ASCARON Entertainment GmbH

Ascaron was a computer game company headquartered in Gütersloh, Germany. The company was founded in 1991 under the name Ascon by Holger Flöttmann and developed entertainment software for the German market for 18 years, with games franchises like Patrician, Port Royale, Anstoss (On the Ball) and Sacred. Later it also became known for its publishing and distribution activities.

In August 2001, the company went into administration for the first time. However, the reestablishment of the company keeping all IPRs and brands made it possible for Ascaron to continue its operative business and to survive.

In July 2002, Ascaron expanded by opening a wholly-owned subsidiary, Studio II Software in the University City, Aachen (Germany) and in September 2002, the first international office, Ascaron Entertainment (UK) Ltd. with its main office in Birmingham, was founded.

After many years of continuity the company got into financial difficulties once more. According to a spokesman of Ascaron this was due to immense costs and extended time for the development of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. On 14 April 2009, Ascaron Entertainment went into administration again. This time, the company did not recover and negotiations began with "several well-known interested parties" to discuss a positive takeover.

In June 2009, Kalypso Media acquired the majority of licenses and assets of company when the firm entered insolvency. Among the intellectual properties acquired were Port Royale, Darkstar One, Anstoss (On the Ball) and Patrician. However, certain titles distributed online by Strategy First since 2008 would remain with the latter.

On 18 June 2009, it was announced that fifteen former employees of Ascaron would be part of Kalypso's newly acquired studio Gaming Minds Studios.

The Sacred intellectual property would be fully acquired by its European publisher, Koch Media, following the release of the last ASCARON-branded title, Sacred 2: Ice & Blood in August 2009.