Gathering of Developers

Gathering of Developers, Inc.
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Video games
Founded	January 13, 1998; 28 years ago in Dallas, Texas, United States
Founder	Mike Wilson and associates
Defunct	September 2004
Fate	Brand discontinued; assets merged into Global Star Software
Successor	Global Star Software
Headquarters	New York City, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Mike Wilson (Founder), Robert Westmoreland (CEO of On Deck Interactive)
Products	Video game publishing
Owner	Take-Two Interactive (from May 2000)
Parent	Take-Two Interactive (2000–2004)

Gathering of Developers, Inc. (commonly known as G.O.D. or GodGames, and marketed simply as Gathering between 2003 and 2004) was an American video game publishing company based in New York City. Established in January 1998 in Dallas by Mike Wilson and his associates, the company was acquired by Take-Two Interactive in May 2000. Between May 2000 and March 2001, Gathering managed the mainstream label On Deck Interactive. In August 2001, Take-Two shut down Gathering’s Dallas branch, transferring its operations to New York City. The brand was ultimately discontinued in September 2004, with its assets incorporated into Global Star Software.

Founding and Expansion

Mike Wilson announced the creation of Gathering in 1997, with the official launch occurring on January 13, 1998. Wilson, who had previously served as CEO of Ion Storm, envisioned a publishing company driven by seasoned developers rather than conventional marketing executives. The initial structure comprised a coalition of eight development studios, each holding equity stakes and board seats.

Among the founding members were Harry Miller, Jim Bloom, Rick Stults, and Doug Myres. Terminal Reality joined at launch as an equity partner, represented on the board by Vice President Brett Combs. Additional founding studios included Edge of Reality, 3D Realms, Epic Games, PopTop Software, and Ritual Entertainment. By February 1998, Gathering secured funding from Pennsylvania Merchants Group.

Take-Two Interactive began distributing Gathering’s titles in June 1998 through a non-equity agreement and had acquired a 20% ownership share by February 1999. That same month, Gathering co-established and financially supported the Independent Games Festival held at the Game Developers Conference. In May 1999, they entered a distribution partnership with Sega to release eight games via the Heat.net platform.

At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Gathering became notable for organizing large-scale promotional activities featuring complimentary food and entertainment, drawing thousands to their "Promised Lot" area. Their 2001 booth employed edgy marketing tactics to highlight adult-oriented game content.

Acquisition and Decline

On May 1, 2000, Take-Two Interactive purchased Gathering of Developers amid financial difficulties faced by the latter. Shortly thereafter, on May 4, 2000, both companies introduced On Deck Interactive—a publishing imprint focused on budget-friendly games appealing to a broad consumer base. However, after CEO Robert Westmoreland left On Deck Interactive, the label was discontinued on March 5, 2001; its forthcoming projects were reintegrated into Gathering of Developers.

Loss of Co-founder and Closure

Co-founder Doug Myres passed away suddenly from an asthma attack on May 3, 2001. In tribute to his memory, Gathering established the "Doug Myres Substance Award" in June 2001. This accolade was presented during the Cyberathlete Professional League event in July that year, accompanied by donations made to the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center in Myres’ name.

In August 2001, Take-Two Interactive closed Gathering’s Dallas office and consolidated all operations at its New York City headquarters. A significant number of employees were either laid off or chose to leave; many joined SubstanceTV—a venture initiated by Wilson and Myres. By February 2003, the company had been rebranded simply as Gathering. Following Take-Two’s disappointing financial performance in Q3 2004, Gathering was merged into Global Star Software, Take-Two’s label for budget titles.

Games published

Title

Platform(s)

Release date

Developer

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Microsoft Windows

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Epic MegaGames / Orange Games

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Microsoft Windows

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PopTop Software

Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Holiday Hare '98

Microsoft Windows

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Epic MegaGames

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Mac OS

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Logicware

Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files

Microsoft Windows

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Epic MegaGames

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Microsoft Windows

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PopTop Software

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Mac OS

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Westlake Interactive

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Mac OS

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Westlake Interactive

'Darkstone'

'Microsoft Windows'

'

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'Delphine Software International'

Fly!'

'Macintosh operating systems#Mac OS, Microsoft Windows'

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'

Terminal Reality'

'Template:Sort'

'Linux'

'

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'Loki Entertainment Software'

'Nocturne'

'Microsoft Windows'

'

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'Terminal Reality'

'Age of Wonders'

'Microsoft Windows'

'

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'Triumph Studios / Epic Games'

'Fly! 2K'

'Microsoft Windows'

'

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'Terminal Reality'

'Kiss Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child'

'Microsoft Windows'

'

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'Third Law Interactive'

Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.²'

'Macintosh operating systems#Mac OS, Microsoft Windows'

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'

Ritual Entertainment'

'Template:Sort'

'Microsoft Windows'

'

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'Terminal Reality'

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'Macintosh operating systems#Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Dreamcast'

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'

Terminal Reality'

'Rune (video game)'

'Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems#Mac OS'

'

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,

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'Human Head Studios'

'Kingdom Under Fire: A War of Heroes'

'Microsoft Windows'

'

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'Phantagram'

Oni (video game)'

'Macintosh operating systems#Mac OS, Microsoft Windows'

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Bungie'

'Template:Sort Evolution' (PlayStation 2)'

'PS2'

'2001-02-27'

'Terminal Reality'

'Serious Sam: The First Encounter'

'Windows'

'2001-03-23'

'Croteam'

'Tropico (video game)'

'Windows'

'2001-04-24'

'PopTop Software'

' rowspan="2" Fly! II '

'Mac OS, Windows'

'2001-04-26'

'Terminal Reality'

'Rune: Halls of Valhalla'

'Windows, Mac OS, Linux'

'2001-04-26, 2001-08-24, 2001-08-24'

'Human Head Studios, Westlake Interactive, Loki Entertainment Software'

'Rune (Linux)'

'Linux'

'2001-06-21'

'Loki Entertainment Software'

'Max Payne (video game)'

'Windows, macOS'

'2001-07-23, 2002-07-16'

'Remedy Entertainment / 3D Realms, Feral Interactive'

'Tropico (macOS)'

'macOS'

'2001-08-23'

'Feral Interactive'

'Stronghold (video game)'

'macOS, Windows'

'2001-10-22, 2002-05-17'

'MactSoft, Firefly Studios'

'4x4 EVO 2 (Windows, Xbox)'

'Windows, Xbox'

'2001-10-30, 2001-11-15 '

'Terminal Reality '

'Windows, Mac OS '

'2001-11-26, 2002-01-15 '

'MumboJumbo, MacSoft '

'Windows '

'2002-02-04 '

'BreakAway Games '

'Windows '

'2002-02-05 '

'Croteam '

'macOS '

'2002-03-20 '

'Aspyr '

'Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox '

'2002-08-28, 2004-01-28, 2004-03-08 '

'Illusion Softworks / 2K Czech '

'Windows '

'2002-09-27 '

'Firefly Studios '

'Windows '

'2003-03-27 '

'Pterodon / Illusion Softworks '

'Windows, macOS '

'2003-04-11, 2005-05-17 '

'Frog City Software / PopTop Software, MacSoft '

'Windows '

'2003-07-25 '

'Triumph Studios '

'Windows, macOS '

'2003-10-14, 2004-06-22 '

'Firefly Studios, Aspyr '

'Windows '

'2003-10-21 '

'Illusion Softworks / 2K Czech '

'Windows, macOS '

'2003-10-27, 2004-09-13 '

'PopTop Software, MacSoft '

'Windows '

'2004-02-04 '

'Pterodon / Illusion Softworks '

PS2

2004–06–07

Studio 33

Windows, Xbox

2004–07–30

Sixteen Tons Entertainment

Windows

2004–08–20

PopTop Software

Xbox, PlayStation 2

August 30 & August 31, 2004

Topheavy Studios / Atomic Planet Entertainment

Windows, Xbox

September 1, 2004

Silver Wish Games

PlayStation 2, Xbox

September 15, 2004

Coyote Developments

Windows

March 21, 2005

Pterodon / Illusion Softworks

References