View source for Spiderweb Software

{{Short description|American video game company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Spiderweb Software
| logo = SpiderwebLogo.png| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| foundation = September 1994
| location = [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| key_people = Jeff Vogel
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| products = ''[[Geneforge (series)|Geneforge]]<br/>[[Avernum]]''
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| subsid =
| homepage = [https://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/ spiderwebsoftware.com]
| footnotes =
}}

'''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 (computer)|Mac]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and the [[iPad]]. The games emphasize storytelling and turn-based gameplay and use a retro style of graphics.<ref>[https://jeff-vogel.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-many-games-i-sell-part-two.html The Bottom Feeder: How Many Games I Sell, Part Two]</ref>

==Games==
===Developed games===
{{Video game timeline
| 1995 = ''Exile I: Escape from the Pit''
| 1996 = ''Exile II: Crystal Souls''
| 1997a = ''Exile III: Ruined World''
| 1997b = ''Blades of Exile''
| 1998 = ''[[Nethergate]]''
| 2000a = ''[[Avernum]]''
| 2000b = ''Avernum 2''
| 2001 = ''[[Geneforge]]''
| 2002 = ''Avernum 3''
| 2003 = ''[[Geneforge 2]]''
| 2004 = ''Blades of Avernum''
| 2005a = ''[[Geneforge 3]]''
| 2005b = ''Avernum IV''
| 2006 = ''[[Geneforge 4: Rebellion]]''
| 2007a = ''Nethergate: Resurrection''
| 2007b = ''Avernum V''
| 2008 = ''[[Geneforge 5: Overthrow]]''
| 2009 = ''Avernum 6''
| 2011a = ''[[Avadon: The Black Fortress]]''
| 2011b = ''[[Avernum: Escape From the Pit]]''
| 2013 = ''[[Avadon 2: The Corruption]]''
| 2015 = ''[[Avernum 2: Crystal Souls]]''
| 2016 = ''[[Avadon 3: The Warborn]]''
| 2018 = ''[[Avernum 3: Ruined World]]''
| 2019 = ''[[Queen's Wish: The Conqueror]]''
| 2021 = ''[[Geneforge 1 - Mutagen]]''
| 2022 = ''[[Queen's Wish 2: The Tormentor]]''
| 2024 = ''[[Geneforge 2 - Infestation]]''
| 2025 = ''[[Avernum 4: Greed and Glory]]''
}}

Spiderweb Software is most notable for the following [[Role-playing game (video games)|RPG video games]]:
* The [[Exile (1995 video game series)|''Exile'']] trilogy of underground adventures (1995-1997).<ref>[http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/productsOld.html Spiderweb Software Older Games]</ref>
** ''[[Exile (1995 video game series)#Blades of Exile|Blades of Exile]]'', a non-canonical continuation featuring a scenario creation kit.
* ''[[Nethergate]]'', a fantasy game based upon the [[Roman Britain|Roman occupation of Britain]] (1998). The game was eventually revamped under the title ''[[Nethergate#Nethergate: Resurrection|Nethergate: Resurrection]]'' (2007).
* The [[Avernum (series)|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>[http://avernum.com/ Avernum Series Main Page]</ref>
** ''[[Avernum (series)#Blades of Avernum|Blades of Avernum]]'', a non-canonical continuation featuring a scenario creation kit.
* The five-part [[Geneforge (series)|''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>{{cite web|title=Spiderweb Software's homepage|access-date=March 24, 2010|url=http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jeff-vogel.blogspot.com/2010/02/avernum-6-for-windows-released.html|access-date=March 24, 2010|date=February 26, 2010|last=Vogel|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Vogel|title=Avernum 6 For Windows Released}} ''"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>{{cite web|access-date=October 30, 2013|url=http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/avadon2/|title=Spiderweb Software Inc}}</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>[http://www.rpgamer.com/games/avernum/avernumpit/avernumpitint.html RPGamer Interview]</ref><ref>[http://www.pcgamer.com/avernum-2-crystal-souls-announced/ PC Gamer Article]</ref><ref>[http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/presskit/avernum3/index.html 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>[https://venturebeat.com/2019/06/04/queens-wish-the-conqueror-interview-jeff-vogel-wants-you-to-be-a-fantasy-ceo/ "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 (video game)|Geneforge]]'' game.<ref>[http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/geneforge/index.html Geneforge at Spiderweb Software]</ref> It was released on February 24, 2021.<ref>[https://spiderwebforums.ipbhost.com/topic/26229-gf1m-release-date-is-feb-24th/ Spiderweb Software forums]</ref>
** ''[[Geneforge 2 - Infestation]]'' (2024) is a remake of the second [[Geneforge 2|''Geneforge'']] game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geneforge 2 - Infestation |url=https://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/geneforge2/index.html |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=www.spiderwebsoftware.com}}</ref> It was released on March 27, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geneforge 2 - Infestation on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2480560/Geneforge_2__Infestation/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ''[[Avernum 4: Greed and Glory]]'' (2025) is a remake of the first game of the second Avernum trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Avernum 4: Greed and Glory on Steam|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3882020/Avernum_4_Greed_and_Glory/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Published games===
The company previously provided distribution services and other support for other shareware developers, Chromite Software (Richard White),<ref>{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030806095956/http://www.chromite.co.nz/Products.html | url=http://www.chromite.co.nz/Products.html | title=Chromite Software | archivedate=August 6, 2003 | url-status=dead| access-date=October 17, 2025}}</ref> Crystal Shard, and Dragon Lore. The games included:

* ''Galactic Core'' (developed by Chromite Software).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.insidemacgames.com/historical/news/story.php%3FArticleID=4049.html | title=Inside Mac Games News: Galactic Core Coming Soon | website=[[Inside Mac Games]]
| date=October 19, 2001 | access-date=October 17, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Mariann Krizsan |url=http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/GalacticCore/index.html |title=Galactic Core Home Page |publisher=Spiderwebsoftware.com |access-date=2013-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119031150/http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/GalacticCore/index.html |archive-date=2012-01-19 }}</ref>
* ''Lost Souls'' (developed by Chromite Software).<ref>{{cite web |author=Mariann Krizsan |url=http://www.spidweb.com/lostsouls/ |title=Lost Souls |publisher=Spidweb.com |access-date=2013-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329004158/http://www.spidweb.com/lostsouls/ |archive-date=2006-03-29 }}</ref>
* ''Ocean Bound'' (developed by Chromite Software).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.info-mac.org/viewtopic.php?f=139&t=3964&p=3965&hilit=ocean+bound&sid=1f3cb8c6c89fe9f8bc796da938feb9b0#p3965 |title=Ocean11.hqx |publisher=Info-Mac |date=1998-10-31 |access-date=2013-07-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Mariann Krizsan |url=http://www.spidweb.com/oceanbound/ocean_bound.html |title=Ocean Bound |publisher=Spidweb.com |access-date=2013-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210223742/http://www.spidweb.com/oceanbound/ocean_bound.html |archive-date=2007-12-10 }}</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>[http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/subterra/index.html 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), {{cite journal |last= Wasson|first= Gregory|date= October 1996|title= 1996 MacUser Shareware Awards|journal= [[MacUser]]}}
* ''Exile III: Ruined World'' – "Shareware Game of the Year", {{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= October 1998|title= 1998 Shareware Award Winners |magazine= [[Computer Gaming World]]}}
* ''Nethergate'' – "RPG of the Year" (Honorable Mention), ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]''
* ''[[Geneforge 4: Rebellion]]'' – "Indie RPG of the year" ''[[GameBanshee]]''<ref>[http://www.insidemacgames.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=32566 Inside Mac Games Article]</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/ Spiderweb Software's official site]
*[https://jeff-vogel.blogspot.com/ Jeff Vogel's Official Company and Gaming Blog]

{{Spiderweb Software}}

[[Category:Video game companies based in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Software companies based in Seattle]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Macintosh software companies]]