PF Magic

Dogz and Catz
Some of the breeds as featured in the games.
Genres	Virtual pets
Platform of origin	Microsoft Windows
First release	1995

Oddballz
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS 7
Release	Windows: 1996
Genre(s)	Virtual pets
Mode(s)	Single Player

PF Magic was a video game developer founded in 1991 and located in San Francisco, California. Though it developed other types of video games, it was best known for its virtual pet games, such as Dogz and Catz. The company was able to make extra revenue by selling plush toys under the Petz trademark. It was bought out in 1998 by Mindscape, Inc.. After changing hands a few more times Ubisoft now owns the copyright on its Petz, Oddballz and Babyz titles.

One of PF Magic's earliest efforts was the 1994 video game Ballz published by Accolade. The innovative game featured main characters composed completely of spheres. This early game, however, failed in the marketplace, though it would inspire many of their following games, such as Petz.

The company also produced Max Magic, the world’s first electronic magic kit, which represented a breakthrough in interactive 3D character design.Max Magic received numerous prestigious awards for its uniquely intuitive way of entertaining and teaching children and adults about magic.

PF Magic's designer and programmer, Andrew Stern, went on and created an experimental project with Michael Mateas along with others for five years. The project became Façade, a freeware game where you can interact with a couple whose 10-year marriage is in trouble.

PF Magic was born out of a failed hardware venture with AT&T and Sega to build a Sega Genesis accessory called "The Edge", which was to allow for online multiplayer over telephone lines. AT&T pulled out of the venture due to the cost of the device, leaving the company with half their initial funding.