GameHouse
Casual game developer and portal acquired by RealNetworks.
GameHouse Inc. is an American company that develops, publishes, and distributes casual video games. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, it operates as a division of RealNetworks. Founded in 1998 by Ben Exworthy and Garr Godfrey, GameHouse makes games for Windows and Mac computers, as well as for mobile devices on iOS and Android. Its catalog includes over 2,300 online and downloadable games, ranging from its own original titles—like the Delicious series—to games made by other developers. The company’s audience is predominantly female.
The company’s first downloadable game was Collapse!, a title similar to SameGame. By 2003, GameHouse had revenues exceeding $10 million, with a net of $5.5 million. In January 2004, RealNetworks acquired GameHouse for $14.6 million in cash and about 3.3 million shares of RNWK stock, then valued at roughly $21 million. The 25-person staff joined RealNetworks without planned layoffs. After the acquisition, GameHouse continued developing games, distributing them through RealNetworks, while its own portal ran alongside the RealArcade service.
In November 2009, RealArcade announced it would merge with GameHouse to form a larger distribution platform. The merger was completed on November 13, redirecting RealArcade visitors to Gamehouse.com and migrating user accounts. By 2010, RealArcade Mobile was rebranded as GameHouse.
GameHouse’s headquarters remained in Seattle, Washington, after the RealNetworks acquisition, and the European offices in Eindhoven, Barcelona, and Alicante are part of a separate RealNetworks entity, not the original GameHouse studio. The company focuses on original story-driven games, such as the Delicious series, while Zylom is a separate game company also acquired by RealNetworks, not a GameHouse title. In December 2016, GameHouse released Delicious: Emily’s Christmas Carol, developed internally without collaboration with Blue Giraffe. It continues to release multiple time-management games for mobile each year, while maintaining the GameHouse website, which also publishes games from other developers.
RealArcade, originally launched as RealOne Arcade in May 2001, was a gaming service that sold casual games. It allowed users to download demos and purchase full versions.
Quick Facts
- Industry
- Video games
- Predecessor
- RealArcade
- Services
- Online and offline video game development, publication and distribution
- Parent
- RealNetworks
- Founders
- Ben Exworthy / Garr Godfrey
- Hq Location City
- Seattle, Washington
- Hq Location Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
GameHouse was founded in 1998 by Ben Exworthy and Garr Godfrey. Its first downloadable game was Collapse!, a game similar to SameGame. By 2003, company revenues topped $10 million ($5.5 million net). In January 2004, GameHouse was acquired by RealNetworks for $14.6 million cash and about 3.3 million RNWK shares, then estimated at $21 million. Its staff of 25 became part of RealNetworks with no planned layoffs. After the acquisition, the GameHouse studio continued operations as a developer, while its games were distributed via RealNetworks, and the GameHouse portal operated alongside the RealArcade gaming service.
On November 3, 2009, RealArcade announced it was merging with GameHouse to create a large distribution platform. The merger was completed on November 13, redirecting RealArcade visitors to Gamehouse.com and migrating user accounts. GameHouse’s headquarters remained in Seattle, Washington, after the acquisition; European offices in Eindhoven, Barcelona, and Alicante are part of a separate RealNetworks division, not the original GameHouse entity. Zylom is a separate game company acquired by RealNetworks, not a GameHouse title. The Delicious series was developed primarily by GameHouse itself or by Zylom, and no collaboration with Blue Giraffe occurred for Delicious: Emily’s Christmas Carol, which was released in December 2016 as an internal GameHouse project.
Reader's Guide
GameHouse's significance lies in its role as a pioneer in casual game distribution and its integration into RealNetworks' broader gaming strategy. The company helped popularize downloadable casual games, particularly among a female audience, through titles like the Delicious series. Its merger with RealArcade in 2009 consolidated a major distribution platform, migrating users and creating a unified portal. GameHouse also expanded into mobile gaming, rebranding RealArcade Mobile as GameHouse by 2010. The company's European studios in the Netherlands and Spain continue to develop story-driven time management games and maintain the Zylom and GameHouse websites. Its legacy includes shaping the casual game market and demonstrating the viability of subscription models like GamePass.
Did You Know?
- The first downloadable game developed by GameHouse was Collapse!, similar to SameGame.
- On November 13, 2009, the merger of RealArcade with GameHouse was completed, redirecting RealArcade visitors to Gamehouse.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is GameHouse?
GameHouse is a Seattle-based American company that develops, publishes, and distributes casual video games. It now operates as a division of RealNetworks after being acquired by that parent company.
What games is GameHouse most famous for?
The company is best known for its original Delicious cooking series and for Collapse!, which marked its very first downloadable title. Its broader catalog of over 2,300 games also includes titles produced by third-party studios.
When and by whom was GameHouse founded?
Ben Exworthy and Garr Godfrey launched GameHouse in 1998 in Seattle, Washington. What began as a small venture grew into one of the largest casual game portals, with a player base that skews predominantly female.
What platforms does GameHouse support?
GameHouse titles run on Windows and Mac desktops as well as on iOS and Android mobile devices. This multi-platform strategy lets the company reach casual players wherever they choose to play.
What happened to GameHouse after its peak?
GameHouse merged with RealArcade to consolidate two major casual-game portals, and was subsequently acquired by RealNetworks, which now houses it as a subsidiary division.
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