[modi123_1]

It looks like it could be curtains for a long running name.. of sorts. One could say they are asking to have someone insert a coin to continue.

Spoiler

Quote

The U.S. operations of iconic but long-troubled video game maker Atari have filed for bankruptcy in an effort to break free from their debt-laden French parent.

Atari Inc. and three of its affiliates filed petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York late Sunday.

Its leaders hope to break the American business free from French parent Atari S.A. and in the next few months find a buyer to take the company private. They hope to grow a modest business focused on digital and mobile platforms, according to a knowledgeable person not authorized to discuss the matter privately.

cite 1

Why:

Quote

Although the 31-year-old brand is still known worldwide for its pioneering role with video games such as "Pong" and "Asteroids," Atari has been mired in financial problems for decades. Since the early 2000s it has been closely tied to French company Infogrames, which changed its name to Atari S.A. in 2003 and in 2008 acquired all the gaming pioneer's American assets.

cite 1

To be clear.. Atari Inc is different than Atari Games and the French Parent company (Atari S.A.) is the one that runs their website. http://www.atari.com.../about-atari-sa

Yeah.. confusing, right?

Quote

The US-based company now called Atari. Inc was GT Interactive when it was founded in 1993. GT Interactive then became Infogrames Inc. in 1999 after French company Infogrames Entertainment acquired controlling interest in it. In 2001, Inforgrames Entertainment bought Hasbro Interactive, who had acquired Atari Corporation and its Atari properties three years prior. In 2003, Infogrames Inc. became Atari Inc, now with license to use the Atari name and logo, and in 2008 Infogrames Entertainment completely acquired the company. Then, just to confuse everything that one step further, Infogrames Entertainment renamed itself as Atari, SA in 2009.

cite2


What this means is:

Quote

Atari Inc. said it plans to sell all of its assets in the next 90 to 120 days, including defining franchises such as Pong and Asteroids, and even its iconic logo.

cite2

So who wants to pool some money, get the pong IP, and start suing the hell out of every pong-clone out there? Sure.. we can offer a small 'opt out fee' instead of hitting the courts.. we can make millions!

[DarenR]

Man another white flag thrown up by the french

[Ticon]

Oh no not atari. Just kidding, every game I have played that they made is pretty lackluster. In fact they aren't even memorable enough to think of the name. Just that I saw the atari logo on it... Kinda how EA games is, you know them for the sims and sim variants

[h4nnib4l]

You don't know EA for sports? But it's in the game...

[jon.kiparsky]

If anyone wants to go after Activision, I'd chip in if I could get the Infocom titles out of bondage. I suspect that you could even make a few bucks if you re-issued them as mobile apps.

[modi123_1]

Speaking of others going bankrupt - here's the (probably) final shake down of THQ's property.

Quote

Sega

To purchase Relic (developer of Warhammer 40K and Company of Heroes 2) for $26.6 million. (Interestingly, Bethesda Softworks owner Zenimax media came just short of winning this portion with a $26.3 million bid.)


Koch Media

To purchase Volition (developer of the Saints Row and Red Faction games) for about $22.3 million.
To purchase the Metro franchise license for nearly $5.9 million.



Crytek

To purchase the Homefront license for $544,218.


Take 2

To purchase Evolve (a turtle Rock Studios project trademarked last year) for about $10.9 million.


Ubisoft

To purchase THQ Montreal (developer of the upcoming 1666, among others) for $2.5 million
To purchase the license to South Park: The Stick of Truth for about $3.26 million (though South Park Studios is putting up some legal argument over that part of the sale)

Darksiders developer Vigil Games received no bids and unfortunately will be shut down. Most current employees at THQ's other studios will likely be retained or rehired by the new owners, the letter says, but there's a chance some positions may not be considered necessary in the new ownership structure.

http://arstechnica.c...ruptcy-auction/

[no2pencil]

** didn't read article **

Wasn't the name Atari bought like five times after each of those companies went under?

[modi123_1]

Covered at the quote for "Yeah.. confusing, right?".