me + alex quit google. (dodgeball forever!!!!)

So.... Alex and I quit Google on Friday.

It's no real secret that Google wasn't supporting dodgeball the way we expected. The whole experience was incredibly frustrating for us - especially as we couldn't convince them that dodgeball was worth engineering resources, leaving us to watch as other startups got to innovate in the mobile + social space. And while it was a tough decision (and really disappointing) to walk away from dodgeball, I'm actually looking forward to getting to work on other projects again.

So, what's next? Starting today (Monday!) I'm joining the kids at area/code who are knee-deep in building all sorts of Big Games (remember PacManhattan? ConQwest?). Alex is moving on to IconNicholson where he took a gig as a Creative Strategist focusing on mobile and emerging technologies. (And sorry, but I don't know what Google has planned for dodgeball going forward.)

ps: Clear your calendar for this Saturday (April 21). A whole crew of us are dj'ing to celebrate our escape. (details + invite coming soon!)

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Comments

lia says:

golden handcuffs? or were you both just totally done?

(and congratulations!)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

cdfio says:

scroogle.
;-)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Aaron Landry says:

Good luck Dens. Can't wait to see to see more stuff come out of area/code.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

superkb says:

Free at last! Hooray!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

M0rph3u says:

wow... that's like your icon... or ex-icon..

You earned both a lot of experience around social networks and mobile platforms.
This is just the beginning. I'm pretty sure a lot more will come out of your minds!
Mobile services can be very handy and people won't mind to pay for them.
Now, more than ever everybody is cellphone dependent.

Keep up the good work and good luck :)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

mojo! says:

congrats. kick some butt.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Lele Barnett says:

congrats, dens! good luck on all of your future projects!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

William C. Arter says:

the area/code trinity is complete!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

editorlisa says:

Excited for you to get to innovate again, Dens. Good luck with the new endeavor!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Lawrence L says:

Will people be checking in on dball from the 4/21 party? You know, I can always sell you www.doucheball.com if you're interested in that...
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Jen Bekman says:

Congrats! Welcome back to the entrepreneurial fold.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

@harryh says:

Still sitting here feeling tempted to edit SplashPage.gxp....
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Amit Gupta says:

sweet. congrats, dennis! area/code is gonna rock even more now.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

thincvox says:

dens, congrats on moving forward and making, what must've been, a tough decision. can't wait to see what you, kevin and frank start cooking up for everyone!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

moleitau says:

congrats - looking forward to you 'droppin' 8-bit on reality'
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

TikTik says:

i feel bad for harry!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

weblivz says:

Best of luck. We're doing some mobile stuff too and you're right, it's an area to be innovating in, not watching (too early to guarantee anything yet!).
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

ceonyc says:

Popsicle stand: blown. Good luck!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

whatisee says:

Big news, you know what you want, and you're acting on it. Nothing beats that feeling.

Well, except I keep thinking I should have asked to stop by for lunch and now it's too late :)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

leafy says:

... if i'm not having fun, i'm not doing it right ...
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

cacheop1 says:

you're in great company now at area/code
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Poisson says:

rock on, gentlemen.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

tssparky says:

Your friends at Kimmel Support you. Go forth and Kick Arse!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

akaalias says:

All the best for your future. Stand up for your dreams!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Jakob Lodwick [deleted] says:

I congratulate you on your willingness to give a thumbs-down to such an intimidating organization.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

jjprojects says:

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with Google. That must have been really disappointing, but onward and upward :) Got for it.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

hotlead says:

On to bigger and better things!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

sahadeva says:

Hey Dennis! Rock on, and congratulations on area/code! Picked up the thread at AVC.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

shi11 says:

Congrats! You're a rockstar .\../
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

dmakar says:

When's the six figure screwed by google book deal going to get signed?
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

geraci says:

Sweet, congrats on your newfound freedom. Looking forward to seeing what come next. And hey, can I get that autographed astronaut picture in the background? Whose autograph is on that, anyway??
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

schwa23 says:

wow. Congrats and good luck. Now you can go and build the NEXT next big thing.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

eschipul says:

Congratulations and welcome back to innovation!

With the emergence of twitter it seems a shame that dodgeball was locked in sleep mode. Hard to think of google is anti-innovation in the mobile space, but there it is.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

seanaes says:

good riddance. make the next big thing. quick hurry. best of luck guys.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Ken Berger says:

awesome. gives us more time to pose for pictures like this one:
valleywag.com/photogallery/techcrunchnyc/6208 43
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

shawnblog says:

I always wondered why I didn't see dodgeball take off the way I thought it would. It's such a great idea! You'll do great with whatever you turn your attention to.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

mbukhin says:

Very cool Dens, good for you. Keep us posted on the escape party.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

miserychick says:

always making big splashes, eh?
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

girl_onthe_les says:

wahooo party saturday!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

matty_ says:

Nooooo! Everything is ruined! RUINED! Just kidding. Mazel tov on the move to bigger and better things, fellas. Woo!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

mloco says:

sounds like a plan. congrats on getting out!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

marisaolson says:

yay! congrats!!!!!! cu at rhizome party 2nite? xoxo!!!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Ben Brown says:

Good job!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

michaelsharon says:

congrats! welcome to the office!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

devittj says:

Sorry it didn't work out Dennis. Good luck with the new gig.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

dedi says:

nice!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

jonny goldstein says:

Hey Dens and Alex,

You guys rock! Google dropped the (dodge) ball on this one. Have fun at your next gigs.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

edwardyanquen says:

why?
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Atlantisa7 says:

haha :) i was wondering when this was going to happen...
gluck with the big gamers!!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

banka says:

OMG google is the new M$ BBQFTW!1!!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

rummble says:

...and there was I thinking that you'd hit the jack pot, when after we got featured side by side in wired, you guys got hitched to the big G. Well, we're still battling on over here ... If you visit our jolly island, look us up - And dont tell anyone but we're changing names. I heard over six months ago from a colleague that it was not going great. It must have been very frustrating for you guys to have left. Good luck with your new projects.

best regards, Andrew (Founder & CEO, www.playtxt.net)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

richard winchell says:

Congratulations on walking away! Too bad Google didn't seem to have a plan for what to do after acquiring Dodgeball (or MeasureMap, or Pyra, or ... )
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

sergiopaluch says:

Dope! I was working at Google at the time it acquired Dodgeball. I remember thinking "What a cool service!" I was totally at awe of your idea and how far you had taken it, and I was totally envious of your accomplishment. I'm am terribly sorry that it went awry because I really thought that you had a fantastic thing going. I guess Googly-Zoo really did turn out to be a corporate monster like the rest of 'em. Anyways, I bounced right pre-IPO, and everyone that finds that out asks me "Are you completely nuts?!" I don't regret it at all. Since leaving, I've accomplished a lot more than I could have ever accomplished in a corporation, even if that corporation is the warm and fuzzy Google. I'm sure you guys will go on to accomplish great things, and I sincerely wish you the best of luck!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

shawdee says:

wow, that must have been a v difficult decision. good luck and no looking back!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Zach Klein says:

Can I have your cafeteria pass?
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

thedaniel says:

props.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

goodness says:

Good ideas come and go, but in my experience, the sources of good ideas are much more reliable. I know for a fact that this not the only genius idea you guys have had and I have every confidence this is not the last!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

grex says:

cheers-- all the power to you!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Aubs says:

Cheers, Dens, ya know I love ya and am excited for all your new endeavors! (Sad I won't see you in the office this week, but let's hang out since I'll be in NYC thru Friday, mmkay?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

geefunk3 says:

Congratulations and at the same time, condolences...I know it was your baby for a long time and I'm sorry to have seen how little support you guys got. Best wishes on your future endeavors guys! You made us proud @ ITP!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

smartshanz says:

Congrats.. Atlast you came out that company whose tagline doesn't match what they are doing ("Don't be evil") !

I wish you guys best of luck for your future projects !
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

cataclyst78 says:

Cheers. Exciting to see you go to Area/Code Dens. Looking forward to some badass projects in the near future.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

everyplace says:

Did you send out a dodgeball notification when you left, or is that too self-referential?
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

CoffeeCrisp says:

Looking forward to whatever you guys dream up next. Congrats!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

dalasv says:

I know the feeling. Good luck.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Jake G says:

Word. It takes balls to stand up for your ideas. And it appears you sir have balls. Can't wait for the next idea.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

UdoSchroeter says:

Sorry it didn't work out, but better to get out now instead of staying chained to that thing, honing your grudge and getting cancer or something... Looking forward to your next move :-)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

mbukhin says:

Just a suggestion:

www.txtst.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/19 6
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

sbwoodside says:

Hooray! Now that you've escaped google I can respect you again :-)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

kofai says:

好运
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

nymo says:

Good Luck And Godspeed..
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Ravi Rao says:

Cool

--
http://news.ycombinator.com/ (?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

miffed says:

big ups!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

iancr says:

Congrats!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

rahul_bahuguna says:

I guess there are somethings that money cant buy :-)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

jeffreybrecker says:

Congrats! Tell Mr Slavin I said Hi!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

romulusnr says:

Lately Google is looking crappier and crappier. Is it just becoming an easy target, or is it finally going the way of all big companies, negligence through ignorance?

And no, I don't think this perception has anything to do with them bungling my second interview and turning me down for a job.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Parallel Johnny says:

congrats! I was really disappointed with Google when I saw the site receiving no help. For the longest time i was the #1 dodge baller in my area,, but then i realized that the rest of Detroit had no interest in it. Google could have solved that with their popularity.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Sander-Martijn says:

was wondering what happened to dodgeball - you guys did a great job at it pre-google, sorry to hear you got caught in red tape there. looking forward to seeing what you do next, sure it will be great.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

nycjournal says:

Is there an un-checkin, maybe not @google
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

xaotica says:

aww. i've been sad with the lack of development but am sadder to hear that it's unlikely that it will ever really go anywhere... :(
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

pota.to says:

Drat! Glad you're moving on to new things, but I'm sorry to hear that Google treated you so poorly.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

charl.norman says:

Innovate gents! Your free of the G shackles...
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

ungrok says:

hot damn! congrats on the liberation and cheers to the future.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

spandit13 says:

sorry to see you guys go, best of luck on your future endeavors.
should start up a new event to get this spacae moving agian
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

dragon.calvin says:

Hi Guys ...
My name is - Calvin and I m in China. More details about me can be read - dragoncalvin.blogspot.com
I m a veteran in the internet and wireless industry in China. Would be nice if you guys send me your email and lets get intouch if you are interested to work something together for China. My email : dragon.calvin@gmail.com
Cheers,
Calvin
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

See-ming Lee 李思明 SML says:

Why does Alex always look like that face on all the social networks?! I will make sure to post a good looking Alex here :)

Cheers,
See-ming
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Dányjel says:

Good luck guys! & join us if you like these projects! ;))

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Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

zonavar [deleted] says:

Google doesn't like stuff that it can't control - it's a bit like Ebay's attitude to dictating to sellers how they can accept payments from buyers - oh gotta make it illegal since we don't understand it! argh
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

dougjaeger says:

I forgot to say goodbye. we'll miss you.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

überRegenbogen says:

Sounds like a classic buy and bury—get the rights and eliminate the competition in one swoop. No better than MS or any other corporate marauder.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

Bogota Colombia says:

jeje nice!!!
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

angerhesmiles says:

what a shit sandwich...glad to see you guys got foursquare up and running. Just joined...can't wait for Gloucester, MA to be the next big city you add.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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