Gamecock Media Group

Overview

Gamecock Media Group is a publishing group established on 12th February 2007 by Mike Wilson, Harry Miller and Rick Stults, the original founders of Gathering of Developers. Originally it was an independent company based in Austin Texas. The European division is called Gamecock Media Europe Ltd. and in September 2008 they launched the casual games label Upshot Games. On 14th October 2008 the company lost its independent status when it was acquired by SouthPeak Interactive, LLC. The office was officially closed on January 27, 2009, when the property was sold. At least 4 of Gamecock's Austin employees moved to SouthPeak's main office near Dallas, Texas.

Gamecock started with a portfolio that supported entire new development studios, such as Renegade Kid LLC., Red Fly Studio, Blazing Lizard and Crackpot Entertainment, as well as established studios such as Wideload Games, Inc., Replay Studios and Spark Unlimited. Many of the supported titles have novel concepts with an original approach. Co-founder Mike Wilson compares the group to Miramax in the movie business with its indie label spirit, where especially original games from independent studios are greenlighted. They also do not claim the IP of franchises they publish.

The company's PR is often extravagant. During the 2007 Spike Video Game Awards, company employees rushed the stage in capes and rooster heads during Ken Levine's acceptance speech for BioShock, using the attention for self-promotion.

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