// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Paragon Software a role model? It's a paragon.
| Formerly | Customized Software Systems (1985-1986) Microsphere Corporation (1986-1987) Paragon Software Corporation (1987-1992) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | December 12, 1985 |
| Founders | |
| Defunct | September 30, 1993 |
| Fate | Publishing business merged into MicroProse Assets became Take-Two Interactive |
| Successor | Take-Two Interactive |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of employees | 19 (1992) |
| Parent | MicroProse (1992-1993) |
Paragon Software Corporation was an American video game developer based in Greensburg, Pennsylvania that was originally formed on December 12, 1985 as Customized Software Systems by Mark E. Seremet and Antony Davies, with backing from John Antinori, and it was renamed to Paragon Software in 1986.[1] The company was later sold to MicroProse in 1992.[2]
The company was best known for games developed around licenses from Marvel Comics,[3] including The Amazing Spider-Man and Captain America in Dr. Doom's Revenge!,[4] and licenses from Game Designers' Workshop, such as the MegaTraveller series.[5]
History
[edit]The company initially started life as Customized Software Systems.[1] The company was initially founded on December 12, 1985 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by Mark E. Seremet and Antony Davies, and specialized on computer software programming.[1]
In 1986, F.J. Lennon joined the company and turned their attention from business software to making video games.[1][6] Davies later quit to pursue his PhD.[7] The company later changed its name from Customized Software Systems to Microsphere Corporation, and eventually settling on Paragon Software in 1987, as the company developed its first video game, Master Ninja: Shadow Warrior of Death.[8]
In early 1988, the company signed a distribution deal with Electronic Arts, in order that Electronic Arts became a distributor for Paragon's titles, but it did not last long.[9]
In mid 1988, the company signed exclusive licensing deals with Game Designers' Workshop and Marvel Comics to develop video games.[10][11] Also in late 1988, the company signed a distribution deal with Medalist Software Group, a division of MicroProse, to distribute their computer game titles.[11]
On July 27, 1992, MicroProse announced that it had acquired Paragon Software, and that the company would be merged into MicroProse as a result of it, and the development team became MicroProse Greensburg.[2] The company had 19 employees at the time.[2]
The studio's final game under the Paragon label, XF5700 Mantis Experimental Fighter, was released under the MicroProse branding on September 2, 1992.[12] The company continued producing games for MicroProse, including BloodNet and Challenge of the Five Realms: Spellbound in the World of Nhagardia.[13]
Many executives later bought back their assets from MicroProse in light of the company's financial troubles, and later reformed it into Take-Two Interactive Software in 1993, and the Greensburg team became Take-Two's development studio.[14][15] Subsequently, MicroProse would sell the Amiga and Macintosh rights to BloodNet and Master of Orion, among other games to Take-Two Interactive in 1994.[16]
Games
[edit]| Year | Title | Publisher(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Master Ninja: Shadow Warrior of Death | Paragon Software |
| Alien Fires: 2199 AD | ||
| 1988 | Twilight's Ransom | |
| Wizard Wars | ||
| Guardians of Infinity: To Save Kennedy | ||
| 1989 | X-Men: Madness in Murderworld | |
| The Amazing Spider-Man and Captain America in Dr. Doom's Revenge! | Paragon Software, Empire Software | |
| 1990 | Space: 1889 | |
| MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy | ||
| The Amazing Spider-Man | Paragon Software | |
| The Punisher | ||
| 1991 | Millennium: Return to Earth | Paragon Software, Empire Software |
| Twilight: 2000 | ||
| MegaTraveller 2: Quest for the Ancients | ||
| Troika | Paragon Software | |
| X-Men II: The Fall of the Mutants | ||
| 1992 | XF5700 Mantis Experimental Fighter | MicroProse |
| Challenge of the Five Realms: Spellbound in the World of Nhagardia | ||
| 1993 | BloodNet |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "The Paragon View". ACE. No. 50. November 1991. pp. 34–36. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Gilmore, Kathy; Bake, Elizabeth (July 27, 1992). "MICROPROSE ACQUIRES PARAGON SOFTWARE". TheFreeLibrary.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (April 14, 2009). "City of Heroes team renamed Paragon Studios". GameSpot. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ↑ IGN Staff (May 8, 2007). "Top 10 Tuesday: Longest Game Titles". IGN. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ↑ McNamara, Tom (December 6, 2004). "Sequels We'd Like to See". IGN. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ↑ Addict, Crpg (January 31, 2020). "The CRPG Addict: Paragon of Suffering: An Interview with F.J. Lennon". The CRPG Addict. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Economics prof. reveals video game-creating past". The Duquesne Duke. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Paragon Introduces New Game". Computer Entertainer. September 1987. p. 3. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Two New Affiliated Labels Sign with Electronic Arts". Computer Entertainer. January 1988. p. 6. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "News from Paragon Software". Computer Entertainer. August 1988. p. 6. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- 1 2 "Paragon Software Now Affiliated with MicroProse". Computer Entertainer. December 1988. p. 8. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Gilmore, Kathy (September 2, 1992). "MICROPROSE RELEASES MANTIS". TheFreeLibrary.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ↑ "Paragon's Progress". Video Games & Computer Entertainment. October 1992. p. 93. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Bloodnet: A conversation with Laura Kampo and John Antinori". StayForever.de. May 3, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Origin Systems, Inc". www.origin.ea.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2003. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Dearth of Mac Gaming". Computer Game Review. August 1994. p. 12. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- 1985 establishments in Pennsylvania
- 1993 disestablishments in Pennsylvania
- Defunct companies based in Pennsylvania
- Software companies based in Pennsylvania
- Video game companies disestablished in 1993
- Video game companies established in 1985
- Video game companies of the United States
- Video game development companies
- American companies disestablished in 1993
- American companies established in 1985