apogee's shareware distribution model was instrumental in bringing these games to a wide audience and establishing them as iconic titles.
In the late 1990s, Apogee underwent a transformation and rebranding, becoming 3D Realms. Over the years, 3D Realms remained involved in game development and publishing, releasing various titles across different genres. The company also maintained a strong nostalgic connection with gamers who grew up playing their early shareware titles.
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