<![CDATA[Kotaku: Infogrames]]> http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: Infogrames]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/infogrames http://kotaku.com/tag/infogrames <![CDATA[Appeals Court Sides With File-Hosting Site Over Atari]]> A German appeals court threw out a judgment Atari had won against RapidShare, the popular file-hosting site where Atari says copies of games from its Alone in the Dark series were being illegally shared. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5727076&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Metamorphosis of Atari]]> A little more than a year ago Atari snatched up Sony's Phil Harrison and went into a hibernation of sorts, cocooning itself away from the media as it and parent company Infogrames worked to reinvent itself. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5272550&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Infogrames Is Now Atari]]> Atari? Strong brand name. Infogrames? Um, yeah. No wonder Infogrames want to switch its corporate identity to the company Nolan Bushnell founded and made famous. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5272481&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[How Did Infogrames Atari Do Last Year?]]> According to the company's fiscal results for the financial year ending March 31, Infogrames posted net losses to the tune of €226.1 million. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5272480&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Cryptic Studios To Rehash Old Atari IP In "A Series Of New Games"]]> When City of Heroes developers Cryptic were bought by Atari last year, it was said they'd be working on a single, secret game due in 2011. Now it turns out they're working on several games. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5272477&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Phil Harrison No Longer President Of Atari]]> Last year, in a major coup for the fledgling company, Atari managed to hire former Sony Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison to serve as President. Now? Now he's no longer President. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5272478&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Paulina Bozek Looking To Multiplatform Social Gaming]]> SingStar director Paulina Bozek jumped ship from Sony to Atari/Infogrames back in September. What has she been up to? More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5101485&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Infogrames Completes Atari Buyout]]> Finally, some news about a troubled, bankrupted former household name getting bought up by someone other than the government. Infogrames has completed its purchase of Atari, for all of $11 million. The French publisher already owned about 51 percent of Atari. In April, Atari pretty much threw in the towel, was de-listed from the stock exchange, and accepted Infogrames' offer to buy the rest of its shares at $1.68 per. Oh, Infogrames also loaned junior $20 million to make it through to the completion of the buyout. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5062135&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Infogrames And Namco Bandai's Europe Joint Venture]]> In a press release issued today, Namco Bandai Games announced a strategic joint venture with Infogrames/Atari. Namco Bandai will invest 34 percent (an estimated €30 million) into Infogrames/Atari's European and Asian sales network. This will strengthen a distribution relation between the two companies: Atari/Infogrames has distributed Namco Bandai titles in the past — such as the Dragonball games. Between June 31, 2012 to June 20, 2013, Namco Bandai will also have the option to buy Infogrames remaining 66 percent. In the letter of intent, Namco Bandai stated it hoped this venture would improve its overseas distribution. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5047110&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[SingStar Exec Leaves Sony For Atari]]> SingStar boss Paulina Bozek has left Sony's London Studio to join Phil Harrison at Atari/Infogrames. While at Sony, she's been the Executive Producer and Game Director of the 15 million selling SingStar juggernaut. In her new role at Atari/Infogrames, she'll be development director of a new online game studio. Says Harrison: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5046567&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Infogrames-Controlled Atari Gets 49 Percent Of Publishing Revenues From DBZ]]> For fiscal 2008, Atari reported net revenues of $80.1 million, as compared with $122.3 million for the year previous, the company's annual report revealed. This represents a steady year-over-year decline for the publisher since fiscal 2005, when its revenues were $343.8 million. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5021417&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Former CEO Of Struggling Atari Got One Hell Of A Golden Parachute]]> Atari's fiscal 2008 annual report shows just how dire the publisher's situation has become over the years. Beginning late in 2005, the company began a gradual and aggressive scale-back of its development activities, and by the end of 2007, it had sold away all of its development studios. The company now reveals that it's remained in debt just to sustain its operational costs. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5021418&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Atari Reports Fourth Quarter Losses; Water Also Wet, Fire Hot]]> Via Shacknews late Friday, Atari reported $23.6 million net loss in its fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, the last FY on its books before it starts getting a monthly allowance from Infogrames, and a lecture on the value of money. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5016443&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Poor Kaz Had No Idea Phil Was Going To Atari]]> Seeing as the pair were running the show as far as the PlayStation brand was concerned, you'd think Kaz Hirai and Phil Harrison would have at least discussed Phil's move to Infogrames, yes? No. Turns out big Phil's move was as much a surprise to Kaz as it was the rest of us: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5011749&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Phil Harrison "Would Hope" PS3 Alone In The Dark Gets Trophies]]> Before his new gig at Atari/Infogrames, Phil Harrison did tons of cheerleading for Home during his tenure at Sony. But Home keeps getting pushed back, causing PS3 owners to wonder if and when PS3 games will get Achievement-like trophies for Home. Since the PS3 version of Atari's Alone in the Dark isn't out until this fall, it is possible for the game to have trophies? Let's ask new Atari/Infogrames exec Phil Harrison: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5011548&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Phil Harrison Talks End of Single Player, Has Friends]]> Remember when Infogrames/Atari exec Phil Harrison said the company wouldn't be making another big-budge single player game? Sure ya do! Here, Harrison explains a bit better at what he was getting at: "I think the single-player, disconnected console game is probably in its dotage. Now, that doesn’t mean that those games aren’t relevant going forwards, but they will be enhanced by community features being embedded in them, or downloadable content becoming an inherent part of the experience, or some kind of user-generated content will be part of the experience. All of the things we see in other games, the things that we can point to in compelling games." Fair enough! Speaking of single player, has Phil Harrison made an easy transition to Infogrames from Sony? Says Harrison: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5011030&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Atari, Infogrames To Get Merge On]]> Can't say we didn't see this one coming. Infogrames, already the majority shareholder in the struggling Atari—the company recently delisted from the NASDAQ stock exchange—will soon "acquire the remaining outstanding equity interests of Atari." Atari will then become a wholly owned subsidiary of Infogrames, something both parties agree (at least in the press release) is good news for the financially underperforming publisher of Dragon Ball Z, Godzilla and Alone in the Dark games. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=385944&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[SCi Spurns Infogrames Buyout Bid]]> French Atari parent Infogrames wants to purchase Eidos parent SCi, and has already extended it a "financially disciplined" offer, Infogrames revealed today via a regulatory announcement. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=384866&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Phil Harrison Talks Teh Future of Atari]]> Yes, Phil Harrison really does work for Infogrames/Atari. Like really. Instead, Harrison says this about upcoming Atari title Alone in the Dark and what the future holds for the company: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=379301&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Infogrames Setting Alone In The Dark Up For A Fall]]> Infogrames boss David Gardner has told Reuters "we want to stop losing money". No shit, Dave! As for how they're going to do that, well...they're hoping to sell a lot of videogames. Like the new Alone In The Dark.
Over the life of the product in this business year across platforms we are expecting between 2 and 3 million units.
I know, it's launching on nearly every platform under the sun, but 2-3 million units? In this business year? It's not that it looks bad, just...I have a little trouble believing that many people are excited for it. OK, I'm having a lot of trouble. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=378605&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Atari Delisted From Nasdaq Stock Exchange]]> After what feels like years of threats, Atari have finally been handed a delisting notice from the Nasdaq stock exchange, after the company failed to raise the $15 million in market capitalization it needed to stay the executioners axe. An appeal's already been lodged, citing parent company Infogrames offer of a total buyout, but, yeah. Things don't look good. Guess Misseur Directeur Général Délégué has his work cut out for him. Those with a morbid fascination for death rattles can read Atari's full statement after the jump. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=372678&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Infogrames Want To Buy What's Left Of Atari]]> French company Infogrames are Atari's majority shareholder. Looks like they're soon to be their only shareholder. A letter has arrived at Atari HQ from Infogrames, no doubt signed in a beautiful, flowing script by the company's new Directeur Général Délégué, indicating their desire to buy any and all remaining Atari stocks for USD$1.68 per share. Atari don't have to accept, but then again, they don't exactly have the strongest of bargaining positions at the moment. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=364960&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[See, Hear Phil Harrison Call Atari "The Best Opportunity"]]>
Just in case you don't believe that Phil Harrison actually left Sony to work at Atari (we're still in shock!), there's this clip of Phil Harrison (not in a blue suit!) actually saying:
The Atari opportunity is the best opportunity that exists in the industry today to redefine, re-focus and re-energize an incredible brand, an incredible group of people towards that networked future. Um, and to do it in a fun way.
We watched this clip five times. It's real. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=364476&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Why Phil Harrison Joined Infogrames? Magnetic Attraction]]> Two words: Phil Harrison. A game exec so wonderful that we stole his chewing gum (above). Now wonder Infogrames wanted him to help the company become unsucky. But what could make Phil ditch Sony, a company that's clearly on the rebound. Company CEO David Gardner says this about new Infogrames prez. Phil Harrison: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=363444&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Phil Harrison's New Job]]> Well, it's Monday and, right on cue, here's Phil Harrison's new job: President and "Directeur Général Délégué" of Infogrames. He is also a member of the board of directors. Shoot, I was hoping he'd stay in the video game industry. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362957&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Atari's Future Is Online]]> In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, new Infogrames CEO David Garner ands more fuel to the server-centric fire, discussing the importance of server-based and free-to-play games to the future of Atari - one of gaming's oldest brands.
"The business and the industry is moving online on a global basis. It's moving at different speeds in different countries, but it's pretty clear to me that the whole way that people are going to want to buy their games, play their games, interface with their games is network centric"
Drat. I was hoping they were going to go back to cartridges. While not that drastic of a backstep, Garner is placing emphasis on the amazing library of properties Atari has accrued over the years to pull them through.
"The good news is that we have a massive catalogue of properties. We have the DNA of every major company through gaming history - the Ocean, GT Interactive, Gremlin, Accolade factory of products, it's a long genetic history.
Here's hoping Atari doesn't fade back into retro t-shirt obscurity again any time soon. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362968&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Infogrames Rocks My World]]> Infogrames was once the world's leading company with an aardvark as its mascot until one day they purchased and eventually became Atari, but I will always remember them fondly...or at least I thought I would. That was before I stumbled upon an mp3 posted at GayGamer of a theme song the company had commissioned to help promote, and I am only guessing here, company-wide seppuku. Just look at the opening lines:
"There's Nascar Heat, Tonka Town...Stuntman makes my head spin round. Beachhead, TransWorld, Freddie 5...Unreal Tournament, Test Drive..."
You pretty much get the idea. The song starts out deep and soulful and soon degenerates into a synth-smeared R&B tune, the chorus of which does a terrible job of convincing anyone that "Infogrames rocks!" I am so not embedding this MP3 here. Hit the jump and prepare to be embarrassed on the behalf of an entire company. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=299063&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ten More Years Of Atari D&D]]> Neverwinter Nights fans rejoice! Atari parent company Infogrames and Hasbro signed a new agreement that extends property rights for the Dungeons & Dragons universe for ten more years, up until the year 2017. Atari has been doing a lovely job with Neverwinter Nights as well as the Baldur's Gate series, crafting some of the best D&D video games since the glory days of the SSI gold box titles. The agreement also sees Hasbro buying back the rights to several of their popular board games, including Scrabble, Risk, Battleship, Boggle, and Simon...perhaps fearing Atari would pull a Jenga on them. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=280153&view=rss&microfeed=true