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{{Short description|Video gaming brand}}
{{unreferenced}}
{{About|the corporate brand}}
{{Infobox Company |
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
company_name = Atari, Inc. |
{{Infobox brand
company_logo = [[Image:atari_inc.gif]] |
| name = Atari
company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ({{nasdaq|ATAR}}) |
| logo = Atari Official 2012 Logo.svg
foundation = 1972 as Atari Inc.<br /> 1984 as [[Atari Corporation]]<br /> 1984 as [[Atari Games]]<br>1998 as Atari Interactive<br /> 2003 as Atari Inc. (formerly Infogrames Inc./[[GT Interactive]]) |
| image =
___location = [[New York, N.Y.]], [[United States|USA]] |
| caption =
key_people = [[David Pierce (CEO)|David Pierce]], CEO<br />[[Bruno Bonnell]], Chairman and Chief Creative Officer<br />[[Diane Price Baker]], Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer|
| producttype = {{ubl|[[Video game]]s|[[Consumer electronics]]}}
industry = [[Computer and video games]] |
| currentowner = [[Atari SA]] (2001–present)
products = [[Test Drive (video game)]], [[Dragon Ball]], [[Alone in the Dark]], [[Godzilla]], [[RollerCoaster Tycoon]], [[The Matrix]]|
| country = [[United States]] ([[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari]]), [[France]] ([[Atari SA]])
revenue = {{profit}}$218.661 million [[USD]] ([[2005]]) |
| introduced = {{Start date and age|1972|6|27}}
net_income = {{loss}}$68.986 million [[USD]] ([[2005]])|
| markets = [[Video game|Video gaming]]
num_employees = 232 ([[2006]]) |
| previousowners = {{plainlist|
homepage = [http://www.atari.com/ www.atari.com]
* [[Atari, Inc. (1972–1992)|Atari]] (1972–1985)
* [[Atari Corporation]] (1984–1998)
* [[Atari Games]] (1985–1999){{efn|For use in [[Arcade video game|arcade]] business only. Later adopted the [[Midway Games]] brand.}}
* [[Hasbro Interactive]] (1998–2001)
}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.atari.com/}}
|logo_size=130|logo_caption=One of the variants of the Atari "Fuji" logo
}}
{{this|a corporate game company}}
'''Atari''' is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since 1972. It is currently held by '''Atari, Inc.''' ({{NASDAQ|ATAR}}), a majority owned subsidiary of ''[[Infogrames Entertainment SA]]'' (IESA), encompassing its [[North America]]n operations. Atari develops, publishes and distributes games for all major [[video game console]]s, as well as for the [[personal computer]], and is currently one of the largest third-party publishers of [[Computer and video games|video games]] in the [[United States]].
 
'''Atari''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|t|ɑr|i}}) is a [[brand]] name that has been owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by French holding company [[Atari SA]] (formerly Infogrames){{efn|Through a subsidiary named [[Atari Interactive]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://pressreleases.triplepointpr.com/2012/06/27/atari-celebrates-40th-anniversary-with-new-game-releases-and-special-promotions/|title=Atari Celebrates 40th Anniversary with New Game Releases and Special Promotions|publisher=Atari|date=June 27, 2012|access-date=June 28, 2012}} "Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc."</ref><ref name=subsidiary>{{cite web|last = Atari Inc.|title = 10-KT · For 3/31/03|publisher=Atari Inc.|date = March 31, 2003|url =http://www.secinfo.com/dsvr4.28Z7.htm|access-date = November 6, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080127013429/http://www.secinfo.com/dsvr4.28Z7.htm|archive-date=January 27, 2008|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="2011report">{{cite web|url=http://www.atari.com/sites/default/files/ANNUAL_REPORT_10-11.pdf|title=ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT/REGISTRATION DOCUMENT Fiscal Year 2010/2011|publisher=Atari, SA|year=2011|access-date=June 28, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025054252/http://atari.com/sites/default/files/ANNUAL_REPORT_10-11.pdf|archive-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref> which licenses the brand to its parent and other entities in the group<ref>{{cite press release|title=ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2016/2017|page=11|url=https://atari-investisseurs.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DDR-2017-VDEF-2017-08-03_EN_FINAL.pdf}}</ref>}} and its focus is on "video games, consumer hardware, licensing and [[blockchain]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Atari |url=https://atari.com/pages/about |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Atari |language=en-US}}</ref> The original [[Atari, Inc.]], founded in [[Sunnyvale, California]], [[United States]] in 1972 by [[Nolan Bushnell]] and [[Ted Dabney]], was a pioneer in [[arcade game]]s, [[home video game console]]s, and [[home computer]]s. The company's products, such as ''[[Pong]]'' and the [[Atari 2600]], helped define the electronic entertainment industry from the 1970s to the mid-1980s.
The company that currently bears the Atari name was founded in 1993 under the name '''[[GT Interactive]]'''. GT Interactive was acquired by IESA in 1999 <ref name="gtpurchase">http://corporate.infogrames.com/IESA/pressreleases_story.html?sid=85</ref>, and renamed '''Infogrames, Inc.''' <ref name="gtrename">http://corporate.infogrames.com/history.html</ref >Infogrames acquired the Atari brand name from its purchase of [[Hasbro Interactive]]<ref name="hasbropurchase">http://corporate.infogrames.com/IESA/pressreleases_story.html?sid=53</ref>, which in turn had acquired it from [[JT Storage|JTS Corporation]]]]<ref name="jtpurchase">http://home.hiwaay.net/~lkseitz/cvg/nexus/features/news/pr/hasbro_01.shtml</ref>, which the original Atari had merged with in 1996<ref name="jtmerger">http://contracts.onecle.com/atari/jt.mer.1996.04.08.shtml</ref>. Initially Infogrames, Inc. intermittently used the Atari name as a [[brand name]] for selected titles before IESA officially changed the U.S. subsidiary's name to Atari, Inc. in 2003. <ref name="gtpurchase">http://corporate.infogrames.com/IESA/pressreleases_story.html?sid=85</ref>,
 
In 1984, as a result of the [[video game crash of 1983]], the assets of the home console and computer divisions of the original Atari Inc. were sold off to [[Jack Tramiel]]'s Tramel Technology Ltd., which then renamed itself to [[Atari Corporation]],<ref name="ataricorp">{{Cite news|last=Sanger|first=David E.|title=Warner Sells Atari To Tramiel|newspaper=New York Times|pages=Late City Final Edition, Section D, Page 1, Column 6|date=July 3, 1984|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/03/business/warner-sells-atari-to-tramiel.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118132248/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/03/business/warner-sells-atari-to-tramiel.html|archive-date=November 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name="tramel">{{cite web|last=Atari Corp.|title=Amendment to General Statement of Beneficial Ownership&nbsp;– Schedule 13D|publisher=Atari Inc.|date=March 29, 1994|url=http://www.secinfo.com/dMESy.bd.htm|access-date=February 2, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411061736/http://www.secinfo.com/dMESy.bd.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2008}}</ref> while the remaining part of Atari, Inc. was renamed Atari Games Inc.<ref name=gamesinc>{{cite web|last = Current|first = Michael D.|title = A Brief Timeline of the Atari Divisions Initially Retained by Warner Communications, July 1984 to Present|date = 2004–2007|url = http://mcurrent.name/atariholdings.html|access-date = November 6, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071219041447/http://mcurrent.name/atariholdings.html|archive-date = December 19, 2007|url-status = dead|df = mdy-all}}</ref> In early 1985, Warner established a new corporation jointly with [[Namco]] subsequently named [[Atari Games Corporation]], which took control of Atari's coin-operated games division. The rights to Atari, Inc.'s game properties were shared between the two companies: Atari Corporation receiving the [[trademark]]s and the home rights,<ref name="RG-94">{{Cite magazine|date=September 2011|title=Atari Corporation Part 2|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=94|pages=86}}</ref> while Atari Games receiving the rights to use the logo and brand name with appended text "Games" on arcade products. In 1996, Atari Corporation [[reverse takeover|reverse-merged]] with disk-drive manufacturer [[JT Storage]] (JTS)<ref name=atarijts>{{Cite news |title=Atari Agrees To Merge With Disk-Drive Maker|newspaper=The New York Times|page=1|date=February 14, 1996|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/14/business/company-news-atari-agrees-to-merge-with-disk-drive-maker.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206024135/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE5DB1239F937A25751C0A960958260|archive-date=December 6, 2008 |agency=[[Bloomberg Business News]]}}</ref> and effectively perished. In 1998, Hasbro Interactive, part of the toy company [[Hasbro]], acquired all Atari Corporation–related properties from JTS,<ref name=hasbrojts>{{cite web|title=FORM 8-K Filing for transfer of assets to Hasbro Interactive from JTS|publisher=Securities And Exchange Commission|date=February 23, 1998|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/941167/0001047469-98-009085.txt|access-date=November 6, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605030729/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/941167/0001047469-98-009085.txt|archive-date=June 5, 2011}}</ref> as part of a subsidiary which it then renamed to Atari Interactive.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998 |title=Atari Goes to Hasbro |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/atari-goes-to-hasbro/1100-2462915/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> Meanwhile, Atari Games was acquired by [[Midway Games]] in 1996, and effectively retired the Atari name on arcades by 2000 to avoid public confusion with Hasbro's Atari home releases.
The original Atari was founded in 1972 by [[Nolan Bushnell]] and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in [[arcade game]]s, home [[video game console]]s, and [[home computer]]s. The company's products, such as [[PONG]] and the [[Atari 2600]], helped define [[computer]] entertainment industry from the 1970s to the mid-1980s.
 
Infogrames Entertainment (IESA) – precursor of the present-day Atari SA – became the new owner of the Atari brand after buying Hasbro Interactive in 2001, renaming it Infogrames Interactive, which intermittently published Atari-branded home titles. In 2003, it renamed the division Atari Interactive. Another IESA division called Infogrames Inc.,<ref name=infinc>{{cite web|title = Infogrames Entertainment Corporate Profile and Annual Report|publisher=Infogrames Entertainment SA|date = 2006|page = 7|url =http://corporate.infogrames.com/MT-3.34-en/mt-static/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/DOCDEREF05_06GB.pdf|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071127234614/http://corporate.infogrames.com/MT-3.34-en/mt-static/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/DOCDEREF05_06GB.pdf|url-status =dead|archive-date =November 27, 2007|access-date = November 6, 2007}}</ref> which was founded as GT Interactive, changed its name to [[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari, Inc.]] the same year, licensing the Atari name and logo from its fellow subsidiary.<ref name=subsidiary/><ref name=infointeractive>{{cite web|title= Civilization III:Play The World Press Release|publisher= Infogrames Inc.|date= May 8, 2002|url= http://www.civ3.com/pressrelease.cfm|access-date= November 6, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071012130226/http://civ3.com/pressrelease.cfm|archive-date= October 12, 2007|url-status= dead| df= mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=incnamechange>{{cite web|last = Atari Inc.|title = 10-KT · For 3/31/03, Overview Subsection|publisher=Atari Inc.|date = March 31, 2003|url =http://www.secinfo.com/dsvr4.28Z7.htm#5ug|access-date = November 6, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080127013429/http://www.secinfo.com/dsvr4.28Z7.htm|archive-date=January 27, 2008|url-status= live}}</ref> In 2008, IESA completed its acquisition of Atari, Inc.'s outstanding stock, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.<ref name="completion">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/infogrames-completes-atari-inc-acquisition|title=Infogrames completes Atari Inc acquisition|date=October 11, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701172723/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/infogrames-completes-atari-inc-acquisition|archive-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> IESA renamed itself Atari SA in 2009 which remains the [[status quo]]. It sought bankruptcy protection under French law in 2013. On the other hand, Atari's post-1984 arcade titles are the property of [[Warner Bros. Games]] since receiving the assets following Midway's bankruptcy in 2009.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Packwood |first=Lewis |date=2024 |title=Breakout |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |pages=72– |issue=397}}</ref>
[[Atari Games]] was split off in 1984 with the rights to use the brand on arcade games, such as [[Klax]], [[Gauntlet]] and [[Roadblasters]] as well as rights to the original 1972 - 1984 arcade properties. This separate company became part of [[Midway Games]], which pulled out of the coin-op market and no longer uses the Atari name. It had no connection to IESA.
 
==History==
[[Image:atari_logo.png|left|Original Atari logo]]
Since the early days of coin operated machines, Atari has been responsible for home consoles such as the [[Atari 2600]] (VCS); produced a series of [[Atari 8-bit family|eight-bit computers]] (Atari 400 & 800); taken part in the 16 bit computer revolution with the [[Atari ST]]; made the revolutionary (for its time) 64-bit [[Atari Jaguar]]; and released a hand held video game console, the [[Atari Lynx]].
 
===Logotype{{Anchor|Logo}}===
===The 1970s: The rise of a video game empire===
The name comes from the [[Japanese language|Japanese]] term ''[[List of Go terms#Atari|atari]]'', used while playing the ancient board game [[Go (game)|Go]]. The word ''atari'' means "to hit a target" in Japanese; in Go, it indicates a situation where a player will be able to capture one or more stones of the opponent in the next move.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://senseis.xmp.net/?Atari. |title= Atari at Sensei's Library|website=senseis.xmp.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128094056/https://senseis.xmp.net/?Atari |archive-date=January 28, 2022}}</ref>
[[Image:Atari2600wood4.jpg|right|thumb|The second version of the Atari ''Video Computer System'', sold from 1980 to 1981]]
 
The Atari [[logo]] was designed by [[George Opperman]], who was Atari's first in-house graphic designer, and drawn by Evelyn Seto.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play|last=Marie|first=Meagan|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2018|isbn=978-0241395066|pages=18}}</ref> The design is known as "Fuji" for its resemblance to the [[Mount Fuji|Japanese mountain]], although the logo's origins are unrelated to it. Opperman designed the logo intending for the silhouette to look like the letter A as in Atari and for its three "prongs" to resemble players and the midline of the "court" in the company's first hit game, ''Pong''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Glory of Atari's Original Logo|url=http://kotaku.com/5864035/the-glory-of-ataris-original-logo|website=Kotaku|date=December 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312002909/http://kotaku.com/5864035/the-glory-of-ataris-original-logo|archive-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref>
In 1966 [[Nolan Bushnell]] saw [[Spacewar!]] for the first time at the [[University of Utah]]. Deciding there was commercial potential in a coin-op version, several years later he and [[Ted Dabney]] worked on a hand-wired custom computer capable of playing it on a black and white [[television]] in a single-player mode where the player shot at two orbiting [[UFO]]s. The resulting game, [[Computer Space]], was released by an existing coin-op game company, [[Nutting Associates]].
 
===Atari Inc. (1972–1984)===
Computer Space did not fare well commercially when it was placed in Nutting's customary market, bars. Feeling that the game was simply too complex for the average (potentially drunk) customer, Bushnell started looking for new ideas. In 1971 he saw a demonstration of the [[Magnavox Odyssey]], and quickly produced an arcade version, [[PONG]]. After negotiations with Nutting to release PONG through them broke down, Bushnell and his partner Ted Dabney decided to start their own company.
{{Main|Atari, Inc.}}
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2016}}
[[File:TeleGames-Atari-Pong.jpg|thumb|Atari-Telegames Home Pong (1975)]]
In 1971, [[Nolan Bushnell]] and [[Ted Dabney]] founded a small engineering company, Syzygy Engineering,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/arcade/arcade70.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030703021923/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/arcade/arcade70.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2003 |title=Atari Coin-Op/Arcade Systems |website=www.atarimuseum.com |access-date=July 8, 2016 }}</ref> that designed ''[[Computer Space]]'', the world's first commercially available arcade video game, for Nutting Associates. On June 27, 1972, the two incorporated Atari, Inc. and soon hired [[Al Alcorn]] as their first design engineer. Bushnell asked Alcorn to produce an arcade version of the [[Magnavox Odyssey]]'s Tennis game,<ref name="nolanmagnavox">{{cite web|author=Ador Yano |url=http://www.ralphbaer.com/video_game_history.htm |title=Video game history |publisher=Ralphbaer.com |access-date=December 27, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223011401/http://www.ralphbaer.com/video_game_history.htm |archive-date=December 23, 2011 }}</ref> which would be named ''[[Pong]]''. Before Atari's incorporation, Bushnell considered various terms from the game ''[[Go (game)|Go]]'', eventually choosing ''[[Atari (go)|atari]]'', referencing a position in the game when a group of stones is imminently in danger of being taken by one's opponent. Atari was incorporated in the state of California on June 27, 1972.<ref name="inc1972">{{cite web|url=http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C0654542|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016062150/http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C0654542|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 16, 2007|title=California Secretary of State – California Business Search – Corporation Search Results|date=October 16, 2007|access-date=December 30, 2016}}</ref>
 
[[File:Atari-2600-Wood-4Sw-Set.jpg|thumb|The third version of the [[Atari 2600]], which was sold from 1979 to 1986]]
They originally wanted to call the company [[Syzygy]], an astronomical term. However, as there already existed at least one company with that name (Bushnell stated in an official interview that it was a candle company), Bushnell wrote down several words from the game [[Go (board game)|Go]], eventually choosing ''atari'', a term that in the context of the game means a state where a [[Rules of go#Stones|stone]] or group of stones is imminently in danger of being taken by one's opponent. In Japanese, ''atari'' is the nominalized form of ''ataru'', which literally means to "target" or "aim at" something. Also, the name "Atari" is arguably more memorable than "Syzygy" in terms of spelling and pronunciation for most markets. Atari was incorporated in 1972. In 1972, Atari created the first PONG out of a Black & White T.V. from Walgreens, and a coin- mech on the side and put it in a pub. PONG went on to be a massive hit, only more so in [[video game console]] form, far better known than the Odyssey that spawned it.
In 1973, Atari secretly spawned a competitor called [[Kee Games]], headed by Nolan's next-door neighbor Joe Keenan, to circumvent [[pinball]] distributors' insistence on exclusive distribution deals; both Atari and Kee could market nearly the same game to different distributors, each getting an "exclusive" deal. Joe Keenan's management of the subsidiary led to his appointment as president of Atari when Kee was absorbed into the company in 1974.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Monfort |first1=Nick |last2=Bogost |first2=Ian |title=Racing the Beam |publisher=MIT Press |date=March 31, 2009 |orig-year=1st. Pub. 2009 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/guidetolcshinfor00doej/page/20 20] |chapter=Chapter 2: Combat |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqePfdz_x6gC&q=kee+games+competitor&pg=PA20 |isbn=9780262012577 |name-list-style=amp |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/guidetolcshinfor00doej/page/20 }}</ref>
 
[[File:Atari-5200-4-Port-wController-L.jpg|thumb|[[Atari 5200]] (1982)]]
In 1973, Atari secretly spawned a "competitor" called [[Kee Games]], headed by Nolan's next door neighbor Joe Keenan, to circumvent pinball distributors' insistence on exclusive distribution deals; both Atari and Kee could market (virtually) the same game to different distributors, with each getting an "exclusive" deal. Though Kee's relationship to Atari was discovered in 1974, Joe Keenan did such a good job managing the subsidiary that he was promoted to president of Atari that same year.
In 1975, Atari's [[Grass Valley, California]] subsidiary Cyan Engineering started the development of a flexible console that was capable of playing the four existing Atari games. The result was the [[Atari 2600|Atari Video Computer System]], or VCS (later renamed 2600 when the 5200 was released). The introductory price of $199 ({{Inflation|US|199|1976|fmt=eq}}) included a console, two joysticks, a pair of paddles, and the ''Combat'' game cartridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toytales.ca/atari-2600/ |title=Atari 2600 {{!}} Toys with a History {{!}} Toy Tales – Todd Coopee |date=December 28, 2015 |language=en-US |access-date=July 8, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619185554/https://toytales.ca/atari-2600/ |archive-date=June 19, 2017 }}</ref> Bushnell knew he had another potential hit on his hands but bringing the machine to market would be extremely expensive. Looking for outside investors, Bushnell sold Atari to [[Time-Warner|Warner Communications]] in 1976 for $28 million. Nolan continued to have disagreements with Warner Management over the direction of the company, the discontinuation of the pinball division, and most importantly, the notion of discontinuing the 2600. In December 1978, Bushnell was fired as chairman and co-CEO following an argument with Manny Gerard. He decided to leave the company rather than take an advisory role.
 
[[File:Atari-7800-Console-Set.jpg|right|thumb|[[Atari 7800]] (1986)]]
In 1975 Bushnell started an effort to produce a flexible video game console that was capable of playing all four of Atari's then-current games. Development took place at an offshoot engineering lab, who initially had serious difficulties trying to produce such a machine. However, in early 1976 the now-famous [[MOS Technology 6502]] was released, and for the first time the team had a [[CPU]] with both the high-performance and low-cost needed to meet their needs. The result was the [[Atari 2600]], which is one of the most successful consoles in history.
The development of a successor to the 2600 started as soon as it shipped. The original team estimated the 2600 had a lifespan of about three years; it then set forth to build the most powerful machine possible within that time frame. Mid-way into their effort the [[home computer]] revolution took off, leading to the addition of a keyboard and features to produce the [[Atari 8-bit computers|Atari 800]] and its smaller sibling, the 400. The new machines had some success when they finally became available in quantity in 1980. From this platform Atari released their next-generation game console in 1982, the [[Atari 5200]]. It was unsuccessful due to incompatibility with the 2600 game library, a small quantity of dedicated games, and notoriously unreliable controllers. Porting arcade games to home systems with inferior hardware was difficult. The [[port (video gaming)|ported]] version of ''[[Pac-Man (Atari 2600)|Pac-Man]]'' for Atari 2600 omitted many of the visual features of the original to compensate for the lack of [[read-only memory|ROM]] space and the hardware struggled when multiple ghosts appeared on the screen creating a flickering effect.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nicoll |first1=Benjamin |title=Bridging the Gap: The Neo Geo, the Media Imaginary, and the Domestication of Arcade Games |journal=Games and Culture |date=2015 |doi=10.1177/1555412015590048|s2cid=147981978 }}</ref>
 
Under Warner and Atari's chairman and CEO, [[Raymond Kassar]], the company achieved its greatest success, selling millions of 2600s and computers. At its peak, Atari accounted for a third of Warner's annual income and was the fastest-growing company in US history at the time. It ran into problems in the early 1980s. Faced with fierce competition and price wars in the game console and home computer markets, Atari was never able to duplicate the success of the 2600.
Bushnell knew he had another potential hit on his hands, but bringing the machine to market would be extremely expensive. Looking for outside investors, in 1976 Bushnell sold Atari to [[Time-Warner|Warner Communications]] for an estimated $28&ndash;$32 million, using part of the money to buy the Folgers Mansion. He departed from the division in 1979.
 
These problems were followed by the [[video game crash of 1983]], with losses that totaled more than $500 million. Warner's stock price slid from $60 to $20, and the company began searching for a buyer for its troubled division. In 1983, Ray Kassar resigned. Financial problems continued to mount and Kassar's successor, [[James J. Morgan]], had less than a year in which to tackle the company's problems. He began a massive restructuring of the company and worked with Warner Communications in May 1984 to create "NATCO" (an acronym for New Atari Company). NATCO further streamlined the company's facilities, personnel, and spending. Unknown to James Morgan and the senior management of Atari, Warner had been in talks with Tramel Technology to buy assets pertaining to Atari's consumer electronics and home computer businesses. Negotiating until close to midnight on July 1, 1984, [[Jack Tramiel]] completed the asset purchase for $240 million in promissory notes and stocks. Warner gained a 20% stake in Tramel Technology, which was renamed Atari Corporation.<ref name="sale">{{Cite news
A project to design a successor to the 2600 started as soon as the system shipped. The original development team estimated the 2600 had a lifespan of about three years, and decided to build the most powerful machine they could given that time frame. By the middle of the effort's time-frame the [[home computer]] revolution was taking off, so the new machines were adapted with the addition of a keyboard and various inputs to produce the [[Atari 8-bit family|Atari 800]], and its smaller cousin, the 400. Although a variety of issues made them less attractive than the [[Apple II]] for some users, the new machines had some level of success when they finally became available in quantity in 1980.
|last=Sange
|first=David E.
|title=Warner Sells Atari To Tramiel
|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]
|pages=Late City Final Edition, Section D, Page 1, Column 6, 1115 words
|date=July 3, 1984 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/03/business/warner-sells-atari-to-tramiel.html
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118132248/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/03/business/warner-sells-atari-to-tramiel.html
|archive-date=November 18, 2016 }}</ref> Warner also sold the Ataritel division to [[Mitsubishi Electric|Mitsubishi]].
 
===Atari Corporation (1984–1996)===
While part of Warner, Atari achieved its greatest success, selling millions of 2600s and computers. At its peak, Atari accounted for a third of Warner's annual income and was the fastest-growing company in the history of the United States at the time.
{{Main|Atari Corporation}}
[[Image:Atari 1040STf.jpg|thumb|[[Atari ST]] (1985)]]
Under Tramiel's ownership, Atari Corp. used the remaining stock of game console inventory to keep the company afloat while they finished development on a 16/32-bit computer system, the [[Atari ST]]. ("ST" stands for "sixteen/thirty-two", referring to the machines' 16-bit bus and 32-bit processor core.) In April 1985, they released an update to the 8-bit computer line, the Atari 65XE, the first in the [[Atari XE]] series. June 1985 saw the release of the Atari 130XE; Atari User Groups received early sneak-preview samples of the new Atari 520ST's, and major retailer shipments hit store shelves in September 1985 of Atari's new 32-bit [[Atari ST]] computers. In 1986, Atari launched two consoles designed under Warner&nbsp;— the Atari 2600jr and the [[Atari 7800]] console (which saw limited release in 1984). Atari rebounded, earning a $25 million profit that year.
 
[[File:Atari-Portfolio-Computer.jpg|thumb|[[Atari Portfolio]] (1989)]]
===The 1980s: Hurdles ahead===
In 1987, Atari acquired the [[Federated Group]] for $67.3 million, securing shelf space in over 60 stores in California, Arizona, Texas and Kansas<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-24-fi-2005-story.html |title=Atari to Acquire Federated Group for $67.3 Million : Deal Would Give Video Pioneer Access to a Retail Network |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 25, 1987 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402085921/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-24/business/fi-2005_1_atari |archive-date=April 2, 2013 }}</ref> at a time when major American electronics outlets were reluctant to carry Atari-branded computers, and two-thirds of Atari's PC production was sold in Europe.<ref name=Pollack>{{cite news|last=Pollack |first=Andrew |title=Atari to Acquire Electronics Retailer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/25/business/atari-to-acquire-electronics-retailer.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 25, 1987 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213084721/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/25/business/atari-to-acquire-electronics-retailer.html |archive-date=December 13, 2013 }}</ref> The Federated Group (not related to [[Federated Department Stores]]) was sold to [[Silo (store)|Silo]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite news|author=APPublished: November 11, 1989 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/11/business/company-news-atari-is-selling-26-federated-stores.html |title=COMPANY NEWS; Atari Is Selling 26 Federated Stores |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 11, 1989 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517223923/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/11/business/company-news-atari-is-selling-26-federated-stores.html |archive-date=May 17, 2013 }}</ref>
Although the 2600 had garnered the lion's share of the home video game market, it experienced its first stiff competition in 1980 from [[Mattel|Mattel's]] [[Intellivision]], which featured ads touting its superior graphics capabilities relative to the 2600. Still, the 2600 remained the industry standard-bearer, because of its market superiority, and because of Atari featuring (by far) the greatest variety of game titles available.
 
In 1988, the company unveiled the [[1040ST|1040STF]] and the Mega ST with a bit image manipulator chip, and launched its first [[Parallel computing|parallel computer]]. The [[Atari Transputer Workstation|ATW-800 Transputer]] was based on the [[Inmos]] T800 CPU, which had a 32/64-bit architecture, ran at 15 million instructions per second (MIPS) and housed a Charity video chip that supported 16 million colors. The company continued to experiment with parallel computing aiming at B2B customers and graphic designers, but the transputer line failed to achieve commercial success.
However, Atari ran into problems in the early 1980s. Its [[home computer]], [[video game console]], and [[Video arcade|arcade]] divisions operated independently of one another and rarely cooperated. Faced with fierce competition and price wars in the game console and home computer markets, Atari was never able to duplicate the success of the 2600.
 
[[File:Atari-Lynx-I-Handheld.jpg|thumb|[[Atari Lynx]] (1989)]]
*In 1982, Atari released disappointing versions of two highly publicized games, [[Pac-Man]] and [[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Atari 2600)|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]], causing a pileup of unsold inventory and depressing prices. (It is rumored that in 1983, in response to a massive number of returned orders from distributors, [http://www.snopes.com/business/market/atari.asp Atari buried millions of unsold game cartridges] (the bulk of them consisting of those same two titles, Pac-Man and E.T.) in a [[New Mexico]] [[desert]] [[landfill]].)
In 1989, Atari released the [[Atari Lynx]], the first ever handheld console with a color display and a backlit screen, to much fanfare. A shortage of parts kept the system from being released nationwide for the 1989 Christmas season, and the Lynx lost market share to Nintendo's [[Game Boy]], which, despite only having a black and white display, was cheaper, had better battery life and had much higher availability. Tramiel emphasized computers over game consoles, but Atari's proprietary computer architecture and operating system fell victim to the success of the [[Wintel]] platform while the game market revived. In 1989, Atari Corp. sued Nintendo for $250 million, alleging it had an illegal monopoly.<ref name="nintendosuit">{{Cite news
*Also in 1982, Atari settled a court case with [[Activision]], a competing game developer primarily composed of disgruntled Atari ex-employees, officially opening the 2600 to third-party development. The market quickly became saturated, depressing prices further.
|title=Nintendo Is Sued by Atari
*In December of 1982, Atari executives [[Ray Kassar]] and [[Dennis Groth]] were investigated for allegations of insider trading (later found to be false).
|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]
*Larry Emmons, employee No.3, retired in 1982. He was head of research and development of the small group of talented engineers in Grass Valley, California, who had designed the 2600 and home computers.
|date=February 2, 1989 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/02/business/nintendo-is-sued-by-atari.html?sq=atari+nintendo+1989&scp=3&st=cse
*The [[Atari 5200]] game console, released as a next-generation follow up to the 2600, was based on the Atari 800 computer (but was incompatible with Atari 800 game cartridges), and its sales never met the company's expectations.
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206024120/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE6DB1439F931A35751C0A96F948260&scp=3&sq=atari%20nintendo%201989&st=cse
|archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref> Atari eventually lost the case when it was rejected by a [[United States district court|US district court]] in 1992.<ref name="nintendosuitrejected">{{Cite news
|title=COMPANY NEWS; Nintendo Suit by Atari Is Dismissed
|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]
|date=May 16, 1992 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/16/business/company-news-nintendo-suit-by-atari-is-dismissed.html?sq=atari+nintendo+rejected&scp=3&st=cse
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206024212/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DD143EF935A25756C0A964958260&scp=3&sq=atari%20nintendo%20rejected&st=cse
|archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref>
 
In 1991, Atari released its PCs ABC386SXII and ABC386DXII based on Intel's [[i386]] chip.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Atari 386 PC Brochure}}</ref>
Still, Atari held a formidable position in the world video game market. They were the number one console maker in every market except [[Japan]]; that market belonged to [[Nintendo]], which had released their first game console, the [[Famicom]] (known to the rest of the world as the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]) in 1983. The system took Japan by storm, and Nintendo began to look to other markets. They approached Atari and offered a licensing deal: Atari would build and sell the system, paying Nintendo a royalty. The deal was in the works, and the two companies tentatively decided to sign the agreement at the 1983 Summer [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]]. Unfortunately, at that same show [[Coleco]] was showcasing their new [[Coleco Adam|Adam computer]], and the display unit was running Nintendo's [[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]. Atari CEO [[Ray Kassar]] was furious, as Atari owned the rights to publish Donkey Kong for computers, and he accused Nintendo of double dealing with the Donkey Kong license. Nintendo, in turn, tore into Coleco, who only owned the console rights to the game. In the coming month, Ray Kassar was forced to leave Atari, and executives involved in the Famicom deal were forced to start over again from scratch.
 
[[Image:Atari-Jaguar-Console-Set.jpg|thumb|[[Atari Jaguar]] (1993)]]
These problems were followed by the infamous [[video game crash of 1983]], which caused losses that totaled more than $500 million. Warner's stock price slid from $60 to $20, and the company began searching for a buyer for its troubled division. As for Nintendo, Atari could no longer afford the Famicom deal. Although Nintendo were ultimately forced to market the Famicom themselves (as the NES), they managed to make a major success of the system without Atari's involvement (and their profit sharing).
In 1993, Atari positioned its [[Atari Jaguar|Jaguar]] as the only 64-bit interactive media entertainment system available, but it sold poorly. It would be the last home console to be produced by Atari and the last to be produced by an American manufacturer until [[Microsoft]]'s introduction of the [[Xbox]] in 2001.
 
By 1996, a series of successful lawsuits<ref name="segalawsuit">{{cite web
In July 1984, Warner sold the home computing and game console divisions of Atari to [[Jack Tramiel]], the recently ousted founder of Atari competitor [[Commodore International]], under the name '''Atari Corporation''' for $240 million in stocks under the new company. Warner retained the arcade division, continuing it under the name [[Atari Games]] and eventually selling it to [[Namco]] in 1985. Warner also sold the fledgling '''Ataritel''' to [[Mitsubishi]].
|last=Atari Inc.
|title=DEF 14A · For 6/5/95
|publisher=Atari Inc.
|date=June 5, 1995 |url=http://www.secinfo.com/dxF7c.a9.htm
|access-date=May 18, 2008 |url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206044238/http://www.secinfo.com/dxF7c.a9.htm
|archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref> had left Atari with millions of dollars in the bank, but the failure of the Lynx and Jaguar left Atari without a product to sell. Tramiel and his family also wanted out of the business. The result was a rapid succession of changes in ownership. In July 1996, Atari merged with [[JT Storage|JTS Inc.]], a short-lived maker of hard disk drives, to form JTS Corp.<ref name="Atari-Apr-1996-10-K405">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2393/89161896000213/filing-main.htm |title=Atari, Form 10-K405, Filing Date Apr 12, 1996 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516121307/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2393/89161896000213/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Atari-Aug-1996-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1014/89161896001833/filing-main.htm |title=Atari, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Aug 14, 1996 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516120000/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1014/89161896001833/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="jtmerger">{{cite web|url=http://contracts.onecle.com/atari/jt.mer.1996.04.08.shtml |title=Agreement and Plan of Reorganization – Atari Corp. and JT Storage Inc. – Sample Contracts and Business Forms |access-date=December 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209123854/http://contracts.onecle.com/atari/jt.mer.1996.04.08.shtml |archive-date=December 9, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ATARI CORPORATION AND JTS CORPORATION TO MERGE |url=http://www.atari.com/media/merger.html |website=Atari|access-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961029115929/http://www.atari.com/media/merger.html |archive-date=October 29, 1996 }}</ref> Atari's role in the new company largely became that of holder for the Atari properties and minor support, and consequently the name largely disappeared from the market. Video game magazines reported it as Atari exiting the video game business.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=1996 |title=Adios, Atari |magazine=[[GamePro]] |page=20 |issue=82}}</ref>
 
{{Blockquote|text=The end of an era — Atari's story is one that certainly should never be forgotten by anyone who has ever enjoyed a videogame.|author=from ''Next Generation'' magazine's special report on Atari, 1996<ref name="NGen24">{{cite magazine |last=Thomas |first=Don |date=December 1996 |title=Atari's Historic Road to Nowhere |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |pages=97–104 |issue=24}}</ref>}}
[[Image:Atari 1040STf.jpg|left|thumb|280px|Atari ST]]
 
===Atari Games Corporation (1985–1999)===
Under Tramiel's ownership, '''Atari Corp.''' used the remaining stock of game console inventory to keep the company afloat while they finished development of their 16-bit computer system, the [[Atari ST]]. In 1985 they released their update to the 8-bit computer line, the Atari XE series, as well as the 16-bit [[Atari ST]] line. Then, in 1986, Atari launched two consoles designed under the Warner Atari - Atari 2600jr and the [[Atari 7800]] console (which saw limited release in 1984). Atari rebounded, producing a $25 million profit that year. The Atari ST line proved very successful (but mostly in Europe, not the U.S.), ultimately selling more than 4 million units. It was especially popular among musicians, as it had built in [[MIDI]] ports. Still, its closest competitor in the marketplace, the [[Commodore Amiga]], outsold it 3 to 2. Atari eventually released a line of inexpensive [[IBM PC compatible]]s as well as an MS-DOS compatible palm computer called the Atari Portfolio.
{{Main|Atari Games}}
 
After the asset sale to Tramel Technology, Atari was renamed Atari Games, Inc. In 1985, Warner established a new corporation called AT Games, Inc. with [[Namco]], which purchased a controlling interest in the new venture. Warner then transferred the coin-operated games division of Atari Games, Inc. to AT Games, Inc., which renamed itself [[Atari Games Corporation]]. Warner renamed Atari Games, Inc. to Atari Holdings, which continued as a nonoperating subsidiary until 1992. In 1987, Namco sold 33% of its shares to a group of employees led by then-president Hideyuki Nakajima.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8kFqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT104|title=Hey! Listen!: A journey through the golden era of video games|last=McNeil|first=Steve|date=April 18, 2019|publisher=Headline|isbn=9781472261342|pages=104}}</ref> He had been the president of Atari Games since 1985. Atari Ireland was a subsidiary of Atari Games that manufactured their games for the European market.
In 1989, Atari also released the [[Atari Lynx]], a handheld console with color graphics, to critical acclaim. However, a shortage of parts kept the system from being released nationwide for the 1989 Christmas season. As a result, the Lynx lost market share to Nintendo's [[Game Boy]], which had only a black and white display but was widely available. Also in 1989, Atari Corp. sued Nintendo for $250 million, alleging it had an illegal monopoly. Atari lost.
 
Atari Games continued to manufacture arcade games and units, and starting in 1988, also sold cartridges for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] under the [[Tengen (company)|Tengen]] brand name, including [[Tetris (Atari)|a version of ''Tetris'']]. The companies exchanged a number of lawsuits in the late 1980s related to disputes over the rights to ''Tetris'' and Tengen's circumvention of Nintendo's lockout chip, which prevented third parties from creating unauthorized games. The suit finally reached a settlement in 1994, with Atari Games paying Nintendo cash damages and the use of several patent licenses.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Atari's Full-Court Press|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=59|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=June 1994|page=184}}</ref>
===The 1990s: Decline===
As the fortunes of Atari's ST and PC compatible computers faded, consoles and software again became the company's main focus. In 1993, Atari released its last console, the [[Atari Jaguar|Jaguar]]. After a period of initial success, it, too, failed to meet expectations. It was not nearly as powerful as [[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment's]] [[PlayStation]] or [[Sega|Sega's]] [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] and lacked the extensive third party support its Japanese competitors had easily secured for their consoles.
 
In April 1996, after an unsuccessful bid by Atari cofounder [[Nolan Bushnell]], the company was sold to [[WMS Industries]], owners of the Williams, [[Bally Manufacturing|Bally]], and [[Midway Games|Midway]] arcade brands, which restored the use of the Atari Games name.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Tidbits... |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=82 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=May 1996 |page=17}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Time Warner to Quit Game Business|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=21 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=September 1996|page=15}}</ref> On November 19, 1999, Atari Games Corporation was renamed Midway Games West Inc.,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=01265708-6218022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621143901/https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=01265708-6218022|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 21, 2020|title=Certificate of Amendment: Atari Games|publisher=California Secretary of State|date=December 22, 1999}}</ref><ref name="historyofatarigames">{{Cite web|url=http://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/at_games.html|title=A History of AT Games / Atari Games / Midway Games West|website=mcurrent.name|access-date=January 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614152215/http://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/at_games.html|archive-date=June 14, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> resulting in the Atari Games name no longer being used, with ''[[San Francisco Rush 2049]]'' being the final Atari-branded arcade release.
By 1996, a series of successful lawsuits followed by profitable investments had left Atari with millions of dollars in the bank, but the failure of the Lynx and Jaguar left Atari without any products to sell. In addition, Tramiel and his family wanted out. The result was a rapid succession of changes in ownership. In July 1996, Atari merged with [[JT Storage|JTS Inc.]],a short-lived maker of hard disk drives, to form JTS Corp. Atari's role in the new company largely became a holder for the Atari properties and minor support, consequently the name largely disappeared from the market.
 
===Hasbro Interactive (1998–2000)===
Although the original Atari ceased to exist, a large amount of underground development remains for Atari's game systems and computers of the 1970s and 1980s, and many of the retro-gaming conventions (such as World Of Atari, [[Classic Gaming Expo]], Philly Classic, and the Midwest Gaming Classic), focus largely on Atari. There are also websites dedicated to the release of new products for the original Atari consoles and computers, such as [[AtariAge]].
{{Main|Atari Interactive}}
On March 13, 1998, JTS sold the Atari name and assets to [[Hasbro Interactive]] for $5 million.<ref name="JTS-Mar-1998-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/524/104746998009085/filing-main.htm |title=JTS, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Mar 9, 1998 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516113642/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/524/104746998009085/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/atari-goes-to-hasbro/1100-2462915/ |title=Atari Goes to Hasbro |last=Johnston |first=Chris |date=April 8, 2000 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> This transaction primarily involved the brand and intellectual property, which now fell under the Atari Interactive division of Hasbro Interactive. Two years after Atari's "death",<ref name=":0" /> the brand made a comeback with Hasbro immediately stating the development of new remakes of Atari classics, starting with [[Centipede (1998 video game)|''Centipede'']] released on Windows PCs later that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Centipede crawls again - Mar. 16, 1998 |url=https://money.cnn.com/1998/03/16/deals/hasbro/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=money.cnn.com}}</ref>
 
The brand name changed hands again in December 2000 when French software publisher [[Atari SA|Infogrames]] took over Hasbro Interactive.<ref name="Hasbro-Dec-2000-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2187/4608000000017/filing-main.htm |title=Hasbro, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Dec 7, 2000 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516114500/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2187/4608000000017/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/infogrames-acquires-hasbro-interactive/1100-2662124/ |title=Infogrames Acquires Hasbro Interactive |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=December 6, 2000 |website=GameSpot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/infogrames-buys-hasbro/1100-2662076/ |title=Infogrames Buys Hasbro |last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |date=December 6, 2000 |website=GameSpot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/infogrames-completes-hasbro-interactive-acquisition/1100-2679841/ |title=Infogrames completes Hasbro Interactive acquisition |date=January 29, 2001 |website=GameSpot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2001/digital/news/infogrames-completes-100-mil-hasbro-deal-1117792869/ |title=Infogrames completes $100 mil Hasbro deal |last=Graser |first=Mark |date=January 29, 2001 |website=Variety |access-date=January 29, 2001}}</ref>
In March 1998, JTS sold the Atari name and assets to Hasbro Interactive for $5 million&mdash;less than a fifth of what Warner Communications had paid 22 years earlier. This transaction primarily involved the [[brand]] and [[intellectual property]], which now fell under the Atari Interactive division of Hasbro Interactive. The brand name changed hands again in December 2000, when French software publisher [[Infogrames]] took over [[Hasbro Interactive]].
 
===Infogrames and Atari SA (2001–present)===
In the meantime, [[Atari Games]] was bought out by its employees in 1986, who also founded [[Tengen (company)|Tengen]] to bring their arcade games in to the home. The new [[Time-Warner]] eventually started gaining more and more shares in the company until they eventually owned the company completely again by 1994. At that point Atari Games became part of Time-Warner Interactive (TWI). By 1996, Time-Warner sold TWI to [[Williams (gaming company)|WMS Industries, Inc.]], owner of [[Midway Games|Midway]] at the time. WMS brought the properties under Midway (which it now renamed Midway Games Inc.). In 1998, Midway was sold to its shareholders and spun off as a separate company. Over 1999-2000, Midway held closed door proceedings with Hasbro which ultimately led to Atari Games being renamed Midway Games West. Midway left the arcade industry in 2001, and shut down Midway Games West in 2003 - closing the chapter on what was left of the original Atari arcade division.
{{Main|Atari SA}}
[[File:Atari Logo2.svg|thumb|Atari logo used by Atari SA from 2003 to 2009]]
[[File:Atari FB2.JPG|thumb|[[Atari Flashback 2]]]]
In October 2001, Infogrames Entertainment SA (IESA, now [[Atari SA]]) announced that it was "reinventing" the Atari brand with the launch of three new games featuring a prominent Atari branding on their boxarts: ''[[Splashdown (video game)|Splashdown]]'', ''[[MX Rider]]'' and ''[[TransWorld Surf]]''.<ref name="returnofataribrand">{{cite web
|title =Infogrames ready to ship first games under Atari brand
|publisher=Gamespot.com
|date = October 31, 2001
|url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/splashdown/news/2821519/infogrames-ready-to-ship-first-games-under-atari-brand
|access-date = September 9, 2011}}</ref> Infogrames used Atari as a brand name for games aimed at 18–34 year olds. Other Infogrames games under the Atari name included ''[[V-Rally 3]]'', ''[[Neverwinter Nights (2002 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]'', ''[[Stuntman (video game)|Stuntman]]'' and ''[[Enter the Matrix]]''.
 
On May 8, 2003, IESA had its majority-owned but discrete US subsidiary [[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Infogrames, Inc.]] officially renamed Atari, Inc.,<ref name="Atari-May-2003-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/597/95012303005486/filing-main.htm |title=Atari, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date May 8, 2003 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516120453/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/597/95012303005486/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> renamed its European operations to Atari Europe but kept the original name of the main company Infogrames Entertainment. The original Atari holdings division purchased from Hasbro, originally Hasbro Interactive and later Infogrames Interactive, was renamed [[Atari Interactive]].
===The 2000s: Revival and re-release of Atari classics===
In October 2001, [[Infogrames]] announced that it was "reinventing" the Atari brand with the launch of three new games. On [[May 7]], [[2003]], Infogrames officially reorganized its US subsidiary as a separate entity known as '''Atari, Inc.'''. It named its European operations to Atari Europe, and kept the main holdings company as Infogrames Entertainment.
 
==== Atari, Inc. buyout and name change to Atari SA ====
[[Image:Atari Classics 10 in 1 TV Games.jpg|thumb|Atari 10-in-1 TV Game]]
On March 6, 2008, IESA made an offer to [[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari, Inc.]] to buy out all remaining public shares for a value of $1.68 per share, or $11 million total.<ref name="Atari-Mar-2008-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1415/0000950123-08-002638.pdf |title=Atari, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Mar 7, 2008 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516113604/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1415/0000950123-08-002638.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> The offer would make IESA sole owner of Atari, Inc., thus making it a privately held company.<ref name="offer">{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080306/nyth121.html?.v=101|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529210707/http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080306/nyth121.html?.v=101|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 29, 2008|title=Atari, Inc. Reports Receipt of Non-Binding Offer from Infogrames Entertainment S.A.: Financial News – Yahoo! Finance|date=May 29, 2008|access-date=December 30, 2016}}</ref> On April 30, 2008, Atari, Inc. announced its intentions to accept Infogrames' buyout offer and to merge with Infogrames.<ref name="Atari-May-2008-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/724/0000950123-08-004946.pdf |title=Atari, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date May 1, 2008 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516114404/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/724/0000950123-08-004946.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="buyoutapproved">{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080430/nyw164.html?.v=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527190525/http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080430/nyw164.html?.v=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 27, 2008|title=Infogrames Entertainment S.A. and Atari, Inc. Announce Agreement to Merge: Financial News – Yahoo! Finance|date=May 27, 2008|access-date=December 30, 2016}}</ref> On October 8, 2008, IESA completed its acquisition of Atari, Inc., making it a wholly owned subsidiary.<ref name="completion" /><ref name="Atari-Oct-2008-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2198/0000950123-08-012418.pdf |title=Atari, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Oct 9, 2008 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516121431/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2198/0000950123-08-012418.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref>
[[Image:Atari Flashback Console.jpg|thumb|[[Atari Flashback]] Console]]
 
On December 9, 2008, Atari announced that it had acquired [[Cryptic Studios]], an [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPG]] developer.<ref name="cryptic">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/atari-acquires-cryptic-studios |title=Atari acquires Cryptic Studios |date=December 9, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830214715/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/atari-acquires-cryptic-studios |archive-date=August 30, 2009 }}</ref> [[Bandai Namco Entertainment|Namco Bandai]] purchased a 34% stake in Atari Europe on May 14, 2009, paving the way for its acquisition from IESA.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/namco-bandai-swallow-atari-europe |title=Namco Bandai To Swallow Atari Europe |access-date=May 30, 2009 |date=May 14, 2009 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723143840/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/namco-bandai-swallow-atari-europe/ |archive-date=July 23, 2015 }}</ref> Atari had significant financial issues for several years prior, with losses in the tens of millions since 2005.<ref name="Atari-Jul-2008-10-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/279/0000950123-08-007500.pdf |title=Atari, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Jul 1, 2008 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516113700/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/279/0000950123-08-007500.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> In May 2009, Infogrames Entertainment SA, the parent company of Atari, and Atari Interactive, announced it would change its name to Atari SA. In April 2010, Atari SA board member and former CEO David Gardner resigned. Original Atari co-founder [[Nolan Bushnell]] joined the board as a representative for Blubay holdings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/04/nolan-bushnell-rejoins-atari-phil-harrison-leaves.ars |title=Nolan Bushnell rejoins Atari, Phil Harrison leaves |author=Andrew Webster |date=April 20, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413082621/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/04/nolan-bushnell-rejoins-atari-phil-harrison-leaves.ars |archive-date=April 13, 2012 }}</ref> As of March 31, 2011, the board of directors consisted of Frank Dangeard, Jim Wilson, Tom Virden, Gene Davis and Alexandra Fichelson.<ref name="2011report" />
In 2002, [[Jakks Pacific]], a toy making company, released a [[TV game|plug-and-play]] video game console called the Atari 10-in-1 TV Game, believed by many to arouse interest in the concept of self-contained entertainment devices that did not require separate hardware to operate. It was battery-operated and shaped similarly to an Atari 2600 joystick, and included A/V ports. In 2004, the same company created a device called Atari Paddle Games, in the shape of one of the 2600's "paddle" controllers with appropriate titles included. However, as stated, neither of the games was directly released by Atari.
 
On January 21, 2013, the four related companies Atari, Atari Interactive, [[Humongous Entertainment|Humongous]], and California US Holdings filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atari-files-for-chapter-11-to-separate-from-french-parent-187698581.html |title=Atari Files For Chapter 11 To Separate From French Parent |publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=September 4, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926195436/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atari-files-for-chapter-11-to-separate-from-french-parent-187698581.html |archive-date=September 26, 2013 }}</ref> All three Ataris emerged from bankruptcy one year later and the entering of the social casino gaming industry with Atari Casino.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2014/03/26/atari-social-casino/6915065/ |title=Atari resets with jump into social casino gaming |author=Brett Molina |newspaper=USA Today |date=March 26, 2014 |access-date=March 26, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326225045/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2014/03/26/atari-social-casino/6915065/ |archive-date=March 26, 2014 }}</ref> Frederic Chesnais, who now heads all three companies, stated that their entire operations consist of a staff of 10 people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/03/26/atari-and-flowplay-team-up-to-offer-social-casino-games/ |title=Atari and FlowPlay team up to offer social casino games |author=Dean Takahashi |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=March 26, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126062413/http://venturebeat.com/2014/03/26/atari-and-flowplay-team-up-to-offer-social-casino-games/ |archive-date=November 26, 2016 }}</ref>
The same year that the Paddle Games were released, Atari released a TV game of their own which they called the [[Atari Flashback]] Console. The device they produced looked like a minute version of the Atari 7800 console originally released in 1984, 20 years previously. The two controllers were small as well, having a joystick and two red buttons on each side. Twenty titles were built into the system. Unlike most plug-and-plays, the Flashback was not powered by batteries, but an (included) AC adaptor instead. The Flashback did fairly well in sales; however, many Atari fans felt disappointed. Many people felt that the device itself was far too small, and the joysticks felt very dissimilar to those of the 7800. Since the games were all recreated on hardware more closely resembling the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] than the 7800, some of the aspects of certain games concerning the sound, graphics, or gameplay were either changed or omitted. Overall, many enthusiasts believed that the Flashback did not capture the true Atari experience.
 
==== Chesnais era (2013–2021) ====
Because of popular demand, Atari released a new version of the Flashback console, titled ''[[Atari Flashback 2]]'', in August 2005.
On June 22, 2014, Atari announced a new corporate strategy that would include a focus on "new audiences", specifically "[[LGBT]], social casinos, real-money gambling, and [[YouTube]]".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=Iconic Pong, Asteroids Publisher Atari Reveals "Comeback Strategy" |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/iconic-pong-asteroids-publisher-atari-reveals-comeback-strategy/1100-6420597/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811181405/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/iconic-pong-asteroids-publisher-atari-reveals-comeback-strategy/1100-6420597/ |archive-date=August 11, 2016 }}</ref>
 
On June 8, 2017, a short teaser video was released, promoting a new product;<ref>{{citation| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WNsmCpdhhY| title = First look: A brand new Atari product. Years in the making | work = Ataribox www.ataribox.com| publisher = YouTube| date = June 8, 2017}}</ref> and the following week Chesnais confirmed the company was developing a new game console – the hardware was stated to be based on PC technology, and still under development.<ref>{{citation| url =https://venturebeat.com/2017/06/16/atari-ceo-confirms-the-company-is-working-on-a-new-game-console/| title = Atari CEO confirms the company is working on a new game console| date = June 16, 2017| first =Dean| last = Takahasi | work = venturebeat.com}}</ref> In mid July 2017 an Atari press release confirmed the existence of the aforementioned new hardware, referred to as the "Ataribox". The box design was derived from early Atari designs (e.g. 2600) with a ribbed top surface, and a rise at the back of the console; two versions were announced: one with a traditional wood veneer front, and the other with a glass front. Connectivity options were revealed, including [[HDMI]], [[USB]] (x4), and [[SD card]] – the console was said to support both classic and current games.<ref>{{citation| url =https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/07/the-first-look-at-the-ataribox-ataris-new-console/| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170717083420/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/07/the-first-look-at-the-ataribox-ataris-new-console/| url-status =dead| archive-date =July 17, 2017| title = The First Look At The Ataribox, Atari's New Console| first = Alex|last = Walker| date = July 17, 2017| work = [[Kotaku Australia]]}}</ref> Also, according to an official company statement of June 22, 2017, the product was to be initially launched via a [[crowdfunding]] campaign in order to minimize any financial risk to the parent company.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/atari-precise-la-nature-de-l-ataribox-3050798755.html |title=Atari précise la nature de l'Ataribox |author=Jarod |date=September 27, 2017 |website=Gamekult }}</ref>
Also, in late October 2005, Atari released one of two collections of its classic arcade games only for the Nokia N-Gage console, titled Atari Masterpieces. Atari Masterpieces Volume I includes classic arcade games: Asteroids, Battlezone, Black Widow, Millipede, Missile Command, Red Baron, Lunar Lander and Super Breakout, and features an exclusive interview with Nolan Bushnell. Atari Masterpieces Volume II is scheduled to be released in March 2006.
 
[[File:Atari Vcs Oynx.jpg|thumb|[[Atari VCS (2021 console)|Atari VCS]]]]
On May 5th, 2006, Atari and Hasbro stopped Bioware and DLA from further development of premium modules and publishing near-completed premium modules for Neverwinter Nights. No reason was stated, but it was likely in anticipation of the upcoming sequel, Neverwinter Nights 2, which would lack features from these modules. They relented after community backlash.
On September 26, 2017, Atari sent out a press release about the new "[[Atari VCS (2021 console)|Atari VCS]]", which confirmed more details about the console. It runs a Linux operating system, with full access to the underlying OS, but it has a custom interface designed for the TV.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/atari-are-launching-a-new-gaming-system-the-ataribox-and-it-runs-linux.10418|title=Atari are launching a new gaming system, the 'Ataribox' and it runs Linux|work=GamingOnLinux|access-date=September 26, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
 
On January 27, 2020, Atari announced a deal with GSD Group to build Atari Hotels, with the first breaking ground in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] in mid-2020. Additional hotels were also planned in [[Las Vegas]], [[Denver]], [[Chicago]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Seattle]], [[San Francisco]], and [[San Jose, California|San Jose]]. The company plans to make the hotel experience immersive and accessible to all ages. Hotels are planned to include virtual and augmented reality technologies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://atarihotels.com/news/atari-announces-world-class-video-game-themed-atari-hotels-first-atari-hotel-to-begin-construction-in-phoenix-in-mid-2020/|title=ATARI ANNOUNCES WORLD-CLASS VIDEO GAME-THEMED ATARI HOTELS First Atari Hotel to Begin Construction in Phoenix in Mid-2020|work=Atari Hotels|access-date=February 2, 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/hotel/atari-to-bring-8-hotels-to-the-us-102685|title=Game Company Atari To Open 8 Hotels In The U.S.|website=Bisnow|language=en|access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tripstodiscover.com/atari-video-game-hotels/|title=Atari to Open 8 Video Game Hotels in the U.S.|website=TripsToDiscover|language=en|access-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref>
On [[September 1]], [[2006]] Atari announced that its stock faces [[delisting (stock)|delisting]] from [[NASDAQ]] since its price had fallen under $1.00. [http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10724] On [[September 5]], [[2006]] [[David Pierce (CEO)|David Pierce]] was appointed as new [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of Atari, replacing [[Bruno Bonnell]] who still maintains his position as [[Chairman]] and [[Chief Creative Officer]]. Pierce previously worked as an [[corporate officer|executive]] at [[Universal Pictures]], [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]], [[Sony Music Entertainment]] and [[Sony Wonder]]. [http://ds.ign.com/articles/730/730521p1.html]
 
On December 16, 2020, Atari shipped the first units of the [[Atari VCS (2021 console)|Atari VCS]] exclusive to backers of the systems [[crowdfunding]] campaign. Atari urged the backers to give feedback on the system so that the company could make changes to improve the product on its official launch.<ref>{{Cite press release|last=ATARI|date=2020-12-16|title=ATARI VCS: Shipping of the Indiegogo backer units Native integration of Google Chrome for enriched content Release of the dedicated VCS Companion App|url=http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/12/16/2146472/0/en/ATARI-VCS-Shipping-of-the-Indiegogo-backer-units-Native-integration-of-Google-Chrome-for-enriched-content-Release-of-the-dedicated-VCS-Companion-App.html|access-date=2021-03-11|website=GlobeNewswire News Room}}</ref> The consoles only ship to [[North America]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Atari VCS hybrid console/PC launches June 10 in New Zealand and Australia |url=https://www.shindig.nz/games/game-news/atari-vcs-hybrid-console-pc-launches-june-10-in-new-zealand-and-australia/ |date=8 June 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705114302/https://www.shindig.nz/games/game-news/atari-vcs-hybrid-console-pc-launches-june-10-in-new-zealand-and-australia/}}</ref>
==Atari's new titles and direction==
Recently, Atari's top-selling titles have been the [[Dragon Ball Z]] games based on the popular anime license from [[Toei Animation]] in [[Japan]]. These include the [[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai]] series of games for next-generation console systems and the [[Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku]] series of games for the Game Boy Advance. These games have topped the [[List of best selling computer and video games|best-seller charts]] for numerous console platforms since the release of Atari's first [[Dragon Ball Z]] game, [[Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku|The Legacy of Goku]] in 2002, which was the first [[Dragon Ball]] game to be made by an American company, [[Webfoot Technologies]], and is one of the [[List of best selling computer and video games|best-selling]] Game Boy Advance games of all time (#16). The best selling [[Budokai]] series is developed in Japan by [[Dimps]] and includes [[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai]], [[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2]], [[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3]] and [[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi]]. Following the success of the Budokai and Legacy of Goku series, Atari has released numerous other Dragon Ball titles including [[Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors]], [[Dragon Ball Z: Super Sonic Warriors 2]], [[Dragon Ball Z: Sagas]], [[Dragon Ball GT: Transformation]] and [[Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout]].
 
In 2020, Atari launched its decentralized cryptocurrency Atari Token in equal partnership with the ICICB Group.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=2020-05-14|title=Atari®️ Teams Up with Arkane Network to Integrate the Atari Token Across Digital Entertainment Ecosystem|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/05/14/2033545/0/en/Atari-%EF%B8%8F-Teams-Up-with-Arkane-Network-to-Integrate-the-Atari-Token-Across-Digital-Entertainment-Ecosystem.html|access-date=2021-04-04 |publisher=Atari Inc |via=GlobeNewswire News Room|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |date=2021-03-22|title=Atari Extends Hotel Partnership with ICICB Group to more Countries in Europe and Africa, and Asia|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/03/22/2196572/0/en/Atari-Extends-Hotel-Partnership-with-ICICB-Group-to-more-Countries-in-Europe-and-Africa-and-Asia.html|access-date=2021-03-29 |publisher=Atari |via=GlobeNewswire News Room|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |publisher=ATARI|date=2021-03-22|title=Atari Extends Hotel Partnership with ICICB Group to more Countries in Europe and Africa, and Asia|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/03/22/2196572/0/en/Atari-Extends-Hotel-Partnership-with-ICICB-Group-to-more-Countries-in-Europe-and-Africa-and-Asia.html|access-date=2021-04-04|website=GlobeNewswire News Room|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Trula|first=Esther Miguel|date=2021-03-16|title=Un hotel de Atari en Gibraltar: el último y loco proyecto turístico que aunará videojuegos con retrofuturismo|url=https://magnet.xataka.com/un-mundo-fascinante/hotel-atari-gibraltar-ultimo-loco-proyecto-turistico-que-aunara-videojuegos-retrofuturismo|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Magnet|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Atari® Partners with ICICB Group and Grants Licensing Rights to Build Atari Hotels in Dubai, Gibraltar, and Spain|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/atari-partners-icicb-group-grants-173000236.html|access-date=2021-04-04|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=March 10, 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Atari :® Partners with ICICB Group and Grants Licensing Rights to Build Atari : Hotels in Dubai, Gibraltar, and Spain |date=March 10, 2021 |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ATARI-S-A-2168735/news/Atari-nbsp-Partners-with-ICICB-Group-and-Grants-Licensing-Rights-to-Build-Atari-nbsp-Hotels-in-32653607/|access-date=2021-04-04 |publisher=MarketScreener |language=en}}</ref> Atari Group announced in March 2020 that it granted ICICB a non-exclusive license to run a cryptocurrency online casino on Atari's website, based on the Atari Token.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-19|title=Crypto Currency Casino Launch One Of 2020 Goals For Atari Group|url=https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/crypto-currency-casino-launch-one-of-2020-goals-for-atari-group/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=GamblingNews|language=en}}</ref> The group partnering with Atari opened a new company in Gibraltar called Atari Chain LTD.<ref>{{Cite press release |publisher=ATARI|date=2020-03-27|title=Atari: Launch of the Atari Token|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/03/27/2007876/0/en/Atari-Launch-of-the-Atari-Token.html|access-date=2021-03-29|via=GlobeNewswire News Room|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Atari Extends Hotel Partnership with ICICB Group to more Countries in Europe and Africa, and Asia|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/atari-extends-hotel-partnership-icicb-070000948.html|access-date=2021-04-05|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=March 22, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Atari® Partners with ICICB Group and Grants Licensing Rights to Build Atari Hotels in Dubai, Gibraltar, and Spain|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/atari-partners-icicb-group-grants-173000236.html|access-date=2021-04-05|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=March 10, 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In March 2021, Atari extended its partnership with ICICB Group for the development of Atari branded hotels,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Teams Up with Karma the Game of Destiny to Support In-Game Purchases Using Atari Token|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/373023/Atari__Teams_Up_with_Karma_the_Game_of_Destiny___to_Support_InGame_Purchases_Using_Atari_Token.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301134847/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/373023/Atari__Teams_Up_with_Karma_the_Game_of_Destiny___to_Support_InGame_Purchases_Using_Atari_Token.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |access-date=2021-04-04|publisher=www.gamasutra.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=ATARI|date=2020-10-16|title=Atari Token: Public Sale of the Atari Token to begin October 29, 2020 on Bitcoin.com Exchange|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/16/2109670/0/en/Atari-Token-Public-Sale-of-the-Atari-Token-to-begin-October-29-2020-on-Bitcoin-com-Exchange.html|access-date=2021-04-04|website=GlobeNewswire News Room|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-23|title=Atari, ICICB Group Expand Hotel Partnership|url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/video-games/atari-icicb-group-expand-hotel-partnership|access-date=2021-04-05|website=licenseglobal.com|language=en}}</ref> and the first hotels will be constructed at selected locations outside the United States, with [[Dubai]], [[Gibraltar]] and [[Spain]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-10|title=ATARI: Atari® Partners with ICICB Group and Grants Licensing Rights to Build Atari Hotels in Dubai, Gibraltar, and Spain|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-03-10/atari-atari-partners-with-icicb-group-and-grants-licensing-rights-to-build-atari-hotels-in-dubai-gibraltar-and-spain|access-date=2021-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Atari Signs Licencing Agreement With ICICB For Atari-Branded Hotels Outside US|url=https://inkedin.com/atari-signs-licencing-agreement-with-icicb-for-atari-branded-hotels-outside-us/59478/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=inkedin.com|date=March 12, 2021|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Videogame pioneers, formally announce plans for an Atari-themed hotel to be built in Gibraltar|url=https://www.gbc.gi/news/videogame-pioneers-formally-announce-plans-atari-themed-hotel-be-built-gibraltar|access-date=2021-04-05|website=www.gbc.gi|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Atari Expands Hotel Licencing Deal with ICICB to More Countries; Shares Jump 16% |date=March 22, 2021 |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ATARI-S-A-2168735/news/Atari-Expands-Hotel-Licencing-Deal-with-ICICB-to-More-Countries-Shares-Jump-16-32751795/|access-date=2021-04-05 |publisher=MarketScreener |language=en}}</ref>
Atari also released a series of games based on the smash-hit [[The Matrix]] movie trilogy including [[Enter the Matrix]] and [[The Matrix: Path of Neo]]. These titles represent some of the most expensive video games ever developed. [[Enter the Matrix]], which was developed by [[Shiny Entertainment]], sold 1.38 million units for the Sony [[PlayStation 2]] and 1 million units for the [[Nintendo GameCube]], making it one of the [[List of best selling computer and video games|best selling computer and video games]].
 
==== Rosen era (2021–present) ====
Other currently popular titles for Atari include ''[[RollerCoaster Tycoon]]'', ''Godzilla'' games, the [[Alone in the Dark (series)|''Alone in the Dark'' series]] and the ''[[Driver (video game)|Driver]]'' series (recently sold to Ubisoft for a reported $24 million<ref>''[http://tgnforums.stardock.com/?ForumID=141&AID=123378 Atari: "In The Money", Driver Gone]'' - [[TotalGaming.net]] news, [[13 July]], [[2006]]</ref>).
In late 2021, Wade Rosen became the new CEO of Atari.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Regan |first=Tom |date=2022-08-23 |title=How Atari's new CEO is pressing continue for the software company |url=https://www.nme.com/features/how-ataris-new-ceo-is-pressing-continue-for-the-californian-software-company-3293975 |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> Unlike his predecessor, Rosen's strategy for Atari is a re-focus on retro gaming and Atari's classic franchises.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editor |first=Brendan Sinclair Managing |date=2023-11-29 |title=Atari's re-focus on retro |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ataris-re-focus-on-retro |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Extension |first=Time |date=2024-02-29 |title=Interview: "Underpromising & Overdelivering" - Atari CEO Wade Rosen Talks Winning Back Trust |url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/interview-underpromising-and-overdelivering-atari-ceo-wade-rosen-talks-winning-back-trust |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=Time Extension |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
On 18 April 2022, Atari announced the termination of all license agreements with ICICB Group and its subsidiaries ("ICICB"). The license agreements between Atari and ICICB, including the Atari Chain Limited license (the "Joint Venture") and the related licenses including hotel and casino licenses, have been terminated effective 18 April 2022. ICICB is not authorized to represent Atari or its brands in any manner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2022 |title=Atari Announces Planned Creation of New Token and Termination of Joint Venture |url=https://atari.com/blogs/newsroom/atari-announces-planned-creation-of-new-token-and-termination-of-joint-venture |website=atari.com}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=May 2022}}
==Major products==
===Historical===
*''[[PONG]]'' (several versions)
*[[Atari 2600]]
*[[Atari 5200]]
*[[Atari 7800]]
*[[Atari 8-bit family|Atari XEGS]]
*[[Atari Lynx]]
*[[Atari Jaguar]]
*[[Atari 8-bit family]]
*[[Atari ST]], [[Atari STE]]
*[[Atari MEGA ST]], [[Atari MEGA STE]] professional line
*[[Atari TT]]
*[[Atari Falcon]]
*[[Atari Transputer Workstation]]
*[[Atari Portfolio]] palmtop computer
 
In March 2024, Atari announced that it will work with coin-op manufacturer Alan-1 to bring ''[[Atari Recharged]]'' titles on [[Arcade game|arcades]]. This would mark the return of the Atari brand in the arcade space after 25 years, when ''[[San Francisco Rush 2049]]'' was released.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Extension |first=Time |date=2024-03-12 |title=After 25 Years Away, Atari Is Returning To Arcades With Its "Recharged" Series |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/03/after-25-years-away-atari-is-returning-to-arcades-with-its-recharged-series |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=Time Extension |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Current===
*''[[Act of War: Direct Action]]''
*''[[Act of War: High Treason]]''
*''[[Alone in the Dark (series)|Alone in the Dark]]''
*''[[Boiling Point: Road to Hell]]''
*''[[Backyard Sports]]''
*''[[Dark Earth]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Sagas]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Super Sonic Warriors]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Super Sonic Warriors 2]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball GT: Transformation]]''
*''[[Driver (video game)|Driver]]'' (1999)
*''[[Driver 2]]'' (2000)
*''[[DRIV3R]]'' (2004)
*''[[Driver: Parallel Lines]]'' (2006)
*''[[Enter the Matrix]]''
*''[[Ikaruga]]''
*''[[Chris Sawyer's Locomotion]]''
*''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'' ([[Neverwinter Nights 2]] in development)
*''[[RollerCoaster Tycoon 3]]''
*''[[Test Drive (video game)|Test Drive]]'' (1987)
*''[[The Matrix: Path of Neo]]''
*''[[Unreal Tournament]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]''
*''[[Transformers (Atari video game)|Transformers]]''
*''[[Atari Flashback]]''
*''[[Atari Flashback 2]]''
*''[[Mission Impossible: Operation Surma]]''
*''[[Terminator 3: The Redemption]]''
*''[[Tycoon City: New York]]''
*''[[Dungeons & Dragons Online]]''
*''[[The Temple of Elemental Evil (computer game)]]''
*''[[Indigo Prophecy]]''
*''[[Retro Atari Classics]]''
*''[[Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure]]''
 
==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
*[[Atari Games]]
* [[Golden age of arcade video games]]
* [[History of video games]]
 
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />
 
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{commons|Atari}}
* [httphttps://www.atari.com/ Atari official site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19991111030208/http://gtinteractive.com Former Atari brand's official global site]
*[http://www.ataricommunity.com Official Atari Forums]
* [http://www.atarimuseum.com The Atari History Museum] – Atari historical archive site
* [http://www.ataritimesatarimania.com/ The biggest Atari TimesArchive], Supporting all Atari consoles.software archive site
* [http://www.ataritimes.com Atari Times] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509055112/http://www.ataritimes.com/ |date=May 9, 2008 }}, supporting all Atari consoles
*[http://www.atariage.com/ AtariAge.com]
* [http://www.ataritimes.com/article.php?showarticle=70 Atari On Film] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411105712/http://www.ataritimes.com/article.php?showarticle=70 |date=April 11, 2008 }} – List of Atari products in films
*[http://www.atarihq.com/ Atari Gaming Heaquarters]
* [http://www.thedoteaters.com The Dot Eaters: classic video game history] – Comprehensive history of video games, extensive info on Atari offerings and history
*[http://www.rct3x.net/ Rollercoaster Tycoon 3]
*[http://www.mobygames.com/company/atari-inc Atari] entry at [[MobyGames]]
 
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