One of the game industry's more interesting publishers (both in games and in their marketing) has decided to give up at least part of their independence. The Austin-based Gamecock Media Group, formed largely by the founders of the original Gathering of Developers, has now been acquired by Southpeak Interactive. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.

Officially announced in early 2007, Gamecock generated a lot of attention thanks in part to its over-the-top marketing and promotion, including parties and press events that were different than the norm (including a "funeral" for the old E3 format). The games, however, have so far met with mixed responses from both critics and sales (and one game, the PC MMO title Fury, was an unmitigated disaster as it shut down only a few months after its release). Two upcoming Gamecock titles, Mushroom Men and Legendary, are still due out this fall with Velvet Assassin due out in early 2009. The press release did not mention what will happen to Gamecock's other announced titles (Dungeon Hero, Section 8 and the unnamed action game from Croteam)