Running GarageGames, Motorcycle Rides, and Finding Myself
by Jeff Tunnell · 05/24/2005 (11:35 am) · 42 comments
After six years of running GarageGames the time has come for me to step back and let a smarter, younger guy take over the reins. Mark Frohnmayer, one of the original founders of GG and the lead programmer of Tribes, Tribes 2, and Marble Blast, has graciously agreed to become President of GarageGames.
Don't start laughing yet, you're not going to get rid of me that easily. I am going to stay with GG, but I just won't be making all of the day to day decisions. Instead, I will be working on more creative projects that allow me to be directly involved in the design and development process. This was my goal when we started GG, and I think the time has come to do so.
The future has never looked better. GarageGames now has three engines and our toolset is becoming better all the time, we have a killer casual game being developed in partnership with another company, and we have diversified into the console space. Our game development community is constantly growing, and, while it has taken much longer than I originally anticipated, we are starting to see some awesome games being completed on TAP. Commercial sales are growing, and these sales should give Indies confidence that Torque is the right choice for them. There are some other big announcements that will be coming soon, but I can't talk about them now.
I co-founded Dynamix in 1984. Since that time I have never taken an extended vacation or sabbatical while I have watched all of my friends and partners either retire to islands or pull way back. Starting and running a company is tough and it sucks a lot of your life energy. I need to recharge the batteries a little, so I will be gone most of the summer, coming back in time for IndieGamesCon 2005. While you are all slaving away, I'll be out riding my motorcycle and figuring out what I want to do when I grow up:)
Have a great summer!
-Jeff Tunnell GG
Don't start laughing yet, you're not going to get rid of me that easily. I am going to stay with GG, but I just won't be making all of the day to day decisions. Instead, I will be working on more creative projects that allow me to be directly involved in the design and development process. This was my goal when we started GG, and I think the time has come to do so.
The future has never looked better. GarageGames now has three engines and our toolset is becoming better all the time, we have a killer casual game being developed in partnership with another company, and we have diversified into the console space. Our game development community is constantly growing, and, while it has taken much longer than I originally anticipated, we are starting to see some awesome games being completed on TAP. Commercial sales are growing, and these sales should give Indies confidence that Torque is the right choice for them. There are some other big announcements that will be coming soon, but I can't talk about them now.
I co-founded Dynamix in 1984. Since that time I have never taken an extended vacation or sabbatical while I have watched all of my friends and partners either retire to islands or pull way back. Starting and running a company is tough and it sucks a lot of your life energy. I need to recharge the batteries a little, so I will be gone most of the summer, coming back in time for IndieGamesCon 2005. While you are all slaving away, I'll be out riding my motorcycle and figuring out what I want to do when I grow up:)
Have a great summer!
-Jeff Tunnell GG
About the author
#22
05/24/2005 (3:42 pm)
Have a great summer, you've more than earned it.
#23
05/24/2005 (4:13 pm)
Thanks for Tribes (and the other good games)! Enjoy your time off. :) 
#24
Mark and the rest of the crew here will keep doing what we've been doing, and hopefully we'll continue doing it better and better. This is shaping up to be an incredible year, I can't wait until we pull off all the stuff we're working on right now. There are so many cool community projects too... if we all execute on our plans, that whole world domination thing won't be very far away at all.
05/24/2005 (4:43 pm)
I cannot wait to see the cool stuff Jeff is going to work on when he gets back. It was awesome seeing him get this company up and running, and it's going to be just as cool seeing what he works on next. Mark and the rest of the crew here will keep doing what we've been doing, and hopefully we'll continue doing it better and better. This is shaping up to be an incredible year, I can't wait until we pull off all the stuff we're working on right now. There are so many cool community projects too... if we all execute on our plans, that whole world domination thing won't be very far away at all.
#26
It takes a lot of guts to trust someone with your baby (ie: GG) and I'm sure it'll go great cos of all the hard work you have put into it since GG was first conceived. You'll no doubt have a great summer and I cant wait to see what you do when you come back.
Btw, whatcha ride?
-Craig Fortune
05/24/2005 (5:19 pm)
Jeff,It takes a lot of guts to trust someone with your baby (ie: GG) and I'm sure it'll go great cos of all the hard work you have put into it since GG was first conceived. You'll no doubt have a great summer and I cant wait to see what you do when you come back.
Btw, whatcha ride?
-Craig Fortune
#27
05/24/2005 (5:40 pm)
Jeff ... WOW! I'm amazed and I'll miss having you to check in with as I have from time to time. However, I think you tought me very well ... the ways of the 'force' ... hopefully I'm ready for the trials! I'll be looking forward to showing you in person our current project when you return for IGC. As for now ... have an amazing time you definitely deserve it ... I know quite a few people (my own father for one) who've also watched their friends go off and retire ... relax etc... such is the way when you run your own business sometimes. You've picked a great bunch of people to work with though ... you can't go wrong ... excellent job!
#28
If it hadn't been for everything that you (and your fellow GG staff) stand for, I wouldn't be living my dream. You rock! Have a damn fine vacation, and we'll see ya when all of us gather for IGC'05.
- Brett
05/24/2005 (7:41 pm)
I want to be one to say... Thank you Jeff.If it hadn't been for everything that you (and your fellow GG staff) stand for, I wouldn't be living my dream. You rock! Have a damn fine vacation, and we'll see ya when all of us gather for IGC'05.
- Brett
#29
GarageGames is a phenomenal indie resource... have a GREAT vacation!!!
-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games
05/24/2005 (9:21 pm)
Thanks Jeff!GarageGames is a phenomenal indie resource... have a GREAT vacation!!!
-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games
#30
05/24/2005 (11:33 pm)
slacker... ;-)
#31
05/25/2005 (1:52 am)
Have a good vacation! You've done an awesome job with GG! Something to be very proud of.
#32
05/25/2005 (6:17 am)
Jeff, you have been a inspiration to me over the last several years, and I am very appreciate of your guidance and support. Have a excellent summer and I look forward to GG moving forward and look forward to seeing whats next for you.
#33
05/25/2005 (9:20 am)
Jeff making games again ... hmmm ... now thats something to get excited about! You gotta have some sweet ideas pent up in there dying to get out :) Here's to a great summer and a big ole' welcome back party at IGC. See you October. 
#34
Enjoy your summer, and come back full of nifty game ideas ready to be produced 8p
Again, hearfelt thanks to you, Mark, Tim and Rick for starting on the road that brought us GG
Cheers, and Keep on Torquin' !!
05/25/2005 (9:43 am)
as others have said already, and I've said to you in private and public : thanks for enabling us to live our dreams, and make a living from them ;)Enjoy your summer, and come back full of nifty game ideas ready to be produced 8p
Again, hearfelt thanks to you, Mark, Tim and Rick for starting on the road that brought us GG
Cheers, and Keep on Torquin' !!
#35
Congratulations - you definitely deserve a break! I'm really glad you're coming back at the end of the summer - GarageGames wouldn't be the same without the whole crew.
Remember to relax on your break, the company is in very capable hands!
See you at IGC,
-John
05/25/2005 (10:42 am)
Hey Jeff,Congratulations - you definitely deserve a break! I'm really glad you're coming back at the end of the summer - GarageGames wouldn't be the same without the whole crew.
Remember to relax on your break, the company is in very capable hands!
See you at IGC,
-John
#36
You definitely deserve a break and doing the whole "motorcycle trip" thing is one hell of a change from running an indie software company.
So are you going to do the whole route 66 thing? :)
I'll see you after the summer (personally, I'm off round the world, so its not just you who gets to go away :))
All the best and have a great time!
Phil.
05/26/2005 (12:46 am)
Hey Jeff! thats a great idea! :)You definitely deserve a break and doing the whole "motorcycle trip" thing is one hell of a change from running an indie software company.
So are you going to do the whole route 66 thing? :)
I'll see you after the summer (personally, I'm off round the world, so its not just you who gets to go away :))
All the best and have a great time!
Phil.
#37
05/26/2005 (9:26 am)
Hey Jeff, that's a very well earned vacations, I know the pleasure of just riding a bike/car and not worrying about anything, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I'm sure Mark will do a great job so you don't have anything to worry about. Just ENJOY! Have a nice time man, you've earned it, and thanks for everything!
#38
05/26/2005 (1:56 pm)
It's good to see you guys evolving. Glad your not leaving GG this plan scared me for a second...
#39
05/26/2005 (11:10 pm)
Good riddance... hehe just kidding. Have a great vacation, you've earned it for sure. And I hope your batteries will be super charged when you come back :) Hope to see some more even greater stuff from you and the guys in the future :) 
#40
Hall Of Worlds - For Gamers
EdM|EGTGE
05/27/2005 (9:45 am)
Thanks for everything Jeff. Garage Games continues to rock. Enjoy your time away. Hall Of Worlds - For GamersEdM|EGTGE
Torque Owner Nick Zafiris
Nick