GarageGames to Focus on In-browser 3D Gaming; Majority Stake Acquired by IAC

September 17, 2007 10:55 PM

GarageGames plans to announce today it will be working with interactive media company IAC/InterActiveCorp on a new service providing in-browser 3D action gaming. The move is part of a deal that sees billionaire Barry Diller's IAC take a majority stake in the developer. The Wall Street Journal broke the news early; Shacknews has verified its accuracy with GarageGames.

Currently, the InstantAction website consists of only a form to submit an email address to be kept updated with news regarding the service. The company plans to launch a test program before the official launch early next year.

Shacknews has learned that though GarageGames is spearheading the effort and developing a browser-based gaming platorm, several other notable developers have signed on as well. The studio plans to elaborate on its plans in the near future. It may make further announcements at its yearly IndieGamesCon event to be held October 10-11.

In recent months, the company has more than quintupled its staff, allowing it to retain its existing Torque support while taking a more proactive role in original game development. GarageGames was founded in 2000 by former Dynamix developers responsible for multiplayer classic Starsiege: Tribes. Best known for its PC and Xbox 360 Torque game development tools, which recently expanded to Wii, it also developed the Xbox Live Arcade game Marble Blast Ultra.

Chris Remo

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SiW73

 reply
September 17, 2007 10:58 PM

Holy shit. Are they abandoning Torque? When you use language like "to focus on", that's what it sounds like.
- Chris Remo
  
   reply
  September 17, 2007 11:04 PM
  
  No, not at all
- d3tached
  
   reply
  September 17, 2007 11:04 PM
  
  Nope, we have grown considerably the last few months to insure that we can continue to support Torque while pursuing everything else we have wanted to do.
  
  Torque X 3d support should be in beta around next month and we recently started licensing Torque for Wii so engine dev is going strong.
  - timaste
    
     reply
    September 17, 2007 11:06 PM
    
    Definitely not, this is just letting us do more things, Detached is 100% right. We love the Torque.
  - Lotus
    
     reply
    September 17, 2007 11:07 PM
    
    Good to hear you are growing. I've been a big fan since the introduction of Torque2D and couldn't agree more with in-browser game development.
  - SiW73
    
     reply
    September 17, 2007 11:11 PM
    
    Excellent news. Still think the article title is misleading then :)
    
    I've been pretty open about my feelings on Torque's development, but I'm glad to see you guys are going from strength to strength.
    - timaste
      
       reply
      September 17, 2007 11:15 PM
      
      We're definitely getting better over time. Like Zach said, the Torque X 3D stuff is going beta in the near future and is pretty kick ass, in addition to some cool developments for Torque core.
    - d3tached
      
       reply
      September 17, 2007 11:15 PM
      
      We welcome the criticism and take it to heart :) We aren't going to be making any other announcements until IGC but i think even are harshest critics are going to be surprised what we have in store.
      - timaste
        
         reply
        September 17, 2007 11:16 PM
        
        IAWTP
      - SiW73
        
         reply
        September 17, 2007 11:31 PM
        
        Yeah, I gotta stress that "it's not you, it's me" - when I first got a license it felt like one guy could still make it, with GG backing. You - and the industry - just exploded past where I was at at the time.
  - imperator
    
     reply
    September 18, 2007 12:18 AM
    
    you guys should take a serious look at unity, they will be your biggest competitor i suspect.
  - sphinx
    
     reply
    September 18, 2007 11:05 AM
    
    When is the Eugene Game Dev Block Party happening? Do I have to get this stuff started or what?
    - timaste
      
       reply
      September 18, 2007 1:43 PM
      
      You don't have to convince me to consume booze...I'm there!
    - munge69
      
       reply
      September 18, 2007 9:57 PM
      
      I don't know.. I kept forgetting to email everyone about it. I sent out an announcement at GG about it today, so we'll see what happens. Help planning would definitely be appreciated, though.
      - timaste
        
         reply
        September 19, 2007 12:06 AM
        
        Email me at tima@garagegames, chances are it didn't get around unless you hit the right person. Slackers here...
        
        munge69
        
         reply
        September 19, 2007 4:09 PM
        
        This is Thomas, dumbass.
        
        ;P
        
        timaste
        
         reply
        September 19, 2007 6:37 PM
        
        Yeah I saw your email this morning and it all started to make sense