Update 2: It turns out Frederick has unintentionally caused confusion regarding 3D Realms sale with his tweets. It turns out our original story below was closer in substance to what actually happened. We're sharing clarificatory tweets from Apogee Software, LLC, and Frederick here.
For the record @InterceptorEnt did not acquire @ApogeeSoftware or any of the assets associated with us including @RiseoftheTriad
— Apogee Software (@ApogeeSoftware) March 2, 2014
@Spiludviklingdk @ApogeeSoftware SDN Invest is the owner of Apogee Software Ltd d/b/a 3D Realms. Not to be confused with Apogee Software LLC
— Frederik Schreiber (@Freschism) March 2, 2014
Planning the future of 3D Realms with @MikeDalsgaard and @KhaledIbrahimi 🙂 pic.twitter.com/SBXZwT39en
— Frederik Schreiber (@Freschism) March 3, 2014
Update: Frederick Schreiber from Interceptor Entertainment has outright confirmed that his company has acquired 3D Realms / Apogee Software. We're sharing his tweet with your below, and will of course update you with the official statement.
Yes, we have indeed acquired Apogee/3D Realms. We will be giving an official statement tomorrow.@InterceptorEnt , @RiseoftheTriad
— Frederik Schreiber (@Freschism) March 2, 2014
Original Story Below:
A German site claims that 3D Realms and Apogee Software has been acquired by a Danish investment company, with Mike Nielsen now taking over as CEO. We believe this is the same Mike Nielsen who heads Interceptor Entertainment.
Before we continue, we need to take a few minutes to explain the 3D Realms – Apogee Software connection. For legal purposes, the company is and has always been Apogee Software, Ltd. 3D Realms was originally used as a brand within Apogee, and later came to dominate its products in such a way that Apogee abandoned its own trademark in 1996. In 2008, the Apogee trademark was revived for a new company, Apogee Software LLC, that licenses the company’s old IPs. In essence, the rumored investment in Apogee is an investment in all these companies.
The article further claims that the Danish investment company in question is called SDN Invest, and credits Mike Nielsen as coowner of gaming retailer Coolshop.dk. While we can’t verify all this information independently (partly because most available information is in Danish), we were able to verify that there is a Mike S. D. Nielsen in LinkedIn. This Mike lists himself as CEO of SDNielsen ApS, and also happens to be head of Interceptor Entertainment.
If true, what we are basically hearing is a deal that made Interceptor the CEO of its frequent US collaborator, Apogee Software LLC. Interceptor is best known for the 2013 remake of Rise of the Triad, as well as the Apogee Throwback Pack, and various Duke Nukem rereleases to iOS and Steam. Interceptor and 3D Realms also both worked on the ultimately failed Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded.
The timing of the said acquisition is interesting, since the companies are currently being sued by Gearbox for 3D Realms’ recent new Duke Nukem project teaser. If the rumor is true, the pending litigation might turn out to hinder this coming acquisition. On the flip side, it may also be preparation for said lawsuit. In any case, we expect clarity to come soon enough, and we’ll keep you up to date as news comes out.
Image is from Rise of the Triad.
