GameFly, Shacknews shack up

Today saw the announcement of one of the more unanticipated game-industry buyouts in recent memory. This morning, Los Angeles-based console-game rental service GameFly announced that it had bought Shacknews Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. Shacknews owns both its eponymous game-information site and...

Today saw the announcement of one of the more unanticipated game-industry buyouts in recent memory. This morning, Los Angeles-based console-game rental service GameFly announced that it had bought Shacknews Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. Shacknews owns both its eponymous game-information site and Fileshack, a popular download hub of PC-game content.

Though the buyout shocked many observers, executives from the two companies played it off as the perfect meeting of the minds. "Shacknews and FileShack are a perfect fit for GameFly as we continue to expand and diversify our offering," declared GameFly CEO David Hodess in a statement. Steve Gibson, who founded Shacknews in 1995, was full of similarly effusive praise. "We are confident [GameFly] will protect the legacy 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."

The news announcement offered few clues as to where Shacknews might expand, with GameFly saying only that it would be "offering technology and infrastructure resources to support additional reach and scale." Thankfully, the deal will not result in any layoffs. GameFly said it plans on retaining the editorial team of its new subsidiary.

12 Comments

  • Shmoe82

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 6:05 pm PT

    Thats pretty awesome. Gamefly was a great way to rent games so I hope they do well with these newly aquired companies.

  • Gamer_4_Fun

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 2:45 am PT

    ok

  • doctor_kaz

    Posted Feb 5, 2009 11:32 am PT

    Wouldn't it be great if gamefly gets set up to rent PC games with a download license similar to how you can rent console games. I'd sign up for that in a heartbeat.

  • gameweasl

    Posted Feb 5, 2009 4:30 am PT

    I love me some Game Fly!!! Best place to rent games....

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Feb 5, 2009 1:57 am PT

    Coolios!

  • MasterD3d

    Posted Feb 4, 2009 8:49 pm PT

    cool beans
    I think I might sign up if you can download PC games

  • halomonkey1_3_5

    Posted Feb 4, 2009 6:25 pm PT

    if this means gamefly starts letting me download PC games with my subscription then i may just have to reactivate my account...

  • somberfox

    Posted Feb 4, 2009 5:39 pm PT

    Sooo.... potential GameTap competitor with an online pc game rental service?

  • Trigun1

    Posted Feb 4, 2009 5:16 pm PT

    I have been a gamefly customer for 8 months and completely satisfied with the service. I now maybe buy 1-3 games a year and rent all the rest. I have 3 games out at a time and it is perfect for me. I usually have some new game always coming to me. I think that it is awesome that they are expanding.

  • jrabbit99

    Posted Feb 4, 2009 4:46 pm PT

    Maybe this will pave the way to help them expand to rent PC games also

  • Jabagg

    Posted Feb 4, 2009 4:36 pm PT

    This sounds like an opportunity for GameFly to expand to the downloading business.

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!