Mac game publisher Aspyr Media Inc. announced today that it’s hired two developers from Mac game conversion specialist Westlake Interactive to inaugurate its own internal development studio. The company said the programmers will come on board in the next few weeks.
Since its founding in the mid-90s, Aspyr Media has outsourced its development efforts to Mac game conversion companies like Westlake. In 2003 Aspyr also started shipping PC conversions of console titles alongside its Mac game development efforts, and has more recently begun developing titles for Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance handheld gaming system. It is also moving into the DVD and CD market by distributing independent films and music.
While Aspyr continues to work with outside developers for some of its Mac and PC game projects, the company in late September announced plans to hire its own programmers to manage some future efforts. At the time of the announcement, Aspyr President Michael Rogers reassured wary Mac gamers that his company planned to “maintain [its] solid base in the Mac space” with the new development team.
Aspyr’s new hires include Mark Krenek and Brad Oliver — two experienced Mac software developers whose combined resumes include the Mac conversions of more than a dozen Aspyr titles.
Last May, Aspyr Media announced plans to hire Glenda Adams, former President of Westlake Interactive, to head its own internal Mac and PC game development efforts. Adams is now Director of PC & Mac development at the company. Krenek and Oliver will report to Adams in their new roles.
Calling them “perfect additions” to Aspyr’s own development team, company President Michael Rogers added, “They both have done stellar work for us in the past, and we look forward to great things at Aspyr.”