Longtime game publisher Atari has reported decreased revenues for its most recent fiscal year, and has sold off a number of its remaining assets to refocus its efforts on mobile games.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, Atari's revenues reached $51.3 million (39.6 million euros), down from $77.8 million (60.1 million euros) in 2011.
The company decreased its losses to $4.8 million (3.7 million euros) from $8 million (6.2 million euros), partially because it chose to divest some of its less-profitable assets. As part of this plan, Atari is looking for a buyer for Eden Games, the French studio responsible for the 2011 racing game Test Drive Unlimited 2.
Atari laid off most of Eden's staff last year, and has since chosen to discontinue operations and sell off the studio's remaining assets.
The company also chose to sell to its remaining stake in GameOne, a French television channel focusing on video games, anime, and more. As a result of this sale, Atari pulled in an additional $7.6 million (5.9 million euros).
Atari also noted that revenues were down because it is still building its mobile games business. The publisher said it saw some "encouraging" performance from mobile games like Breakout: Boost, Atari's Greatest Hits, and Asteroid Gunner, which have collectively seen more than 10 million downloads so far.
Going forward, the company plans to further emphasize its mobile and free to play games as well as maintain its existing suite of digital and online games.
Update: The original version of this story incorrectly reported that Eden Games has been shut down. Atari informs us that there is still a team actively maintaining Test Drive Unlimited 2 at the studio.
As long as clueless 'leaders' like Jim Wilson are helming this company, it's doomed.
Even more so than before.
Just like THQ, be glad you don't own any stock here.
In many ways this company's continued deterioration is far more unnecessary than THQ - at least Atari could have leveraged their inherent retro clout with the gaming public - especially older gamers looking for nostalgia, via agressive merchandising.
But I suppose that's not as sexy as making crap games that no one buys.
It's pathetic, but the good news is that in a short time the name itself (which is the only thing in the company worth something) will be available.
Infogrames has yet to truly understand the Atari brand, what makes it special, and why its fans are so devoted. I know, it's much easier said than done, but this revived company doesn't FEEL like Atari. It doesn't have the groove, the sense of fun, or the crazed ideas of the old Atari Corp or Atari Games.
POKEY. The ST. The Lynx. Star Raiders. Warlords. Tempest 2000. Gauntlet. Roadblasters. Super Sprint. Klax. Blue Lightning. Todd's Adventures in Slime World. Ninja Golf! What true gamer wouldn't smile at that?
In a perfect world, somebody with money to burn would buy back the rights to the Atari Games catalog and reunify Atari once again (heck, buy the entire Midway catalog). Then they would bring back as many of the old-school programmers and designers as possible, and have them teach the new generation how to create classic video games. Then bring back the classic Atari packaging - bring back those amazing cover illustrations. Rebrand the new Atari for the New Arcade generation.
What else is Infogrames going to do? Try to keep up with the AAA developers? It's not working, and they're only going to fall further and further behind. Let EA and Activision and Rockstar do their thing. Atari doesn't belong to that era, anyway. It's alright. Embrace what made the Atari name great.
Frankly I'm shocked they're still around. Atari is like the Zipper of development.
How long can a company last under various forms of dysfunctionality.
Even more so than before.
Just like THQ, be glad you don't own any stock here.
In many ways this company's continued deterioration is far more unnecessary than THQ - at least Atari could have leveraged their inherent retro clout with the gaming public - especially older gamers looking for nostalgia, via agressive merchandising.
But I suppose that's not as sexy as making crap games that no one buys.
It's pathetic, but the good news is that in a short time the name itself (which is the only thing in the company worth something) will be available.
POKEY. The ST. The Lynx. Star Raiders. Warlords. Tempest 2000. Gauntlet. Roadblasters. Super Sprint. Klax. Blue Lightning. Todd's Adventures in Slime World. Ninja Golf! What true gamer wouldn't smile at that?
In a perfect world, somebody with money to burn would buy back the rights to the Atari Games catalog and reunify Atari once again (heck, buy the entire Midway catalog). Then they would bring back as many of the old-school programmers and designers as possible, and have them teach the new generation how to create classic video games. Then bring back the classic Atari packaging - bring back those amazing cover illustrations. Rebrand the new Atari for the New Arcade generation.
What else is Infogrames going to do? Try to keep up with the AAA developers? It's not working, and they're only going to fall further and further behind. Let EA and Activision and Rockstar do their thing. Atari doesn't belong to that era, anyway. It's alright. Embrace what made the Atari name great.