GameSpy - Corporate History

Corporate History

In 1996 Quake was released, one of the first 3D multiplayer action games to allow play over the internet. In 1996, Jack Mathews, Tim Cook, and Joe Powell form Spy Software and create QSpy to allow easy searching of internet-based multiplayer Quake game servers. The software was soon updated to include games other than Quake, and renamed from QSpy to GameSpy. In 1997, Corporate strategist Mark Surfas licensed GameSpy 3D from Spy Software, and creates GameSpy Industries. In 1999, GameSpy receives angel investment funding from entrepreneur David Berkus. The company also releases MP3Spy.com (later renamed RadioSpy.com), a software browser allowing people to browse and connect to online radio feeds, such as those using Nullsoft's SHOUTcast. GameSpy received $3 million in additional funding from the Yucaipa Companies, an investment group headed by Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz and Southern California supermarket billionaire Ronald Burkle. GameSpy quickly reached profitability. In 2000, GameSpy received additional investment funding from the Ziff-Davis publishing division ZDNet.com and from Guillemot Corporation. GameSpy shuts down its RadioSpy division, backing away from the online music market which was dominated by peer-to-peer applications such as Napster and Gnutella. GameSpy releases GameSpy Arcade. In December 2000, GameSpy purchased Roger Wilco, MPlayer.com and various assets from HearMe, Inc. The MPlayer service is shut down and the RogerWilco technology is improved and incorporated into GameSpy Arcade. In 2001, GameSpy's corporate technology business grew to include Software development kits (SDK) and middleware for video game consoles, such as Sony's PlayStation 2, Sega's Dreamcast and Microsoft's Xbox. GameSpy was acquired by IGN Entertainment in March 2004.