Browser-Based Action Game Network Unveiled

IAC and GarageGames on Tuesday announced InstantAction.com, an action game-oriented gaming network that will be accessible through standard Web browsers.

GarageGames is the company behind the Torque Game Engine, a multiplatform game development tool that has resulted in Mac titles including Marble Blast, ThinkTanks, TubeTwist and others. IAC is the Barry Diller-run global Internet conglomerate comprising Ask.com, Ticketmaster, HSN and more than 60 brands.

The technology will work on Mac and PC browsers both, according to a GarageGames spokesman. The games will enable users to play networked action games without having to download anything locally, and will include single player games as well.

The site is currently in a private beta and is expected to launch publicly in 2008. More announcements about the developers and portfolio of games to be featured on InstantAction.com is coming in the next few weeks.

"We've been looking at the video game sector for years and it wasn't until we found GarageGames and their idea for InstantAction.com that we believed IAC could participate in a true internet innovation in online gaming," said Barry Diller, CEO of IAC.

GarageGames created the original idea for InstantAction.com early this year. The idea so impressed IAC that they've acquired a majority stake in GarageGames' equity. GarageGames will continue to build out the InstantAction network as the company remains in Eugene, Ore. Part of their plan is to foster a new generation of game development by launching a "Game Development Fund" for the InstantAction network.