Apogee Software revolutionized PC gaming in the early 1990s through their innovative shareware distribution model and consistently high-quality games. Founded by Scott Miller in 1987, Apogee proved that independent developers could compete with major publishers by delivering the first episode of games for free, then selling the complete experience directly to players.
The company's catalog ranged from polished gems that deserved wider recognition to genre-defining blockbusters. Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure showcased Apogee's smooth parallax scrolling and detailed sprite animation that rivaled commercial platformers. Crystal Caves combined puzzle-solving with action in a mining-themed adventure that featured an impressive level editor ahead of its time. Secret Agent demonstrated their versatility with top-down stealth gameplay that was surprisingly sophisticated for 1992.
As a publisher, Apogee launched some of the most important franchises in PC gaming history. Their partnership with id Software produced Commander Keen, which brought console-quality smooth scrolling to DOS machines through John Carmack's revolutionary engine. More significantly, they distributed Wolfenstein 3D, the game that essentially created the first-person shooter genre on PC. The raycasting engine delivered fast-paced 3D action on 386 machines, proving that mature content could find massive audiences through shareware distribution.
Apogee's own development efforts created the Duke Nukem franchise, starting with the original side-scrolling Duke Nukem in 1991, which featured large detailed sprites and non-linear level design. Duke Nukem II improved on everything with better VGA graphics and jetpack mechanics. The series culminated in Duke Nukem 3D, developed after Apogee became 3D Realms, which used the Build engine to create interactive environments and multiple gameplay paths that made it feel more alive than competitors like Doom.
Rise of the Triad was Apogee's direct answer to Doom, built on a heavily modified Wolfenstein engine but featuring insane weapons, over-the-top violence, and support for up to 11 players in multiplayer. Other notable releases included Hocus Pocus, a beautifully hand-drawn platformer from Moonlite Software, Alien Carnage with its jetpack-powered action and weapon upgrade system, and Blake Stone: Aliens Of Gold, which improved on Wolfenstein's formula with textured floors and ceilings.
Apogee didn't just make games - they established the foundation of modern independent game distribution and proved that quality and innovation could triumph over big publisher marketing budgets.
