Gamecock Media Group

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Gamecock Media Group
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedFebruary 12, 2007; 14 years ago (2007-02-12)
Founders
DefunctOctober 14, 2008 (2008-10-14)
FateDissolved
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
,
U.S.
Area served
North America
Key people
Mike Wilson (CEO)
ParentSouthPeak Games (2008)

Gamecock Media Group was an American video game publisher based in Austin, Texas, founded in February 2007 by Mike Wilson, Harry Miller and Rick Stults, formerly founders and executives of Gathering of Developers. The company was acquired by SouthPeak Games in October 2008 and subsequently shut down.

History[]

Founding[]

Gamecock Media Group was founded by Mike Wilson and Harry Miller, alongside Rick Stults.[1] All three had previously co-founded Gathering of Developers in 1998, where they served as chief executive officer (CEO), president and chief financial officer, respectively.[1] Gamecock's existence was announced on February 12, 2007,[2][3][4][5] and coincided with the reveal of the first five games that would be released through Gamecock—Fury by Auran, Insecticide by Crackpot Entertainment, Mushroom Men by Red Fly Studio, Hail to the Chimp by Wideload Games, and Hero by Firefly Studios.[6][7]

Gamecock used a more hands-off approach and allowed developers creative freedom with their work, as well as letting them keep their own intellectual property.[8] For the new company, Wilson was appointed CEO.[9]

2007 Spike Video Game Awards controversy[]

During the 2007 Spike Video Game Awards in Las Vegas, as Ken Levine was about to take the stage and give an acceptance speech for the Game of the Year award for BioShock, Gamecock employees rushed the stage in capes and rooster hats, using the microphone for self-promotion. The interruption resulted in Levine being unable to talk before he was ushered off-stage. Gamecock CEO Wilson later apologized.[10]

Acquisition and closure[]

On October 14, 2008, Gamecock was acquired by SouthPeak Games. Subsequently, Gamecock's Austin operations were closed,[11] and all outstanding games were transferred to SouthPeak, with the Gamecock brand being retired.[12]

Games published[]

Year Title Platform(s)
2007 Fury Microsoft Windows
Dementium: The Ward Nintendo DS
2008 Insecticide Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS
Stronghold Crusader Extreme Microsoft Windows
Hail to the Chimp PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball Xbox 360
Legendary Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Mushroom Men Nintendo DS, Wii

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Former GODs Erect Gamecock - IGN" – via www.ign.com.
  2. ^ Arendt, Susan (February 12, 2007). "Gamecock Pushes Small Developer Agenda". Wired – via www.wired.com.
  3. ^ Levine, Robert (February 12, 2007). "Upstart Video Game Publisher to Focus on Small Developers". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Former G.O.D. executives launch independent publisher". GamesIndustry.biz.
  5. ^ "GOD execs found Gamecock".
  6. ^ "Gamecock: former 'G.O.D.' heads launch indie-friendly publisher". Engadget.
  7. ^ Jenkins, David. "Gamasutra - G.O.D. Execs Launch New Publisher "Gamecock"". www.gamasutra.com.
  8. ^ "From God To Cock: Mike Wilson On GameCock's Publishing Party". www.gamasutra.com.
  9. ^ "Founders of GOD launch Gamecock". February 12, 2007.
  10. ^ "Gamecock sorry about crashing Ken Levine's VGA speech". Engadget.
  11. ^ "[Page 2] Interview: Mike Wilson". Engadget.
  12. ^ Alexander, Leigh. "Gamecock, G.O.D. Veterans Form Devolver Digital". www.gamasutra.com.
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