Under Castle’s leadership, InstantAction will pursue an expanded business strategy that will build upon the vision of true, frictionless web publishing, and will more effectively connect developers directly to consumers while creating all new IP across multiple gaming platforms and genres. Castle, a 26-year gaming industry veteran, joins the online gaming leader to help spearhead the transition of mainstream video games to the web.
“As the first major native web video game publisher that brings together developers, gamers, web publishers and consumers, InstantAction needs a leader who can seamlessly integrate all of these components and continue to push the boundaries in 3D browser-based gaming,” said Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of IAC. “Lou Castle has the right combination of skills to do exactly this. He is not just a proven business leader, but also an accomplished story-teller, visionary, artist and inventor.”
Since launching in March, 2008 InstantAction has become the leader in high-quality browser-based 3D gaming. Under Castle’s leadership, the company will pursue a three-pronged strategy that will encompass an expansion of the company’s browser-based interactive media publishing leadership to any and all publishers on the web; an easy-to-access, direct to consumer strategy ideal for all game developers; and the launch of new Portland and Las Vegas-based studios that will leverage Castle’s significant knowledge and experience in the gaming industry in the creation of innovative new IP. More details on each strategy will be revealed throughout 2009.
"As the gaming industry evolves, successful companies will be the ones that leverage technology to up the ante on what is delivered to consumers," said Castle. "The future of gaming is on the web, and forward-thinking publishers are already looking for ways to move in that direction. The team at InstantAction has uniquely sophisticated knowledge of both web publishing architecture and browser distribution technology, which has positioned the company at the nexus of innovation for the industry. The combination of the company’s strengths with my own – true web publishing, the ability to connect developers directly to consumers, and new, creative IP that connects disparate gaming platforms and genres – creates a complete package that is incredibly compelling for the industry’s future. We will change the game."
Castle succeeds former CEO Josh Williams who will assume the role of fellow and chief technologist at InstantAction.
“Bringing Lou on board is a huge win for us," said Williams. "His wealth of experience and expertise will bring our game and tool development to the next level making the InstantAction platform the best way to deliver and play games on the web. I couldn't be more excited about the future of InstantAction."