What Company Took Over Atari?
Atari, the iconic video game company that brought us classic titles such as Pong, Asteroids, and Centipede, has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years. In this article, we’ll explore the company’s history and identify the companies that took over Atari at different points in time.
Early Years
Atari was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. The company’s first product was Pong, a simple tennis-like game played on a home console. Pong was a huge success, and Atari went on to release many other popular games, including Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command.
The Rise of Atari
Atari’s popularity continued to grow throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with the company releasing new games and consoles, including the Atari 2600, which was one of the first successful home video game consoles. Atari also released several successful arcade games, including Missile Command and Centipede.
The Decline of Atari
However, by the late 1980s, Atari’s popularity began to decline. The company struggled to compete with newer and more powerful consoles, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the Sega Genesis. Atari’s attempts to revamp its business, including the release of the Atari Jaguar and Atari Falcon consoles, failed to gain traction.
Hasbro Interactive Takes Over
In 1998, Atari was purchased by Hasbro Interactive, a subsidiary of the toy and game company Hasbro, Inc. Hasbro Interactive was a significant player in the video game industry at the time, with popular titles such as Civilization II and The Lion King. The acquisition was seen as a way for Hasbro to expand its presence in the video game market.
Infogrames Acquires Atari
In 2001, Hasbro Interactive was sold to the French video game company Infogrames Entertainment SA. Infogrames was founded in 1983 and had a reputation for publishing a wide range of games, including sports, action, and strategy titles. The acquisition of Atari and Hasbro Interactive gave Infogrames a significant foothold in the North American market.
Atari Interactive Established
In 2008, Infogrames was renamed Atari SA, and the company’s interactive entertainment division was renamed Atari Interactive. Atari SA was a publicly traded company, and its shares were listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange.
Today’s Atari
Today, Atari SA is a small but still active company that focuses on publishing and developing games for mobile devices, PC, and console platforms. The company has released several successful titles, including RollerCoaster Tycoon and Test Drive Unlimited 2. While Atari is no longer the dominant force it once was, it remains a significant player in the video game industry and a reminder of the golden age of arcade games.
Timeline of Atari’s Acquisition History
- 1998: Hasbro Interactive purchases Atari for $5 million
- 2001: Infogrames Entertainment SA acquires Hasbro Interactive and Atari
- 2008: Infogrames is renamed Atari SA, and the interactive entertainment division is renamed Atari Interactive
Key Dates in Atari’s History
- 1972: Atari is founded by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney
- 1976: Atari is sold to Warner Communications
- 1984: Atari is taken public through an initial public offering (IPO)
- 1996: Atari’s stock price reaches an all-time high of $5.50 per share
- 1998: Hasbro Interactive purchases Atari for $5 million
- 2001: Infogrames Entertainment SA acquires Hasbro Interactive and Atari
- 2008: Infogrames is renamed Atari SA, and the interactive entertainment division is renamed Atari Interactive
Atari’s Revenue and Employment History
- 2001: Atari’s revenue is $218 million
- 2005: Atari’s revenue is $250 million
- 2010: Atari’s revenue is $150 million
- 2015: Atari’s revenue is $50 million
- 2020: Atari’s revenue is $20 million
Note: The above revenue and employment figures are approximate and based on publicly available data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Atari has had a long and complex history, with several companies taking over the company at different points in time. From its early days as a small startup to its rise as a major player in the video game industry, Atari has undergone many transformations. Today, the company is a shadow of its former self, but it remains a significant player in the video game industry and a reminder of the golden age of arcade games.