Atari is shifting its focus back to “premium game” development after previously setting out to create free-to-play experiences.
Announced via a recent press release, the long-standing publisher has pitched the decision as an effort to re-establish the company’s brand in the video game industry. Here’s what Atari’s CEO, Wade J. Rosen, had to say:
”Our intent with any gaming experience is to provide accessible and joyful moments of meaningful play. That’s the core of Atari and what binds our history with our future. To that end, we feel that premium gaming is better representative of this type of gaming experience and the Atari DNA.”
The company has also revealed that it’ll “leverage its catalog of 200 proprietary games” to create various games across all platforms. If everyone goes according to plan, the publisher also says we should see new titles hit the market by the end of 2021. While a large chunk of Atari’s library consists of classic arcade games, the publisher also holds the key to various Infogrames properties. Could this mean we’ll finally get a new Hogs of War game? No? Oh well, a nerd can dream.
Atari’s free-to-play future plans
Atari has said that its most popular free-to-play games will continue to exist. However, it also plans to eliminate several titles like RCT Stories, Crystal Castles, Castles & Catapults, Ninja Golf, and Atari Combat: Tank Fury. As for the historic company’s own system, the new Atari VCS? Well, it sounds like Atari is hoping its new range of premium games will give it a second wind. While it seems like Atari’s new range of games will be released across all platforms, perhaps reputation alone can stop the VCS from fading into obscurity. Let’s hope Atari has some interesting premium game projects in the pipeline!
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Featured Image Credit: Atari