PopTop Software Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded1993; 31 years ago (1993)
FounderPhil Steinmeyer
DefunctMarch 7, 2006 (2006-03-07)
FateMerged into Firaxis Games
Headquarters
Fenton, Missouri
,
U.S.
ProductsRailroad Tycoon II
Railroad Tycoon 3
Tropico
Parent

PopTop Software Inc. was an American video game developer based in Fenton, Missouri.[1] The company was founded in 1993 by Phil Steinmeyer, acquired by Take-Two Interactive in July 2000, became part of the 2K label in January 2005, and was closed down in March 2006. It was known for its construction and management simulation games.

History

PopTop Software was founded by video game programmer and designer Phil Steinmeyer in 1993.[2] On July 24, 2000, Take-Two Interactive announced that it had acquired PopTop Software.[3][4] The deal saw a transaction of 559,100 shares in Take-Two Interactive, valued at an estimated US$5.8 million.[5] On January 25, 2005, Take-Two Interactive announced the opening of publishing label 2K, which would henceforth manage their development studios, including PopTop Software.[6]

Steinmeyer left PopTop Software in late 2004 and founded New Crayon Games, which later developed Bonnie's Bookstore, in May 2005.[7] On March 7, 2006, it was announced that PopTop Software's operations had been merged into Firaxis Games, another 2K studio.[8]

Games developed

Year Title Platform(s) Publisher Notes
1998 Railroad Tycoon II Microsoft Windows Gathering of Developers
1999 Railroad Tycoon II: The Second Century Microsoft Windows
2001 Tropico Microsoft Windows
2002 Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne Microsoft Windows Assisted Triumph Studios
Tropico: Paradise Island Microsoft Windows Assisted BreakAway Games
2003 Railroad Tycoon 3 Microsoft Windows
Tropico 2: Pirate Cove Microsoft Windows Assisted Frog City Software
2004 Railroad Tycoon 3: Coast to Coast Microsoft Windows
2005 Shattered Union Microsoft Windows 2K Games
Xbox

References

  1. ^ "Company". PopTop Software. Archived from the original on July 20, 2006.
  2. ^ jdkmedia (March 6, 2000). "PopTop Software Announces Tropico". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  3. ^ IGN Staff (July 24, 2000). "Take 2 Acquires PopTop". IGN. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  4. ^ Parker, Sam (July 24, 2000). "Take Two Acquires Pop Top". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  5. ^ Rogers, Dan Lee (March 3, 2004). "The End Game: How Top Developers Sold Their Studios – Part One". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  6. ^ Jenkins, David (January 25, 2005). "Take-Two Acquires Visual Concepts, Announces 2K Games Brand". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  7. ^ Steinmeyer, Phil. "About". New Crayon Games. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Thorsen, Tor (March 7, 2006). "PopTop folded into Firaxis?". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.


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