Mean Hamster Software: History and Key Facts

Mean Hamster Software, Inc. was a video game developer founded by John Swiderski in 1985. Mean Hamster Software created several games for the Atari 5200 from 1999-2004. They then created Myst for Windows Mobile in 2005, and after the release of Riven: The Sequel to Myst for Pocket PC in 2006, Mean Hamster began work on its first casual games. The company was located in Deer Park, Washington (just outside Spokane, WA).

In 2006, Mean Hamster Software acquired the rights to the Exidy catalog, which includes titles such as Crossbow, Venture and Mouse Trap.

The company closed its doors and laid off all its remaining employees in September 2012.

Mean Hamster Software announced it's return to development with a new Operating System HamsterOS coming later in 2026.

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