Apogee Software, founded in 1987, is a video game development company known for its role in the early days of PC gaming. It gained popularity for creating shareware titles, allowing players to try games before purchasing the full version. One of its most famous games is Duke Nukem, which became a significant franchise in the gaming industry. In the 1990s, Apogee Software transitioned to become 3D Realms, focusing on developing and publishing games. The company is recognized for its contributions to the first-person shooter genre and has influenced many modern game developers. Apogee continues to be a notable name in gaming history.