GarageGames to Focus on In-browser 3D Gaming; Majority Stake Acquired by IAC

GarageGames plans to announce today it will be working with interactive media company IAC/InterActiveCorp on a new service providing in-browser 3D action gaming. The move is part of a deal that sees billionaire Barry Diller's IAC take a majority stake in the developer. The Wall Street Journal broke the news early; Shacknews has verified its accuracy with GarageGames. Currently, the InstantAction website consists of only a form to submit an email address to be kept updated with news regarding the service. The company plans to launch a test program before the official launch early next year. Shacknews has learned that though GarageGames is spearheading the effort and developing a browser-based gaming platorm, several other notable developers have signed on as well. The studio plans to elaborate on its plans in the near future. It may make further announcements at its yearly IndieGamesCon event to be held October 10-11. In recent months, the company has more than quintupled its staff, allowing it to retain its existing Torque support while taking a more proactive role in original game development. GarageGames was founded in 2000 by former Dynamix developers responsible for multiplayer classic Starsiege: Tribes. Best known for its PC and Xbox 360 Torque game development tools, which recently expanded to Wii, it also developed the Xbox Live Arcade game Marble Blast Ultra.