GameSpy
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Legal Structure | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Video Games, Information Technology |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | http://www.gamespy.com |
GameSpy was a company founded by Mark Sufas in 1995. It provided multiplayer middleware for video game publishers, documented to be used by over 800 games. GameSpy was merged with the gaming magazine IGN in 2004,[1] while its 'GameSpy Industries' division, which handled all of its multiplayer services, was purchased from IGN by Glu Mobile in 2012.[2]
Consumer-impact summary
- User freedom: Games affected by GameSpy's shutdown require some modification of the software to regain functionality.[3][4]
- User privacy: Unknown; defunct in 2014.
- Business model: Founded as a middleware distributor, eventually hosted game servers and was a gaming news publication.
- Market control: Initially the primary game hosting service for many games; zero market control after shutdown in 2014.[5]
Incidents
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the GameSpy category.
Shutdown
- Main article: GameSpy server shutdown
On May 31st, 2014, Glu Mobile, the owner of GameSpy's software division (GameSpy Industries), shut down GameSpy's services,[5][3] affecting popular titles such as Battlefield 2142,[4] Halo Combat Evolved, and Saints Row 2, which lost all multiplayer functionality.[6] Some games were left unplayable due to digital rights management reliance on GameSpy servers.[7][8]
In the aftermath of the incident, projects such as OpenSpy were created to restore functionality to these damaged games, such as Battlefield 2142.[4]
Products
This section is incomplete. This notice can be deleted once all the placeholder text has been replaced.
See also
Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.
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References
- ↑ "IGN/GameSpy Merger Creates One of the Internet's Largest Game and Entertainment-Focused Companies". IGN. Mar 4, 2004. Archived from the original on Jan 2, 2018. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.
- ↑ Potter, Seth (Aug 2, 2012). "Glu Acquires GameSpy Technology to Expand Connected, Cross-platform Mobile Leadership". Glu Mobile. Archived from the original on Apr 11, 2016. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 u/Stevoisiak (Apr 7, 2014). "List of games affected by GameSpy shutdown". Reddit. Archived from the original on 1 Jun 2023. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Battlefield 2142 Reclamation instructions". Battlefield 2142 Reclamation. Archived from the original on 6 Dec 2025. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Futter, Mike (Apr 3, 2014). "Glu Shutting Down Gamespy Service, Affecting A Reported 800 Developers And Publishers". Game Informer. Archived from the original on Apr 7, 2014. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.
- ↑ "GameSpy". PC Gaming Wiki. Archived from the original on 21 Oct 2025. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.
- ↑ Williams, Byrn (Mar 9, 2010). "Ubisoft's DRM Servers Attacked Again". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 19 Feb 2026. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.
- ↑ Burns, Chris (Apr 4, 2014). "GAMESPY SHUTS DOWN MAY 31: WILL YOUR GAME BE AFFECTED?". Slashgear. Archived from the original on Jul 17, 2014. Retrieved Jul 8, 2025.