One of the biggest PC game download stores may be sold off by its current owner, if Internet reports are correct. The MCV web site reports via unnamed sources that IGN Entertainment is in the process of selling off its Direct2Drive service to GameFly, best known for their monthly subscription service of offering console games via the mail (similar to Netflix"s DVD and Blu-Ray mail service). The story claims that the deal between IGN and GameFly is "almost complete" and will be officially announced next week. There"s no word on how much GameFly is paying for the Direct2Drive service.
If this deal does indeed go through it will be just the latest chapter in IGN"s development. Earlier in May it announced that it had acquired UGO.com from the Hearts Corporation. That purchase included the popular game web site 1Up.com. Rumors are that IGN Entertainment is setting itself up to be spun off from its parent company News Corporation in the coming months. As far as GameFly, it has also been expanding beyond its most well known business. It bought the Shacknews gaming news web site in 2009 which also added a file download site to its business. In February 2010, GameFly filed with the SEC for an IPO but so far the public stock offering has yet to launch.
This latest deal, if true, follows up on last March"s announcement by Stardock (a minority owner in Neowin.net) that it will sell off its Impulse PC game download store business to GameStop. That transaction has since been completed.