Mean Hamster Software, Inc. is a video game developer

Video game developer

A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...

 founded by John Swiderski

John Swiderski

John Swiderski founded Mean Hamster Software in 1985 at the age of 10.Swiderski was developing Commodore 64 games, and later Amiga games for the shareware market as lead programmer. John took a hiatus from programming in 1993 when Commodore went bankrupt and opened a retail computer store in Deer...

 in 1985. Mean Hamster Software created several games for the Atari 5200

Atari 5200

The Atari 5200 SuperSystem, commonly known as the Atari 5200, is a video game console that was introduced in 1982 by Atari Inc. as a higher end complementary console for the popular Atari 2600...

 from 1999-2004. They then created Myst

Myst

Myst is a graphic adventure video game designed and directed by the brothers Robyn and Rand Miller. It was developed by Cyan , a Spokane, Washington––based studio, and published and distributed by Brøderbund. The Millers began working on Myst in and released it for the Mac OS computer on September...

for Windows Mobile in 2005, and after the release of Riven: The Sequel to Myst

Riven

Riven is a puzzle adventure game and the sequel to Myst. Developed by Cyan Worlds, it was initially published by Brøderbund. Riven was distributed on five compact discs and released on October 29, 1997, in North America; it was later released on a single DVD-ROM, with improved audio and a...

for Pocket PC in 2006, Mean Hamster began work on its first casual game

Casual game

A casual game is a video game targeted at or used by a mass audience of casual gamers. Casual games can have any type of gameplay, and fit in any genre. They are typically distinguished by their simple rules and lack of commitment required in contrast to more complex hardcore games...

s. The company is located in Deer Park, Washington

Deer Park, Washington

Deer Park is a city in Spokane County, Washington, in the United States. The population was 3,652 at the 2010 census.-History:Deer Park was officially incorporated on June 24, 1908. Deer Park got its name when railroad surveyors saw deer grazing in the area. Deer Park was settled in 1889 when a...

 (just outside Spokane, WA).

In 2006, Mean Hamster Software acquired the rights to the Exidy

Exidy

Exidy was one of the largest creators of arcade video games during the early period of video games, from 1974 until at least 1986 . The company was founded by H.R."Pete" Kauffman...

 catalog, which includes titles such as Crossbow

Crossbow (video game)

Crossbow is a video arcade game released by Exidy in 1983. It was later published by Absolute Entertainment for the Commodore 64, DOS and by Atari for the 2600, 7800 and XE Game System starting in 1987.-Description:...

, Venture and Mouse Trap.

Casual game development

In 2007, Mean Hamster began work on casual games and partnered with PlayFirst

PlayFirst

PlayFirst is a San Francisco-based publisher of casual games. The company’s mission is to deliver delightful games for everybody, every day. PlayFirst was founded in 2004 by industry veterans...

 to produce a casual game entitled Pet Shop Hop which was released in March 2008. From there, Mean Hamster partnered with Big Fish Games

Big Fish Games

Big Fish Games is a provider of Internet media delivery software and game services based in Seattle, Washington. The company was founded in 2002 by Paul Thelen , and currently employs more than 400 people...

, Namco

Namco

is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...

, and Mesmo, Inc. to develop more titles. Games developed by Mean Hamster Software include:

• Everything Nice (April 2, 2009)
• Ye Olde Sandwich Shoppe(May 27, 2009)
• Passport to Perfume (July 21, 2009)
• Cat Wash (November 13, 2009)
• Vegas Nights (Facebook)(May 15, 2010)
• Remarkable Farkle (August 1st, 2010)
• Crossbow
  Crossbow (video game)
  Crossbow is a video arcade game released by Exidy in 1983. It was later published by Absolute Entertainment for the Commodore 64, DOS and by Atari for the 2600, 7800 and XE Game System starting in 1987.-Description:...
  
   for iPhone
  IPhone
  The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
  
  (September 9th, 2010)
• Sushi Quiz (November 21st, 2010)
• Hospitopia(January 10, 2011)
• Vegas Nights (GSN) (April, 2011)
• Lizzie's Royal Dinner (April, 2011)
• Mother Nature
  Mother Nature
  Mother Nature is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother. Images of women representing mother earth, and mother nature, are timeless...
  
  (Coming Soon!)

Mean Hamster Software was named one of Washington State's "Top Video Game Developers" in the September 2008 Issue of Washington CEO magazine.

External links

• Mean Hamster official website
• Games developed by Mean Hamster from MobyGames
  MobyGames
  -Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...