A Gathering of Developers: new publishing house aims to shake up computer game industry.

GREATER DALLAS AREA - In an attempt to gain more control over their products and to make more money, five high-profile computer game makers have banded together to form what may be the first game publishing house in the Metroplex.

Based in Dallas, Gathering of Developers is a for-profit company formed by five of the most prominent game makers in the business, including Garland-based 3D Realms, which created the best-selling "Duke Nukem" series; Ritual Entertainment of Dallas, producer of "Quake Mission Pack #1"; and Terminal Reality Inc. of Lewisville, which makes games for Microsoft. Each of the five has a seat on Gathering's board.

Company officials say at least two more top-tier developers will join Gathering in the next month.

The new publishing company "is something that could shake up the industry in a positive way," says Mike Wilson, Gathering's chief executive officer. The former CEO at Dallas game maker ION Storm, Wilson left that post …