Game rental site GameFly has purchased pioneering PC gaming community Shacknews.
GameFly, the online game rental service, snapped up Shacknews and its affiliate FileShack for an undisclosed sum a few days ago. “The Shack” has grown since its founding in 1995 from a community of dedicated PC gamers to a thriving gaming destination while the seven year-old GameFly is becomng the leader in videogame rentals as competitor Blockbuster has continued to decline.
“Shacknews.com and FileShack.com are a perfect fit for GameFly as we continue to expand and diversify our offering,” says David Hodess, GameFly CEO. “With its avid, engaged community and commitment to providing an independent voice for gamers seeking the most accurate and up-to-date news and information, it goes to the core of our vision as a company, which is to be the ultimate resource for the entire gaming community.”
“When I started Shacknews fourteen years ago, I couldn’t have dreamed it would grow to become what it is today,” said Shacknews founder Steve Gibson. “GameFly has demonstrated a true understanding of and commitment to the authentic gaming culture. We are confident they will protect the legacy and community 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 pairing is a surprise, and it’s likely that GameFly will use the partnership to supply their rental service with gaming news and editorials to build its online fan base. The only change Shacknews members should expect are “Crazy Commercial Outfit” Fridays.
