Spiderweb Software
Template:Short description Template:Infobox company
Spiderweb Software is an independent video game developer founded in 1994 by Jeff Vogel in Seattle, Washington. Its primary focus is on creating demoware games for the Mac, Microsoft Windows, Android and the iPad. The games emphasize storytelling and turn-based gameplay and use a retro style of graphics.<ref>The Bottom Feeder: How Many Games I Sell, Part Two</ref>
Games
Developed games
Spiderweb Software is most notable for the following RPG video games:
- The Exile trilogy of underground adventures (1995-1997).<ref>Spiderweb Software Older Games</ref>
- Blades of Exile, a non-canonical continuation featuring a scenario creation kit.
- Nethergate, a fantasy game based upon the Roman occupation of Britain (1998). The game was eventually revamped under the title Nethergate: Resurrection (2007).
- The first Avernum trilogy, which are expanded remakes of the Exile series, using the Nethergate game engine, with several enhancements to the visual design and gameplay (2000-2002).<ref>Avernum Series Main Page</ref>
- Blades of Avernum, a non-canonical continuation featuring a scenario creation kit.
- The five-part Geneforge series, notable for its unique gameplay involving the creation of creatures to assist the player (2001-2008).
- The Second Avernum trilogy, continuing and ultimately finishing the story of Avernum, using a variation of the Geneforge game engine (2005-2009).
- Avadon: The Black Fortress, the first game in a new trilogy (2011). Avadon features a new game setting, interface, and combat system.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web "I am making a whole new game world, game engine"</ref>
- Avadon 2: The Corruption. The second game released in the Avadon trilogy (2013).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Avadon 3: The Warborn. The third game released in the Avadon trilogy (2016).
- Avernum: Escape From the Pit (2011), Avernum 2: Crystal Souls (2015), and Avernum 3: Ruined World (2018), remakes of the first Avernum trilogy, with reworked game mechanics, and new graphics and sound effects.<ref>RPGamer Interview</ref><ref>PC Gamer Article</ref><ref>Avernum 3 Press Release</ref>
- Queen's Wish: The Conqueror, the first game in a new fantasy series (2019). This series focuses on capturing and building fortresses and explores the mechanics and morality of building empires.<ref>"VentureBeat Interview"</ref>
- Queen's Wish 2: The Tormentor. The second game released in the Queen's Wish trilogy. It was released on August 24, 2022.
- Geneforge 1 - Mutagen (2021) is a remake of the first Geneforge game.<ref>Geneforge at Spiderweb Software</ref> It was released on February 24, 2021.<ref>Spiderweb Software forums</ref>
- Geneforge 2 - Infestation (2024) is a remake of the second Geneforge game.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was released on March 27, 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Avernum 4: Greed and Glory (2025) is a remake of the first game of the second Avernum trilogy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Published games
The company previously provided distribution services and other support for other shareware developers, Chromite Software (Richard White),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Crystal Shard, and Dragon Lore. The games included:
- Galactic Core (developed by Chromite Software).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Lost Souls (developed by Chromite Software).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ocean Bound (developed by Chromite Software).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- SubTerra (developed by Crystal Shard).
- Homeland: The Stone of Night (developed by Dragon Lore).
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.<ref>Announcement of end of SubTerra distribution from Spiderweb Software's website</ref>
Awards
- Exile II: Crystal Souls – 1996 "Shareware Game of the Year" (Honorable Mention), Template:Cite journal
- Exile III: Ruined World – "Shareware Game of the Year", Template:Cite magazine
- Nethergate – "RPG of the Year" (Honorable Mention), Computer Games Magazine
- Geneforge 4: Rebellion – "Indie RPG of the year" GameBanshee<ref>Inside Mac Games Article</ref>