# MicroProse

> American video game company

**Wikidata**: [Q652421](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q652421)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroProse)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/microprose

## Summary
MicroProse is an American video game developer founded in 1982 by Bill Stealey and Sid Meier. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, the company is a significant entity in the video game industry, recognized for developing titles such as *Darklands* (1992). While the original company was dissolved in 2001, the brand maintains a digital presence and is associated with a library of classic and modern video game software.

## Key Facts
- **Founding:** MicroProse was founded in **1982** by **Bill Stealey** and **Sid Meier**.
- **Headquarters:** The company was based in **Hunt Valley, Maryland**, United States.
- **Industry:** It operated within the **video game industry** as a **video game developer** and producer of **software**.
- **Dissolution:** The entity was dissolved, abolished, or demolished in **2001**.
- **Key Personnel:** Sid Meier served as a director or manager.
- **Developed Titles:** The company developed *Darklands* (1992).
- **Associated Titles:** The brand is related to *Master of Orion* (1993) and *Carrier Command 2* (2021).
- **Organizational Divisions:** Divisions included MicroProse-Spectrum HoloByte UK-Europe, MicroPlay Software, and MicroStyle.

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded MicroProse?
A: MicroProse was founded in 1982 by Bill Stealey and Sid Meier.

### Q: When did MicroProse cease operations?
A: According to structural records, MicroProse was dissolved in 2001.

### Q: What are some video games associated with MicroProse?
A: The company developed *Darklands* (1992) and is related to *Master of Orion* (1993) and *Carrier Command 2* (2021).

### Q: Where was MicroProse headquartered?
A: The company's headquarters were located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, in the United States.

## Why It Matters
MicroProse holds a distinct place in video game history as a foundational developer co-founded by industry legend Sid Meier. During its operational years (1982–2001), the company contributed significantly to the video game industry, particularly in the strategy and simulation genres. By producing enduring titles like *Darklands* and associating with franchises like *Master of Orion*, MicroProse helped define PC gaming mechanics that influenced future game design. The company's legacy is preserved through its extensive catalog, which remains cataloged in major gaming databases and digital archives. Its identity as an American software powerhouse from Hunt Valley serves as a benchmark for early independent game development studios.

## Notable For
- **Founding Figures:** Established by Bill Stealey and Sid Meier, pivotal figures in computer gaming history.
- **Classic Development:** Credited with the development of the 1992 RPG *Darklands*.
- **Industry Longevity:** Maintained operations from 1982 through 2001, spanning the golden age of PC gaming.
- **Corporate Structure:** Possessed a complex organizational structure with divisions such as MicroPlay Software and MicroStyle.
- **Modern Presence:** The brand maintains an active website and social media presence (e.g., Twitter) as of recent records, indicating ongoing brand relevance.

## Body

### Corporate History and Foundation
MicroProse was established in **1982** in the **United States**. The founding team consisted of **Bill Stealey** and **Sid Meier**, who also acted as a **director/manager**. The company's physical headquarters were situated in **Hunt Valley**. The company operated as a **video game developer** and produced **software** for nearly two decades before being dissolved in **2001**.

### Key Video Game Titles
The company specialized in creating video games for personal computers.
*   **Darklands (1992):** Explicitly listed as a video game created and developed by MicroProse.
*   **Master of Orion (1993):** A related video game title associated with the entity.
*   **Carrier Command 2 (2021):** A modern video game title listed as related to the MicroProse entity.

### Organizational Structure and Divisions
MicroProse expanded its operations through several organizational divisions, including:
*   **MicroProse-Spectrum HoloByte UK-Europe**
*   **MicroPlay Software**
*   **MicroStyle**

### Identifiers and Recognition
The entity is tracked across numerous knowledge bases and archives:
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n93077337
*   **GND ID:** 4373044-9
*   **MobyGames Company ID:** 10
*   **Crunchbase Organization ID:** microprose
*   **Official Website:** http://www.microprose.com/ / https://www.microprose.com/

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "MicroProse",
  "alternateName": ["MicroProse Software", "MicroProse公司"],
  "description": "American video game developer founded in 1982 by Bill Stealey and Sid Meier.",
  "url": "https://www.microprose.com/",
  "foundingDate": "1982",
  "dissolutionDate": "2001",
  "founders": [
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "name": "Bill Stealey"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "name": "Sid Meier"
    }
  ],
  "nationality": "United States",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressLocality": "Hunt Valley",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroProse",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1192808",
    "https://www.mobygames.com/company/10/microprose-inc/"
  ]
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. MicroProse-Spectrum HoloByte UK-Europe. MobyGames
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. National Software Reference Library
7. Quora
8. [Source](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/MicroProse?oldid=1965014)
9. [MicroProse | Memory Alpha, das Star-Trek-Wiki | Fandom](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/de/wiki/MicroProse)
10. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/MicroProse-KDD8K)
11. VideoGameGeek