Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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.

2 of 17 comments (clear)

  1. Quantity not Quality by superpulpsicle · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Realnetworks have just invested millions into a fancy website that allows you to download pacman, tetris and solitaire.

    I am not saying these games are not fun, I am just saying these games don't wow anybody in 2004.

  2. Real(ly awful) Networks by bear+pimp · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If Doom III and Half Life 2 were only available via Real Networks, I wouldn't buy them. I find Real Networks strategy of installing an enormous (spyware?) app on your computer to be particularly awful. Anyone else noticed how on download.com they advertise all the games as a free download, but you actually are just downloading their free game browser? Most if not all the games available on Real Networks are available from the original developer (who only receives 20% of the profits not including any associated costs from Real Networks, i.e: they receive next to nothing) So find out who that is, and go and buy a game from them if you like it. That way, you will at least be supporting further game development from a game company you like, instead of a bunch of gutless middle men. You'll also have the bonus that you don't have to install the stupid real networks game browser application.