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
#42
06/17/2005 (9:54 pm)
We haven't met yet, Jeff, but I've heard a lot about you through the community, and I greatly admire what you've done with Garage Games. I can't imagine the kind of work involved in what you've done, and I sincerely hope that you have a great time on your much-needed (and well-deserved) vacation! Best wishes. :) 
Torque 3D Owner Michael Cozzolino
Big Monk Games