Gameplanet won the NetGuide People's Choice Web Award for "Best Game Related Site" four years running, in 2006,[4] 2007, 2008 and 2009.

At that time, Garner was involved in the development and hosting of the web site for GameZone, a small games retail business owned by fellow entrepreneur Simon Barton.

Initially, Gameplanet was operated informally as a non-profit venture supported by the GameZone retail business.

In order to grow, however, it would need to become self-sustaining, so in late 2002 Simon Barton incorporated Gameplanet (NZ) Ltd as a limited liability company.

[5] Online retailer Mighty Ape acquired a controlling stake in Gameplanet in June 2016, purchasing 60% of the business for an undisclosed sum after falling advertising revenues left Gameplanet "[un]able to continue on its current trajectory" as an independent publisher.