Have you ever performed Atari at present?

Atari is an organization that has virtually at all times been mired in issues. Earlier than the Atari VCS (2600) console even launched, founder Nolan Bushnell offered the enterprise to Warner Communications, which fired him shortly thereafter. It’s traded arms all through the years, ultimately touchdown with Infogrames in 2000, who regularly rebranded to the Atari title earlier than practically changing into bankrupt in 2013. They restructured, offered off quite a few belongings, and managed to come back out of chapter.

Say what you’ll in regards to the Atari Lynx and Jaguar platforms, however nothing is as unhealthy as post-bankruptcy safety Atari. They oversaw such tragic releases as Haunted Home: Cryptic Graves and Asteroids: Outpost. Atari’s enterprise mannequin additionally shifted closely towards micro-monetized cellular video games.
In 2021, when nobody was wanting, Wade Rosen took the helm of Atari as CEO. Whereas there’s a lot nonetheless to be seen as as to if he can acquire again the goodwill of online game hobbyists, that is, maybe, the primary time in a very long time that one could be optimistic in regards to the route of the corporate. Rosen was gracious sufficient to quench my curiosity by answering a couple of questions for Destructoid, and he’s joined by Larry Kuperman of Nightdive Studios, a current acquisition by Atari.

The brand new face of Atari

“After I took on the position of CEO, certainly one of my major aims was to determine a transparent technique for the enterprise; one which would offer a stable base for our long-term success and one that might be true to our legacy,” Rosen defined. “A part of the transition we undertook concerned exiting companies that we didn’t suppose had been core or made sense going ahead. One of many areas we determined to exit was the on line casino enterprise, and we’ve efficiently unwound all of our casino-related partnerships.”

“Our enterprise now has 4 focus areas: software program, {hardware}, licensing, and web3. Atari is and can stay, a online game firm, so our efforts throughout these 4 enterprise areas are all to help that core gaming identification. We made a aware choice to start out making premium video games once more, and we’ve made continuous progress in direction of that objective. We now have revealed 12 new titles within the final 18 months, we’ve introduced one other 4, and we’ve many extra beneath growth.”
Web3 is one thing of a nebulous idea of a future route for the web primarily based round blockchain. It’s, um, not notably well-loved by the online game neighborhood, to say the least. That is one thing that Rosen acknowledges.

“We are able to’t predict precisely how our web3 enterprise will evolve,” Rosen defined, “however we’ve constructed a really good crew that has prioritized growth within the areas of gaming, utility, and, most of all, neighborhood. We now have sturdy partnerships in place with platforms corresponding to The Sandbox, the place we launched a large, immersive model expertise. Most lately, the crew launched a beta model of the Atari Membership, which is designed as a neighborhood centered round all issues Atari. The objective is to make the neighborhood accessible and inclusive to all of our followers. So after its preliminary rollout with our web3 viewers, will probably be expanded so that each one of our followers can contribute, gather, and collaborate round our model initiatives.”
“We all know web3 stays controversial, particularly inside the gaming business, however we expect the underlying expertise has long-term potential for firms that concentrate on the long-term advantages it could present and do their greatest to sidestep short-term hype.”

Merchandising! Merchandising!

The announcement of Atari-themed motels in 2020 raised some eyebrows. Since then, information has been quiet about that mission. However whereas Atari could have backed out of the on line casino enterprise, they’re nonetheless shifting ahead with motels.

“Our licensing enterprise stays fairly sturdy, and our objective is to enter solely high-quality partnerships that may contribute to our model consciousness and fulfill our followers in a significant manner. The Atari Lodge partnership you talked about is a kind of licensing offers, and we consider it has sturdy potential. By its nature, it has a really, very lengthy timetable, and will probably be a few years earlier than we see its affect.”
“We even have partnerships with LEGO, Cariuma, New Wave Toys, and several other different high-quality manufacturers, and we’re exploring alternatives in media, together with tv and movie. Like many giant, profitable pop-culture manufacturers, we count on licensing to stay an integral a part of our combine going ahead.”

Licensing looks as if one thing the Atari model has by no means been removed from. I believe I owned an Atari t-shirt earlier than ever even touching a 2600. Nevertheless, their most up-to-date strikes appear extra like they’re aimed toward online game hobbyists slightly than simply model nostalgia. The New Wave Toys partnership, for instance, includes the creation of Replicade cupboards. These are playable miniaturized variations of basic arcade cupboards, and Missile Command has lately obtained the remedy.

Again to the previous

What fascinates me most about Atari’s current actions, nonetheless, is their concentrate on recreation preservation. Final yr, they bought the sport database, MobyGames. In the meantime, their Atari 50 compilation has been acclaimed as the most effective basic recreation collections ever launched.
“Preservation, and extra particularly, innovation in retro gaming, is a precedence for Atari,” Rosen mentioned. “It is a matter I’m personally very captivated with. Online game historical past is part of our DNA, and leveraging retro IP in fascinating and futuristic methods is core to our enterprise. There may be a lot wonderful basic content material, and giving followers a solution to entry not solely the unique content material, however new content material that iterates and expands upon the unique, is what you’ll be able to count on from us within the coming years.”

Nevertheless, Atari isn’t distinctive on this strategy. Sport storefront GOG started as an effort to make previous PC video games obtainable to trendy platforms. I’m wondering in regards to the profitability of this effort. MobyGames, particularly, has traded arms a couple of instances over time. Its earlier house owners, Simon Carless and Jeremiah Freyholtz had been fairly open with the neighborhood in regards to the difficulties of managing the database and needed to flip to Patreon to complement earnings for growth. So, I needed to surprise what drove the selection for Atari to concentrate on preservation.
Rosen advised me, “There’s a enormous neighborhood of retro recreation followers that appears to be rising every single day. I consider it completely is a viable enterprise and one which has vital development potential. The great thing about retro is that it’s continually being created and recreated. The PS3 is beginning to be thought-about retro, and every year that passes, extra trendy video games are being reclassified. In that sense, it’s at all times rising, and the best way individuals devour and entry the content material is ever-changing.”

The enterprise of again catalog

Furthermore, quite a few firms are extraordinarily leery about retaining their again catalogs obtainable. Digital Arts is likely one of the firms I level to for instance of one of many worst. They’ve video games like The Sims or Black and White which might be thought-about to be of historic significance, however regardless of having their very own digital storefront, EA refuses to make these video games obtainable.

Often, when bigger publishers select to launch older video games, they are going to typically accomplish that in a slightly token manner. Quite a few previous PC video games are simply bundled with DOSbox, and a few Home windows video games aren’t up to date to help trendy {hardware}.
“I can’t communicate to the selections that different firms make as I don’t have any perception into their thought course of. I can say that, for some time, re-releasing titles ‘as-is’ type of labored,” Rosen defined. “It was a manner for firms to make their again catalog extensively obtainable, and it scratched an itch for gamers. However studios like Nightdive have raised the bar, utilizing their proprietary KEX engine to rebuild and enhance the unique video games and add trendy options, considerably bettering the graphics, bettering and increasing enter management, and including deep platform help, together with social integration.”

“Participant expectations have modified, and what we’re seeing is that firms that do have essential recreation IP are turning to studios like Nightdive to carry them again to market in a manner that gamers worth. Based mostly on the devoted fanbase that Nightdive has constructed, that’s a major benefit over extra barebones releases.”
That’s really a slightly sober manner to have a look at the strategy. I might want each recreation to get the supply port remedy, however that’s not at all times possible. On the finish of the day, so long as it runs effectively with minimal effort for setup on my half, that’s ample. Bonus factors if it wasn’t initially launched in English.

Elevating the bar

Nightdive wasn’t alone with regards to elevating the bar for contemporary re-releases, although. It’s essential to notice that M2 and Digital Eclipse have been at it for the reason that ‘90s, being answerable for many strikes from arcade to console or handheld.

Wade Rosen goes on to say, “I believe gifted studios like M2 and Digital Eclipse are beginning to get the popularity they deserve for his or her unbelievable work. Digital Eclipse, who we labored with to create Atari 50: the Anniversary Celebration, was acknowledged and praised by each gamers and business professionals for his or her efforts.”
Nightdive is one thing particular, nonetheless. Most of all, they appear to be higher identified amongst players themselves, whereas M2 and Digital Eclipse are extra identified to these extra deeply intimate with the pastime.

Rosen defined, “Nightdive begins by working with retro titles which have an extremely sturdy fan base and following. They’re video games that resonate with gamers in a visceral manner. Nightdive has additionally developed a mode of remastering content material that’s distinctive and recognizable. For Nightdive, the objective is at all times to recapture the expertise that folks had when the sport was new and “state-of-the-art.” The problem is to create a recreation that’s pleasing to new followers, whereas recapturing the unique expertise for older followers, and to remaster a recreation in order that it ‘performs the best way you bear in mind it enjoying.’ That creates a novel expertise the place followers can have a look at a recreation and virtually instantly know ‘that got here from Nightdive.’”
Larry Kuperman, Director of Enterprise Growth at Nightdive added, “Nightdive has at all times drawn our expertise from the modding and help communities. Samuel Villarreal, also called ‘Kaiser’ within the Doom neighborhood, was a legend even earlier than he joined Nightdive as our Lead Engine Developer. The identical was true of quite a few our different builders. That’s one motive. And our founder at Nightdive, Stephen Kick, continues to keep up an energetic presence on social media, as I do to a lesser extent.”

“We expect you will need to have that direct reference to our followers.”

Curation by way of supply porting

Furthermore, I recognize Nightdive for introducing me to video games I had beforehand missed. I had by no means heard of Strife till they launched Strife: Veteran Version, and I could have by no means performed PowerSlave with out PowerSlave: Exhumed. Greater than only a developer, I recognize Nightdive for his or her curation.
I’m not alone, as Rosen put it extra eloquently, “I personally got here to Nightdive by way of their work on System Shock 2. As soon as I used to be executed exploring the Von Braun it was a brief leap to all of their different titles (Strife: Veteran Version was additionally my first time enjoying Strife). When you like certainly one of their video games, you’re most likely going to love the others. That type of discoverability is a part of the Nightdive magic: their releases have a broad, multigenerational enchantment.”

Larry Kuperman responded, “I can’t let you know how typically we hear related tales. ‘I didn’t even know a sure recreation had ever existed till you introduced it again.’ It truly is inspiring to listen to these issues.”
“Apparently sufficient, Strife: Veteran Version was actually essential within the historical past of Nightdive. It was the primary recreation that we had been in a position to considerably enhance, versus our prior ‘simply make it work on trendy programs’ strategy. Keep in mind that this was very early in Nightdive’s development. With a purpose to enhance on the unique, we introduced on James Haley, one other member of the Doom neighborhood.”

I really feel a little bit of kinship right here. I typically say I received into writing about video video games as a manner of sharing my ardour for the pastime. Although I haven’t made any of the video games I discuss, I really like sharing them as if they’re part of me. Kuperman’s rationalization of it type of makes it sound like what Nightdive tries to do. They’re sharing the video games they’re captivated with by repackaging them.

The retro growth

One other route that Atari has been heading has been again into the realm of bodily {hardware}. In 2021, they launched the Atari VCS, which was an try at a contemporary console. The VCS began growth in 2018 earlier than Wade Rosen was CEO of the corporate. We didn’t actually discuss this, however in keeping with Axios, the platform has struggled to seek out its place. Nevertheless, they’ve additionally lately began reproducing precise Atari 2600 cartridges as a part of their Atari XP line-up.
I requested if there have been plans to additional develop such cartridges, particularly asking if there was any likelihood of latest video games being launched within the format. Rosen advised me, “Our Atari XP cartridge enterprise began off small and experimental, and the reception has been fairly constructive. There’s a demand for the simplicity and skill-gating of retro {hardware} and software program. In consequence, we’re exploring methods to carry extra cartridges to market, and to make it simpler to play these cartridges. Keep tuned.”

This was earlier than they introduced that they’d be releasing Mr. Run and Leap on a 2600 cartridge. Nevertheless, the “simpler to play these cartridges” remark continues to be curious. Within the beforehand talked about Axios interview, he additionally teased that they is likely to be releasing new {hardware}. This sounds to me like we could also be seeing a brand new console able to enjoying 2600 video games, which excites me enormously.

Going ahead with retro

Atari has additionally been making strikes towards buying the again catalogs of different publishers. Largely, these have been titles which might be adjoining to Atari, together with ones that the corporate even beforehand owned.
I requested Rosen what video games had been even value preserving. He advised me, “All video games are value preserving. I believe the differentiation comes within the diploma of restoration. Will all video games have the identical degree of particulars, or get as sturdy a restoration? Will all video games be interpreted in new video games? No. There isn’t sufficient time, growth capability, or most likely curiosity to the touch each recreation from the previous 50 years and optimize them for contemporary {hardware}. However I believe there ought to be authorized methods to a minimum of entry all the video games from the previous. Immediately we’re seeing firms concentrate on video games and franchises that had been common, or someway novel, as a result of these have essentially the most business potential. However as time goes on I consider there shall be extra alternative to discover the deep cuts of the final 50 years, and I welcome that.”

I pushed a bit additional, asking what video games he’d prefer to see re-released. “I might reply this query all day, however I’ll restrict myself to a number of the video games in our catalog. Little doubt we’ll do one thing with Berzerk and Frenzy. These video games are simply too seminal to not discover. Bubsy and Mr. Nutz are each franchises which have some artistic depth and can be enjoyable to work with. When the best idea comes alongside, we gained’t hesitate to revisit Journey. And the Yars universe, it has so many branches. We expanded that gameplay with Yars: Recharged, and going ahead we’d prefer to advance that story and world. After which, after all, there’s Centipede, Asteroids, and Missile Command. That’s one of the best half about this job, there’s a lot right here to work with.”
“I believe it will be a disgrace for Bubsy to not have some form of assortment to rejoice his colourful historical past (each the highs and the very lows).”

Hope to dream

If I could make a want, it’s that Atari will get a maintain of the again catalog of Halfway and (the separate firm) Atari Video games. If I’m not mistaken, Warner Bros. at present have these rights, and out of doors of Mortal Kombat, have been doing nothing with them. Rampage, Ramparts, Smash TV; are all languishing in WB’s belongings. It’s disgusting.

I by no means actually anticipated that there’d be a day after I’d begin rooting for Atari. As I mentioned within the opening, the corporate has been troubled for nearly its complete existence, and a few fairly heinous issues have gone on beneath the title. Nevertheless, it doesn’t sound like Wade Rosen is making an attempt to disregard that. Fairly than faux that Atari has at all times been a monolithic and prestigious model, he’s as a substitute trying to regain the goodwill of players.
Furthermore, his objectives appear to align with what’s essential to me. I can perceive why Nightdive determined to get on board. There’s completely an opportunity that none of it will repay and Atari will once more commerce arms and go looking for cash elsewhere, however I’m hoping that doesn’t occur.

That’s to not say that Atari beneath Wade Rosen is completely good. There’s nonetheless lots to be confirmed and loads of grievances I nonetheless have. Nevertheless, something is best than Asteroids: Outpost.

Zoey Handley

Employees Author – Zoey is a gaming gadabout. She received her begin running a blog with the neighborhood in 2018 and hit the entrance web page quickly after. Usually discovered exploring indie experiments and retro libraries, she does her greatest to stay chronically uncool.

Extra Tales by Zoey Handley