Software startup gains first customer

A Spokane software startup that produces tools for online game developers has signed its first customer — North Spokane company Cyan Worlds.

GamerZunion, launched in 2003 by three Eastern Washington University students, for now will be run by interim CEO Rob Allen, who was one of the firm’s early investors.

Allen said he will find a permanent CEO at some point.

The company was co-founded by Nate Brantingham, his brother, Austin Brantingham, and Tye Hooley.

The Brantinghams left the company this summer. Hooley remains with GamerZunion as its chief technology officer.

Terms of the deal with Cyan were not released.

Cyan is preparing to launch a new version of its online game Uru. The subscription-supported game will be released through the GameTap network.

Allen said GamerZunion will develop session-tracking tools that measure how long a player remains actively engaged with the game. Those tools also could track the games being played by friends and allow players to instant message each other. Allen said Cyan co-founder Rand Miller, another early investor in GamerZunion, joined the company’s board of directors.

Miller will be helpful as GamerZunion tests the market with the aim of becoming a publishing or distribution portal for games created by small, independent companies, Allen said.

“Rand has a huge reputation in the game development world,” Allen said.

The original business plan involved developing a Web portal that would help users find new online games and give them networking tools to stay in touch with like-minded gamers. GamerZunion would then split the revenue with game publishers, working like a cable company in providing a way for consumers to find content.

Allen said the new plan is for the company to go beyond software development to become a distributor and publisher for small, online game developers.

Allen said the goal is to find $1 million in startup money and hire an experienced game-industry manager to become CEO.