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{{Short description|German video game developer}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Ascaron Entertainment
| name = Ascaron Entertainment
| logo =
| logo =
| caption =
| caption =
| type =
| foundation = 1991
| foundation = 1992
| parent =
| parent =
| defunct = 2009
| defunct = 2009
| industry = [[Video game industry]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| products = ''[[The Patrician (video game)|The Patrician]]'' series<br/>''[[Port Royale: Gold, Power and Pirates|Port Royale]]'' series<br/>''[[Sacred (video game)|Sacred]]'' series<br/>
| products = ''[[The Patrician (video game)|The Patrician]]'' series<br/>''[[Port Royale: Gold, Power and Pirates|Port Royale]]'' series<br/>''[[Sacred (video game)|Sacred]]'' series
}}
}}


'''Ascaron Entertainment''' was a [[video game developer]] based in [[Germany]]. Founded as '''Ascon''' and later renamed in October 1996 due to the possible confusion with the Swiss company [[Ascom (company)|Ascom AG]],<ref>[http://www.gamestar.de/specials/reports/1958674/die_akte_ascaron.html#ascaron-heisst-ascon Die Akte Ascaron - Große Hits, große Reinfälle] ''gamestar.de''</ref> the company produced titles primarily for the PC until it became insolvent in 2009.
'''Ascaron Entertainment''' was a [[video game developer]] based in Germany. Founded as '''Ascon''' by Holger Flöttmann in 1991 and later renamed in October 1996 due to the possible confusion with the Swiss company [[Ascom (company)|Ascom AG]],<ref>[http://www.gamestar.de/specials/reports/1958674/die_akte_ascaron.html#ascaron-heisst-ascon Die Akte Ascaron - Große Hits, große Reinfälle] ''gamestar.de''</ref> the company produced titles primarily for the PC until it became insolvent in 2009.


==Background and history==
==Background and history==
Ascaron had its headquarters in [[Gütersloh]], a town in western Germany. It had a development studio in [[Aachen]] and an international office in [[Birmingham]], in the [[United Kingdom]].
Ascaron had its headquarters in [[Gütersloh]], a town in western Germany. It had a development studio in [[Aachen]] and an international office in [[Birmingham]] in the United Kingdom.


Ascaron had a particular focus on strategy and management games. Among its early successes were the ''[[The Patrician (game)|Patrician]]'' series (a trading simulation) and the ''[[On the Ball (video game)|On the Ball]]'' series (a soccer team management simulation). More recently, the company had developed games such as ''[[Port Royale: Gold, Power and Pirates|Port Royale]]'' (a pirate/trading simulation game), ''[[Sacred (video game)|Sacred]]'' (an [[role playing game|RPG]]) and ''[[Darkstar One]]'' (a space combat simulation).
Ascaron had a particular focus on strategy and management games. Among its early successes were the ''[[The Patrician (game)|Patrician]]'' series (a trading simulation) and the ''[[On the Ball (video game)|On the Ball]]'' series (a soccer team management simulation). More recently, the company had developed games such as ''[[Port Royale: Gold, Power and Pirates|Port Royale]]'' (a pirate/trading simulation game), ''[[Sacred (video game)|Sacred]]'' (an [[role playing game|RPG]]) and ''[[Darkstar One]]'' (a space combat simulation).


Ascaron was also known for publishing or distributing many games from smaller developers and publishers. Examples of games distributed by Ascaron in the UK include [[King's Bounty: The Legend]], [[Audiosurf]] and several games in the [[TrackMania]]-series. The company distributed games from other European publishers, such as {{ill|Nobilis (entreprise)|fr}} and [[Focus Home Interactive]].
Ascaron was also known for publishing or distributing many games from smaller developers and publishers. Examples of games distributed by Ascaron in the UK include ''[[King's Bounty: The Legend]]'', ''[[Audiosurf]]'' and several games in the ''[[TrackMania]]''-series. The company distributed games from other European publishers, such as {{ill|Nobilis (entreprise)|fr}} and [[Focus Home Interactive]].


In April 2009, the company was unable to pay its debts and went into [[Administration (insolvency)|administration]] citing the extended development time of [[Sacred 2: Fallen Angel]] as the reason.<ref>[http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58234 Sacred Developer Ascaron Files for Bankruptcy, Currently in Takeover Talks] ''shacknews.com''</ref> The company continued trading in the hope that a solution could be found, but the company was ultimately dissolved in July 2009, with [[Kalypso Media]] purchasing many of the licenses and assets from Ascaron Entertainment, with the notable exception of the licence for Sacred, which was acquired by [[Koch Media#Deep Silver|Deep Silver (Germany)]]. [[Gaming Minds Studios]] was then launched by Kalypso and former Ascaron employees. 15 former Ascaron developers joined the Gaming Minds Studios.<ref name="gamingmindlaunch-Gamastura">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24095|title=German Developer Gaming Minds Formed|last=Alexander|first=Leigh |date=June 18, 2009|publisher=Gamasutra|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref>
In April 2009, the company was unable to pay its debts and went into [[Administration (insolvency)|administration]], citing the extended development time of ''[[Sacred 2: Fallen Angel]]'' as the reason.<ref>[http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58234 Sacred Developer Ascaron Files for Bankruptcy, Currently in Takeover Talks] ''shacknews.com''</ref> The company continued trading in the hope that a solution could be found but was ultimately dissolved in July 2009, with [[Kalypso Media]] purchasing many of the licenses and assets from Ascaron Entertainment, with the notable exception of the licence for ''Sacred'', which was acquired by [[Koch Media#Deep Silver|Deep Silver (Germany)]]. [[Gaming Minds Studios]] was then launched by Kalypso and former Ascaron employees. 15 former Ascaron developers joined the Gaming Minds Studios.<ref name="gamingmindlaunch-Gamastura">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24095 |title=German Developer Gaming Minds Formed |last=Alexander |first=Leigh |date=June 18, 2009 |publisher=Gamasutra |access-date=2009-06-19}}</ref>


As of April 2010, Ascaron UK was still in operation, acting as a distributor for other publishers. Customers include [[Paradox Interactive]].<ref name="Amazon.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/forum/cd/discussion.html/ref=cm_cd_et_md_pl?ie=UTF8&cdForum=FxAX1RR3W2ACDR&cdMsgNo=6&cdPage=1&asin=B002RL9RKY&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3P7UM8F6KREX&cdMsgID=Mx3EQ712M47CC69#Mx3EQ712M47CC69|title=Mount & Blade: Warband discussion|date=2010-03-18|last=Swindells|first=Roger|accessdate=2010-04-17}}</ref>
As of April 2010, Ascaron UK was still in operation, acting as a distributor for other publishers. Customers include [[Paradox Interactive]].<ref name="Amazon.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/standalone-definitely-expansion-special-collectors/forum/FxAX1RR3W2ACDR/Tx3P7UM8F6KREX/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B002RL9RKY |title=Mount & Blade: Warband discussion |last=Swindells |first=Roger |website=Amazon UK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224091134/http://www.amazon.co.uk/standalone-definitely-expansion-special-collectors/forum/FxAX1RR3W2ACDR/Tx3P7UM8F6KREX/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B002RL9RKY |archive-date=February 24, 2012}}</ref>


==Games==
==Games==
*''[[The Patrician (video game)|The Patrician]]'' (1992)
*''[[The Patrician (video game)|The Patrician]]'' (1992)
*''[[On the Ball (video game)]]'' (Original title: ''Anstoss'') (1993)
*''[[On the Ball (video game)|On the Ball]]'' (original title: ''Anstoss'') (1993)
*''[[Hanse - Die Expedition]]'' (1994)
*''[[Hanse - Die Expedition]]'' (1994)
*''Elisabeth I'' (1995)
*''Elisabeth I'' (1995)
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*''[[Port Royale 2]]'' (2004)
*''[[Port Royale 2]]'' (2004)
*''[[Tortuga: Pirates of the New World]]'' (US title: ''Pirate Hunter'') (2004)
*''[[Tortuga: Pirates of the New World]]'' (US title: ''Pirate Hunter'') (2004)
*''[[The Great Art Race]]'' (Original title: ''Vermeer 2'')(2004)
*''[[The Great Art Race]]'' (original title: ''Vermeer 2'') (2004)
*''[[Sacred Underworld]]'' (2005)
*''[[Sacred Underworld]]'' (2005)
*''[[DarkStar One|Darkstar One]]'' (2006)
*''[[DarkStar One]]'' (2006)
*''[[Tortuga: Two Treasures]]'' (2007)
*''[[Tortuga: Two Treasures]]'' (2007)
*''[[Sacred 2: Fallen Angel]]'' (2008)
*''[[Sacred 2: Fallen Angel]]'' (2008)
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080715224659/http://www.ascaron.com/ Official website] (offline, archived 2008)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080715224659/http://www.ascaron.com/ Official website] (offline, archived 2008)
*[http://www.mobygames.com/company/ascaron-entertainment-gmbh Ascaron] at [[MobyGames]]
*{{MobyGames company|company=ascaron-entertainment-gmbh}}


{{Ascaron}}
⚫
[[Category:Companies established in 1992]]

⚫
[[Category:Companies disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Defunct video game companies]]
[[Category:Defunct video game companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1992]]
⚫
[[Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
⚫
[[Category:Companies based in North Rhine-Westphalia]]

Latest revision as of 19:57, 26 June 2024

Ascaron Entertainment
IndustryVideo games
Founded1991
Defunct2009
ProductsThe Patrician series
Port Royale series
Sacred series

Ascaron Entertainment was a video game developer based in Germany. Founded as Ascon by Holger Flöttmann in 1991 and later renamed in October 1996 due to the possible confusion with the Swiss company Ascom AG,[1] the company produced titles primarily for the PC until it became insolvent in 2009.

Background and history

[edit]

Ascaron had its headquarters in Gütersloh, a town in western Germany. It had a development studio in Aachen and an international office in Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Ascaron had a particular focus on strategy and management games. Among its early successes were the Patrician series (a trading simulation) and the On the Ball series (a soccer team management simulation). More recently, the company had developed games such as Port Royale (a pirate/trading simulation game), Sacred (an RPG) and Darkstar One (a space combat simulation).

Ascaron was also known for publishing or distributing many games from smaller developers and publishers. Examples of games distributed by Ascaron in the UK include King's Bounty: The Legend, Audiosurf and several games in the TrackMania-series. The company distributed games from other European publishers, such as Nobilis (entreprise) [fr] and Focus Home Interactive.

In April 2009, the company was unable to pay its debts and went into administration, citing the extended development time of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel as the reason.[2] The company continued trading in the hope that a solution could be found but was ultimately dissolved in July 2009, with Kalypso Media purchasing many of the licenses and assets from Ascaron Entertainment, with the notable exception of the licence for Sacred, which was acquired by Deep Silver (Germany). Gaming Minds Studios was then launched by Kalypso and former Ascaron employees. 15 former Ascaron developers joined the Gaming Minds Studios.[3]

As of April 2010, Ascaron UK was still in operation, acting as a distributor for other publishers. Customers include Paradox Interactive.[4]

Games

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Die Akte Ascaron - Große Hits, große Reinfälle gamestar.de
  2. ^ Sacred Developer Ascaron Files for Bankruptcy, Currently in Takeover Talks shacknews.com
  3. ^ Alexander, Leigh (June 18, 2009). "German Developer Gaming Minds Formed". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  4. ^ Swindells, Roger. "Mount & Blade: Warband discussion". Amazon UK. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012.
[edit]
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