GarageGames hits the big time

Conglomerate behind Ticketmaster, Ask.com acquires majority stake in Marble Blast Ultra developer, announces Web browser-based game service InstantAction.com.

There are few studios more closely associated with independent game development than GarageGames. The Eugene, Oregon-based company is the creator of the inexpensive, indie-friendly Torque game engine. It develops its own games, publishes those of other indie developers, and even runs the annual Indie Games Con.

Now the company is moving out of the garage. It has sold a majority stake in the operation to IAC, the international conglomerate that owns dozens of brands, including Ticketmaster, LendingTree, Match.com, and Ask.com. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In a post on the company's forums, GarageGames CEO Josh Williams acknowledged that his team sold away much of the company's future economic rights. However, the structure of the deal means GarageGames will retain control over its own operations. He also explained the reason behind selling any part of the company away.

"[We've] never had the resources at hand to fundamentally change the game and carve out new space that'd really help developers be successful," Williams said. "With IAC, that is exactly what we're doing now. We've been dreaming of a new, better way to develop, distribute, and play games online for a few years now, and we've been working on the technology to support that dream for a couple years, behind the scenes."

That technology will be part of InstantAction.com, a new site that promises to deliver a wealth of Web browser-based games from a variety of studios. A placeholder site is currently up, but interested gamers can submit their e-mail addresses for inclusion in the upcoming private beta test.

18 Comments

  • arc_salvo

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 1:38 am PT

    Awesome! It's about time these guys got some recognition. I'm hoping they'll be tapped to make Tribes 3 for its fans, and that they bring much needed innovation to the gaming industry.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 7:46 pm PT

    Hmm maybe we can get some really solid flash games and browser based games again it was popular for a while but its been pretty dry lately in terms of solid content games :S

  • Dizinger

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 7:23 pm PT

    I hope this means good things of independent developers and the Torque engine. GarageGames produces good games. I appreciate how very supportive they are. They are an asset to the gaming world. Go Ducks!

  • CrushedGroove

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 7:19 pm PT

    Always good to see studios who still care about the games more than the money make it big. Congratulations and best wishes.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 6:01 pm PT

    Good luck to all them

  • Farzan777

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 4:03 pm PT

    Great for them. They are a great developer, but I wish they made a sequel to Marble Blast Ultra or atleast new maps

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 4:00 pm PT

    That's great. GarageGames is a great developer, but I just don't think they have the funds or human resources to hit full potential. They're made from ex-Dynamix employees. TRIBES 3 HERE WE COME!!!!!! I mean Legions, their spiritual successor to tribes!

  • jknight5422

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 3:46 pm PT

    I guess they won't be doing anymore XBLA games. I hated the last couple of maps for Marble Blast Ultra...far too hard.

  • therejectx

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 3:42 pm PT

    cool, good decision in my opinion.

  • pandaramaster

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 3:35 pm PT

    Oh cool, Garage Games deserve this after their hard work and sacrifice from leaving the easy way out to follow their dream of helping wannabe programmers. Kudos

  • metalsonicgc2k4

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 3:26 pm PT

    Good for them, I hope it helps them develop even better games

    I like Marble Blast Ultra, it's my favorite original XBLA game

  • dkpunk

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 3:21 pm PT

    Go BEAVS!!! j/k - dn3datomiced. Really cool to see these guys get the recognition they deserve.

  • Funkyhamster

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 3:11 pm PT

    Heh... finally the guys who were partly responsible for Tennis Critters are getting some recognition.

  • dn3datomiced

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 2:51 pm PT

    Woohoo! Go Eugene, Oregon! I'm totally stoked to hear GarageGames has gotten a piece of the pie, so to speak.

    Go Ducks! >_>

  • retrofraction12

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 2:42 pm PT

    just make a cheep mmo thats goood.

  • themyth01

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 2:33 pm PT

    Finish the new Tribes game already.

  • Willy105

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 2:31 pm PT

    I want to see what it is about before I give my address away.

  • SephirothsAngel

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 2:19 pm PT

    I stuck my e-mail address in, should be interesting to see what this instantaction.om is all about.

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