GameFly Acquires Shacknews

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Online rental hub GameFly today announced that it has acquired independent video game website Shacknews.

As part of the deal, GameFly has purchased all related Shacknews destinations, including FileShack. The company plans to maintain the Shacknews editorial staff and direction, and pledged to bolster the site with additional resources.

"GameFly has demonstrated a true understanding of and commitment to Shacknews' gaming culture," said Shacknews founder Steve Gibson, who added that the decision to sell the company was not based on financial problems.

"We are confident GameFly will protect the legacy and community we've established, while at the same time providing much needed resources to expand into new and exciting areas that would not otherwise be possible."

Shacknews was founded in 1995, and has since grown to become one of the largest homes for video game enthusiasts on the internet. Shacknews has more than doubled its readership year over year, while launching a new multimedia site Shackvideo.

"We purchased Shacknews because it's a great site," said GameFly co-founder Sean Spector. "We believe we can help expand its reach--we're not looking to twist and turn the site into something else."

"With its avid, engaged community and commitment to providing an independent voice for gamers seeking the most accurate and up-to-date news and information, it goes to the core of our vision as a company, which is to be the ultimate resource for the entire gaming community," added GameFly CEO David Hodess.

Shack Staff stories are a collective effort with multiple staff members contributing. Many of our lists often involve entires from several editors, and our weekly Shack Chat is something we all contribute to as a group. 

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    February 3, 2009 6:17 PM

    Congrats, Steve!

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      February 3, 2009 6:19 PM

      Sorry, Gamefly!

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      February 3, 2009 6:20 PM

      Yeah congrats! Will you still be involved at all with the site?

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      February 3, 2009 6:23 PM

      serious grats. good business.

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 6:37 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        February 3, 2009 7:17 PM

        Yup. I would've done the same thing, and I'm glad he was able to make that decision.

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          February 3, 2009 9:57 PM

          Yeah, especially in this economy I think this is a good personal move for them, despite whatever the news report says about the sites financial situation.

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 6:41 PM

      I hope you got lots of money (seriously!)

      Too bad he didn't sell shares of the site back when he was taking donations, I would have liked to cash in too. :)

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 6:46 PM

      Ahhh... I guess.

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      February 3, 2009 6:47 PM

      Yeah, no doubt! That's great for you guys; y'all have really put in the work, and deserve a payday.

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      February 3, 2009 6:48 PM

      He can't here you. He and the wifey are buying their first golden toilet

      • jo3 legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        February 3, 2009 6:52 PM

        keyword: first

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 6:49 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 6:54 PM

      IAWTCS!

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 6:58 PM

      This is all your fault cause you left.

      Ok, not really. But the occasion does deserve a song.

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      February 3, 2009 7:00 PM

      Congratualtions steve/maarten.

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      February 3, 2009 7:02 PM

      yeah, seriously great job over these last 15 years guys

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 7:02 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 7:03 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 7:04 PM

      [deleted]

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      February 3, 2009 7:04 PM

      Congrats, hope you guys get to swim in pools of money now!
      P.S. can I come to the money pool party?

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 7:09 PM

      Yes, congratulations to Steve and Maarten, you worked hard to get here.

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      February 3, 2009 7:20 PM

      Congrats indeed! Enjoy your gold medallion of you and Maarten wearing gold medallions!

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 7:21 PM

      Yeah, dunno what else to say. Pretty flabbergasted right here. Hope things stay more or less the same, good game!

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      February 3, 2009 7:23 PM

      Yeah, congratulations.

      I've been anticipating this for a while.

      I'm surprised Steve's stayed independent for so long.

      I REALLY don't want this community to die.

      On the other hand, if it does...my productivity will go WAY UP.

    • meh legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      February 3, 2009 7:49 PM

      congrats Steve and Maarten!

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      February 3, 2009 7:56 PM

      You forgot about Maarten :( Congrats to both of them and everyone else who has helped build and maintain the Shack over the years. They deserve the monies.

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      February 3, 2009 7:57 PM

      <i>"GameFly has demonstrated a true understanding of and commitment to Shacknews' gaming culture," said Shacknews founder Steve Gibson, who added that the decision to sell the company was not based on financial problems.</i>

      heard that before... ask gamefaqs how well that worked out for them...

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 7:58 PM

      Congrats, truly. Well played!

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      February 3, 2009 8:01 PM

      In the words of Lazlo Hollyfeld: "Well then, I'm happy and sad for you."

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      February 3, 2009 9:00 PM

      Congrats, Steve, Maarten and crew.

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      February 3, 2009 9:07 PM

      Congrats!

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 9:14 PM

      I agree. Congrats gentlemen.

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      February 3, 2009 9:15 PM

      Congrats dudes, although I did post just this week "Steve keeps it real" hahha ironic

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      February 3, 2009 9:30 PM

      Congrats and sorry to hear you're leaving!

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 9:58 PM

      Totally, I'm glad it paid off for you finally!

    • reply
      February 3, 2009 10:17 PM

      [deleted]

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      February 3, 2009 11:53 PM

      Congrats man! I remember when I thought you were selling out because you got rid of the forums back in the day. I got banned for whining about that, then I was reinstated years later. I've grown up since then. Anyhow I'm happy for you :) You guys have put in a lot of hard work and it has finally paid off. Well played.

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      February 4, 2009 12:56 AM

      Babehunts and Buffy in the pooper jokes to this. Congrats! :)

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      February 4, 2009 2:00 AM

      Congrats, Steve, hope you made bank. Sorry for ruining your morning update that one time in '98 when I was visiting Wieder :(

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      February 4, 2009 2:20 AM

      grats, and good luck on future endeavors!

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      February 4, 2009 12:42 PM

      sarcasm?

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