PopTop Software

PopTop Software Inc. was an American video game developer based in Fenton, Missouri. Founded by Phil Steinmeyer in 1993, the studio began as a one-person operation creating the real-time strategy game Iron Cross and co-developing early Heroes of Might and Magic titles with New World Computing. After adopting the PopTop Software name in 1996, Steinmeyer expanded the team and secured a deal with MicroProse to develop Railroad Tycoon II. In 1998, PopTop became a founding member of Gathering of Developers, a developer-centric publisher, which released Railroad Tycoon II and its expansion The Second Century, followed by Tropico and Railroad Tycoon 3. Take-Two Interactive acquired Gathering of Developers in May 2000 and PopTop Software in July 2000 for approximately US$5.8 million in stock. Under Take-Two, PopTop was placed under the 2K Games label in 2005 and released Shattered Union that same year. In March 2006, Take-Two announced that PopTop Software had been merged into Firaxis Games, another 2K Games studio, ending its independent brand identity. PopTop's legacy rests on its contributions to the strategy and simulation genres, particularly the Railroad Tycoon and Tropico series.

PopTop Software was founded in 1993 by Phil Steinmeyer, a former business software programmer who turned to game development. His first project, Iron Cross, was largely a solo effort and was completed with New World Computing, releasing in 1994 as one of the first real-time strategy games. Steinmeyer continued collaborating with New World Computing on Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest (1995) and Heroes of Might and Magic II (1996). In 1996, he formally adopted the PopTop Software name and began hiring artists and designers for an independent project. Seeking to develop a sequel to Railroad Tycoon, Steinmeyer contacted MicroProse and quickly reached an agreement. However, The 3DO Company acquired New World Computing and exited third-party publishing, leaving PopTop without a publisher. In January 1998, PopTop became a founding member of Gathering of Developers, a developer-centric publisher formed by six studios. Railroad Tycoon II, the first release from Gathering of Developers, launched in November 1998, followed by the expansion The Second Century in April 1999. Take-Two Interactive acquired Gathering of Developers in May 2000 and announced the acquisition of PopTop Software on July 24, 2000, in a stock deal valued at approximately US$5.8 million. Steinmeyer remained studio president. PopTop continued working with Gathering of Developers on Tropico and Railroad Tycoon 3. Steinmeyer left in late 2004 and founded New Crayon Games in May 2005. On January 25, 2005, Take-Two opened the 2K Games publishing label to manage most of its studios, including PopTop. PopTop released Shattered Union in 2005. On March 8, 2006, Take-Two announced that PopTop Software had been merged into Firaxis Games, another 2K Games studio, ending its separate existence.

• 2006

  Merged into Firaxis Games on March 8.

• 2005

  Placed under 2K Games label; releases Shattered Union.

• 2000

  Take-Two Interactive acquires PopTop Software on July 24 for approximately US$5.8 million in stock.

• 1999

  The Second Century expansion pack released in April.

• 1998

  Becomes a founding member of Gathering of Developers; Railroad Tycoon II released in November.

• 1996

  Adopts the PopTop Software name and begins hiring for independent project.

• 1995

  Co-develops Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest with New World Computing.

• 1994

  Iron Cross released as one of the first real-time strategy games.

• 1993

  Phil Steinmeyer starts the company, creating Iron Cross.

Strategy and simulation game developer known for the Railroad Tycoon and Tropico series.

• 1994

  Iron Cross

  One of the first real-time strategy games, developed mostly by Phil Steinmeyer and finished with New World Computing.

• 1995

  Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest

  Co-developed with New World Computing.

• 1996

  Heroes of Might and Magic II

  Co-developed with New World Computing.

• 1998

  Railroad Tycoon II

  First release from Gathering of Developers; published in November 1998.

• 1999

  Railroad Tycoon II: The Second Century

  Expansion pack released in April 1999.

• Tropico

  Developed by PopTop Software and published by Gathering of Developers.

• Railroad Tycoon 3

  Developed by PopTop Software and published by Gathering of Developers.

• 2005

  Shattered Union

  Released under the 2K Games label.

1. 1PopTop Software - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2PopTorso Introduces DollsCastle's 'Midna' Twilight Princessavn.com