In preparation for this week's AspyrWorld in Austin, Texas, famed Mac game publishers Aspyr Media have completely re-designed their ageing website, and, in a bold move to diversify into other markets, have also expanded into both music and DVD distribution.

In what they call a move to become a "premier entertainment publisher", Aspyr expanded beyond their Mac-only publisher roots earlier this year, publishing games for the Mac, PC, and Game Boy Advance. In a further bold move, Aspyr has revealed this week that they will also be distributing DVDs and music CDs from independent filmmakers/artists.

First, over on their gaming side, Aspyr is currently offering two Game Boy Advances titles; Shaun Murray's Wakeboarding Unleashed and the Atari 2600-inspired Activision Anthology. Both games as pre-selling for $29.99 USD. As previously reported in IMG, Aspyr's current PC ports include SpyHunter, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, and Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer, which Aspyr is taking pre-orders for. The former console-only titles are available for $29.99 and $39.99 USD.

More surprising is Aspyr's move into movie and music publishing. Aspyr's new DVD list currently contains three titles from independent, American documentary film makers Eric Saperston, Mike Woolf, and Slacker director Richard Linklater. All three DVDs are region-free, and are retailing for $19.99 USD. Aspyr is taking pre-orders for all three titles.

Over in the music section, Aspyr is listing CDs from independent artists Knife In The Water, Milton Mapes, and The Gourds. Priced at between $10.99 and $19.99 USD, the six albums represent a western mix of music genres, spanning country ballads, country & western-inspired rock-and-roll, and "roots-rock". All six albums are available for pre-order from the website.

While the website re-design is a welcome change to an ageing site, Aspyr's website doesn't give any explanation as to the reason for the company's expansion into entirely new markets. While rumours have already started flying, we expect that the full story will be revealed at the company-sponsored marketing event. Stay tuned to IMG in the days ahead as more news gets revealed.

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