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RealNetworks Swallows Gamehouse

Posted by simoniker on from the gulp-and-digest dept.

BileDog writes "RealNetworks today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Seattle-based GameHouse, Inc., a top developer, publisher and distributor of downloadable PC games, in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $35.6 million. Seems that online 'casual gaming' creators are starting to consolidate in a similar way to their offline counterparts." PC World has further comments on this deal, explaining: "RealNetworks' RealArcade competes with products such as Microsoft's MSN Games, Yahoo Games, and Pogo.com from Electronic Arts", and including an analyst's comments that: "By acquiring GameHouse, RealNetworks now has control over the content and no longer has to depend on what third parties develop." Apparently, full control over Thomas Kinkade online jigsaws is pretty important in reaching the true mass market.

3 of 17 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Well, there goes the neighbourhood. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "It's like that homeless gentleman that keeps asking me for copper coins outside the tube station; no matter how many times I push him down, he keeps getting back up again."

    Compassion at it's finest ;)

  2. The real question is... by superultra · · Score: 2, Funny

    Apparently, full control over Thomas Kinkade online jigsaws is pretty important in reaching the true mass market.

    When completed do the online jigsaws seemingly change from day to night if you lower your monitor's brightness? ;)

  3. My Prediction by Osmosis_Garett · · Score: 2, Funny

    It wont be long before (buffering...)the 'casual game' market (buffering...) leaks into (buffering...) the 'hardcore game' mar(buffering...)ket.