Atari
”Happy Mother's Day
I know a lot of you have memories of your mom surprising you for the holidays or your birthday with a game or, better yet, a console, or a birthday party at the local arcade or mini-golf. That's one of the best things about moms, when you're a kid; when they come out of nowhere, without a word of begging, pleading or conversation, with the coolest, bestest, most non-Mom thing ever in the world.
My brother and I both have an elephant's memory. We often astound our parents with perfect recall of years, dates, things said going back 25 years or more. I know Pac-Man was the only game that ever really amused my mother. But sitting here, racking my brain, I cannot ever recall her playing a video game.
Atari Officially Delisted From Nasdaq
In an SEC filing, Atari reported that its delisting from the Nasdaq is official. Trading of the company's shares was suspended this morning at market open.
The company said it will appeal the decision, bringing it before Nasdaq's Listing and Hearing Review Council. At the same time, Atari is going ahead with previously-announced plans to merge with Infogrames, its majority shareholder, who is also loaning the company $20 million in required capital.
The company received a notice in December 2007 that it had to maintain a market value of $15 million or more for at least 10 business days, which it was unable to do. On March 24th, 2008, the Nasdaq notified Atari that it would be delisted unless it requested a hearing - it did, and that hearing, held on May 1st, failed to swing things Atari's way, and the Nasdaq ruled to proceed with the delisting process.
Full announcement follows the jump.
More »Nolan Bushnells Pooh-Poohs In Game Ads
Atari founder and old dude Nolan Bushnell doesn't like in-game advertising. He doesn't believe those kinds of ads are very effective. Says Bushnell:
I don't believe those kinds of ads are very effective.
SEE? Bushnell's rationalization is that while playing have to focus on the in-game objectives and can't be bombarded with ads. We disagree! Gearbox's Randy Pitchford has done a pretty damn good job of convincing us otherwise. Thanks for that, Randy!
In-Game Ads Don't Work [MTV]
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.
Infogrames has also agreed to spot Atari $20 million to keep them operationally afloat. You know what that means, Atari employees? Bagel Mondays are back!
Full release after this.
More »DBZ Burst Limit - Trunks Vs. Recoome
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.
However, says Infogrames: "The SCi Board has declined, at this stage, to entertain Infogrames' offer."
Infogrames is still raring to go on the bid, though, saying that it has "sufficient resources" to satisfy the offer, and adding it has also "secured commitments" that will help fund SCi's potential working capital requirements. "Importantly," the statement adds, "Infogrames is in a position to move expeditiously with its proposal."
More »Alone In The Dark Euro Limited Edition
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Atari Innovates Crossword Game Marketing
Now we're staring to get a clearer picture of why Phil Harrison called Atari the best opportunity back in early March. This Friday the company is holding an event at Victoria Station in London to celebrate the release of their latest DS title, The Sun Crossword Challenge. The event will feature the crossword talents of two women famous for not being dressed, Page 3 girls Sam Cooke and Vikki Blows, which might not be her real name. What was that again Phil?
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.Um, alright! For more on the fun way that Atari is re-energizing their brand, hit the jump for the two pictures that were released along with the announcement of the Sun Crossword Challenge on the 18th. Sort of not safe for work publicity stills, after the jump. More »
New Adventures Await The Witcher
"CD Projekt has always been oriented to gamers' needs, so releasing an adventure editor for the modding community is an obvious move. It's quite a demanding tool, however, and it will bring loads of satisfaction to many of the fans. After all, we made The Witcher with this tool," said Adam Kiciński, CEO, CD Projekt RED.Finally you have The Price of Neutrality, the first official add-on adventure for the game, in which we learn more about the other witchers from the beginning of the main game. That's a ton of new stuff, and here I am far too busy this week to even contemplate downloading it. *weeps* More »
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 »
I'm making is that I think the game is very relevant to the market, and I think will do very, very well. Can we afford as a company to chase that up, to USD 80 million, without downstream revenue? The answer is no.
Atari Product Catalog, ca. 1981
As an 8-year-old in 1981, I would read this Atari game catalog and think about all the amazing $40 games they offered that my paperboy earnings could not cover. And then I'd turn to the back page and read about the Atari Game Club, in Sunnyvale, California.
Sunnyvale. It had a videogame Wonkaland sound to it. Sunnyvale. Where, maybe, Pac-Man was the mayor. And Ms. Pac-Man was the wife of the mayor. And Jr. Pac-Man was the butane-huffing embarrassment son of the mayor. And Mario ran the public works. And Donkey Kong drove a bus. And Frogger was the crossing guard. And Pengo was an exhibit at the zoo. And Zeke the Zookeeper ...
How Atari Used To Sell Things When They Could Still Sell Things
atari catalog 1981 [huguesjohnson]
The Best Phil Harrison Fan Art Ever
If game exec Phil Harrison is worthy of gum stealing, surely, he's worthy of this Phil-meets-Back to the Future 2 style fan art. Found over at game site UK:R, where artist Dan writes:
I drew this a long time ago when I was sick and Phil's life still mattered to some people. I was going to ask that you use this instead whenever something dumb he had to say was to be featured on your site, but I guess I figured I'd never see him there again now that he's over at Atari, no doubt heading up the addition of motion controls in time for the 2600's re-release. But, like a bad penny, he just keeps turning up
We hope that Dan is still sick. We're keen to see more.
Er, Phil Harrison Fan Art [UK:R]
Alone in the Dark Delayed
Alone in the Dark just got bumped back a month to a June release to allow the team to spend more time on polish and bugs, according to Atari.
The Xbox 360, PC, Wii and PS2 versions now hit on June 24 in the U.S. and June 20 in Europe with the PS3 version coming down the line.
Alright Harrison, I better see some high gloss bugs come June 24 on my Xbox 360.
Alone in the Dark pushed back to June [Eurogamer]
Atari Delisted From Nasdaq Stock Exchange
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit In Action
valve
Atari Heats Up On Steam
Publisher Atari has become the latest in a long line of pubs to add its PC content library to Valve's Steam platform. New titles on the platform include Indigo Prophecy, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum, Desperados 2, Atari 80 Classics in 1 and Act of War, among others. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any discounts on the newest additions, but if you feel like helping out the financial cause that is Atari, maybe see what Steam now has to offer.
At the very least, play Indigo Prophecy. It's worth a tenner! We swear it! Full press release full of digitally distributed good news after the jump.
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