Aspyr Media has made several announcements today, including a Mac OS X version of The Sims, which is slated for release as early as next week, and newly formed distribution agreements with Mac game developers Pangea Software and Freeverse Software that will bring titles such as Cro-Mag Rally, iPuppet Classic Cards and Ottomatic to the company's online store.

The Mac OS X version of The Sims, which has been in development at Westlake Interactive for several months, will be released as early as next week as a free update for current owners of the game. Alongside the Mac OS X version will be new updates for the Classic versions of both The Sims and The Sims: Livin' Large.

The company also announced a new distribution agreement with Pangea Software. Cro-Mag Rally and Bugdom are now available for order from Aspyr Media's online store. Ottomatic, Pangea Software's 3D action/adventure game currently in development for Classic and Mac OS X, will be distributed by Aspyr Media and is expected for release later this year.

Aspyr Media has also formed a new relationship with Freeverse Software, an independent Mac game developer best known for its card games. The company will distribute Freeverse Software's iPuppet Classic Cards, featuring games of Hearts, Spades, Euchre and Pitch that can be played in single- or multi-player modes. Additionally, players will be able to easily add their own image to the game and see themselves sitting around a virtual card table playing games. iPuppet Classic Cards is currently in beta testing and will be available later this year.

Aspyr indicated that expansion pack The Sims: House Party would be released on July 23rd.

Titles the company is demonstrating during this week's Macworld Conference & Expo New York 2001 include Escape from Monkey Island, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, Tomb Raider: Chronicles, American McGee's Alice, The Sims: House Party, The Sims for Mac OS X, Ottomatic and iPuppet Classic Cards.

by MacNN Staff