Official Atari Death Watch Thread

[Retro Rogue]

I hope I am not the only one on these boards who looks at Atari Inc. as the successer of the original Atari Inc. Because it seems to me that most people here think Atari died when Nolan Bushnell left.

 

To be a successor, you'd need to be in direct line with something. Atari Interactive is the actual successor of the Atari name and brand (and you'll notice their name is on all the products being brought up here). Atari Inc. is simply the former GT Interactive that licenses the name and any properties.

[Retro Rogue]

And if Infogrames' plans weren't made any clearer now, Gardner it talking about naming Infogrames (IESA) itself to Atari and dropping the Infogrames name completely:

 

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/866/866220...mp;RSSid=866220

Edited April 14, 2008 by wgungfu

[Clint Thompson]

Fun stuff....

**********************

 

Infogrames Entertainment S.A. and Atari, Inc. Announce Agreement to Merge

 

Infogrames to Acquire Outstanding Shares of Atari, Inc. for Cash

 

LYON, France and NEW YORK, April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ —Infogrames Entertainment S.A. (Euronext - ISIN: FR-0010478248) ("Infogrames" or "the Group") and Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) ("Atari") today announced that they have reached a definitive agreement to merge.

 

The agreement:

— brings to a close a period of financial underperformance for Atari;

— strengthens Atari under Infogrames' new management team;

— delivers a platform for future growth in the US; and

— offers Atari shareholders an all cash exit.

 

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Infogrames will acquire the remaining outstanding equity interests of Atari (other than shares of common stock held by Infogrames or its affiliates, which would be cancelled) for US$1.68 per share, equivalent to a cash payment of approximately US$11 million. Infogrames is currently the majority shareholder in Atari holding approximately 51.4%. Following the merger, Atari will be a wholly- owned subsidiary of Infogrames. The merger will be funded by Infogrames from existing cash resources. The transaction is not subject to any financing conditions and is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of 2008.

 

This agreement is an essential and positive development for Infogrames and its shareholders. It brings Atari fully under the control of Infogrames, delivering a platform for future growth in the US. This step closely follows a series of recent major restructuring actions implemented in an effort to reposition Atari, streamline its corporate structure and reduce its annualized costs, including costs related to being a US public company.

 

The Board of Infogrames believes that full ownership of a restructured Atari is an important step for the Group, leading to a simplified operating structure that will deliver greater efficiency, provide the Group with greater opportunities to expand its US distribution capabilities and strengthen its platform for its global online initiatives.

 

Commenting on today's announcement, David Gardner, CEO, Infogrames, said:

 

"Bringing Atari US and Infogrames businesses together will enable us to create a simplified global structure for our business as we seek to re-build a well-managed, cohesive and financially disciplined company. This is a key strategic event for Infogrames that will benefit all of our shareholders. I believe that this transaction will generate significant benefits for the Group."

 

The management of Atari, Inc., led by recently appointed President and CEO, Jim Wilson, will join the Group upon the closing of the transaction and remain focused on growing the key North American gaming market.

 

Mr. Wilson said: "By joining Infogrames, we will have the opportunity to further transform Atari. As part of this newly integrated company, we will be better able to streamline operations and have a stronger platform for growth in North America."

 

The transaction was negotiated and approved by the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Atari, consisting entirely of directors who are independent of Infogrames. In approving and recommending the merger transaction, the Special Committee considered, among other things, the terms of the merger agreement, which permits the Special Committee to terminate the agreement under certain circumstances, Atari's financial position and results of operations, general market and industry conditions, the risks of implementing Atari's business plan, Atari's limited liquidity and the limited range of options available to Atari. The Special Committee also considered the effects of Infogrames' controlling interest, the risk that the transaction will not be completed, the premium to Atari's share price 30 days prior to the date of Infogrames' offer, and the willingness of Infogrames to extend a loan of up to $20 million to Atari to cover expected capital requirements.

 

The transaction is subject to a number of customary conditions, including the approval of the holders of a majority of outstanding shares. Atari expects to call a special meeting of shareholders to consider the merger in the third quarter of calendar 2008. Since Infogrames controls a majority of Atari's outstanding shares, Infogrames has the power to approve the transaction without the approval of Atari's other shareholders.

 

In connection with the transaction, Infogrames has committed to lend Atari US$20 million, subject to the terms and conditions of the credit agreement between Atari and Infogrames. This loan will be used to fund Atari's operational cash requirements during the period between the date of the merger agreement and its closing.

[Retro Rogue]

 

 

Ahhh, another plan comes to fruition.

 

 

 

And look, the new "CEO" is being folded in to Infogrames just as I said as well. I guess the song and dance of the "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" thing has finally come to an end.

[carmel_andrews]

So, what's the new company going to be called...Or are they going to lay the Atari name (and related properties) to rest once and for all

[Retro Rogue]

So, what's the new company going to be called...

 

 

Probably just Atari NA to go with the other Atari divisions under Infogrames.

 

Or are they going to lay the Atari name (and related properties) to rest once and for all

 

Nope, look up a couple of posts, they've been talking about naming themselves in to an Atari name. They wanted full control over the Atari brand name's usage, and now that they essentially bought the lease back they have that.

[carmel_andrews]

As it was said in a film starring Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis and Meryll Streep....'I want to live forever'...or in Atari's case 'Atari want's to live forever'

[+Allan]

All that just to change their name to Atari? Why?

 

Allan

[Retro Rogue]

All that just to change their name to Atari? Why?

 

Allan

 

 

If you read back over this thread, there were a number of reasons. First and foremost is that Atari Inc. was a black hole of money. If you take a look at the stock history, its gone down and down and down ever since they became majority shareholder (back when it was still GT Interactive). When they bought the Atari name and properties and had GT rename itself to Atari Inc., they also had it take over most of the exercising of the Atari brand. That includes development and publishing of all the major titles. Infogrames had shut down those operations in its own organization. What this meant was that the entire web of companies became completely reliant on Atari Inc.'s business and direction. Hence as they began to suffer financially, so did Infogrames.

 

There's also the legality of it - when they had GT change their name to Atari Inc., they made them lease the Atari name and properties. That lease wasn't up yet. They did have Atari Inc. sell back the Atari.com website (in effect unleasing it), and really this was the next logical step to kill two birds with one stone.

[Fort Apocalypse]

All that just to change their name to Atari? Why?

 

Allan

 

 

If you read back over this thread, there were a number of reasons. First and foremost is that Atari Inc. was a black hole of money. If you take a look at the stock history, its gone down and down and down ever since they became majority shareholder (back when it was still GT Interactive). When they bought the Atari name and properties and had GT rename itself to Atari Inc., they also had it take over most of the exercising of the Atari brand. That includes development and publishing of all the major titles. Infogrames had shut down those operations in its own organization. What this meant was that the entire web of companies became completely reliant on Atari Inc.'s business and direction. Hence as they began to suffer financially, so did Infogrames.

 

There's also the legality of it - when they had GT change their name to Atari Inc., they made them lease the Atari name and properties. That lease wasn't up yet. They did have Atari Inc. sell back the Atari.com website (in effect unleasing it), and really this was the next logical step to kill two birds with one stone.

 

Just curious...

 

Do you think that any part of Atari's downfall in the last few years has been due to younger game players thinking of the Atari brand as old and outdated? Or is the Atari brand a plus when it comes to younger game players? Since I'm not young (well, relatively not) I can't speak to that. And would it have any impact on Atari's ability to hire good game developers (because of a possible perception of Atari as being old and outdated)?

Edited May 3, 2008 by Fort Apocalypse

[+Lynxer2007]

So, what's the new company going to be called...Or are they going to lay the Atari name (and related properties) to rest once and for all

 

I think they should keep it as Atari, Inc. Renaming it to Atari America or Atari US sounds stupid, at least to me. Usually you wouldn't put the name of the country in the company name it was founded in. I'll be pissed if they change the name.

[Fort Apocalypse]

So, what's the new company going to be called...Or are they going to lay the Atari name (and related properties) to rest once and for all

 

I think they should keep it as Atari, Inc. Renaming it to Atari America or Atari US sounds stupid, at least to me. Usually you wouldn't put the name of the country in the company name it was founded in. I'll be pissed if they change the name.

 

I agree. Putting a country in the name is just screaming "my company will never get big enough to expand internationally".

[Retro Rogue]

 

I think they should keep it as Atari, Inc. Renaming it to Atari America or Atari US sounds stupid, at least to me. Usually you wouldn't put the name of the country in the company name it was founded in. I'll be pissed if they change the name.

 

I agree. Putting a country in the name is just screaming "my company will never get big enough to expand internationally".

 

 

Actually, before they were forced to rename themselves Atari Inc., they were Infogrames NA. So a return to that style of naming isn't to far fetched.

[Retro Rogue]

Do you think that any part of Atari's downfall in the last few years has been due to younger game players thinking of the Atari brand as old and outdated?

 

No, IMHO most younger gamers weren't aware of any strong "older" context with the Atari name. They're aware it was an "old gaming company", but there was no direct context of the type you're implying. To them, "old school" is Nintendo (usually the NES or SNES depending on age). And even then it had little to do with Atari Inc.'s downfall. The issue with younger gamers with regards to Atari Inc. was the release of crappy, bug ridden modern games which is what Atari Inc. became known for. That and management throwing mass amounts of money at hopeful "blockbusters" that failed due to poor execution (bad timing, ran long overdue schedule wise, and once again were bug ridden).

 

A lot of the former management were ex-Sony entertainment (Music) people who tried to treat it like the music industry, and act like they had the status of EA or Activision when they actually had very little of that sort of infrastructure. Like thinking big and acting big suddenly meant they actually were big - but the proof was ultimately in the pudding.

 

Or is the Atari brand a plus when it comes to younger game players? Since I'm not young (well, relatively not) I can't speak to that. And would it have any impact on Atari's ability to hire good game developers (because of a possible perception of Atari as being old and outdated)?

 

 

Atari won't be hiring anything, Infogrames is at the helm of all development and publishing operations now (they even started up their own Infogrames publishing division again). In the interim, they've been using Atari Europe for most of the development they used Atari Inc. for in the past. I.E. Alone in The Dark and some of the other recent announcements.

Edited May 3, 2008 by wgungfu

[+Lynxer2007]

 

I think they should keep it as Atari, Inc. Renaming it to Atari America or Atari US sounds stupid, at least to me. Usually you wouldn't put the name of the country in the company name it was founded in. I'll be pissed if they change the name.

 

I agree. Putting a country in the name is just screaming "my company will never get big enough to expand internationally".

 

 

Actually, before they were forced to rename themselves Atari Inc., they were Infogrames NA. So a return to that style of naming isn't to far fetched.

 

I thought the US arm used to be called Infogrames, Inc. I still have some of their games from 2002 and 2003 and back of the box it says Infogrames, Inc. along with their NY address and so on. If they're going to rename Atari, Inc., they should just drop the name completely. I'm gonna hate seeing an "Atari America, Inc." label on their games.

[Retro Rogue]

Actually, before they were forced to rename themselves Atari Inc., they were Infogrames NA. So a return to that style of naming isn't to far fetched.

 

I thought the US arm used to be called Infogrames, Inc. I still have some of their games from 2002 and 2003 and back of the box it says Infogrames, Inc. along with their NY address and so on.

 

No, the full title was "Infogrames North America, Inc." (INA), GT and Infogrames North America, Inc. merged in 2000 and then renamed itself to Atari Inc. in 2003:

 

http://www.secinfo.com/dsvr4.28Z7.htm

 

 

If they're going to rename Atari, Inc., they should just drop the name completely. I'm gonna hate seeing an "Atari America, Inc." label on their games.

 

It'd be "Atari North America", probably not "Atari America" (they do handle it for the rest of the continent as well ). It would fall in line with the rest of the privately held subsidiaries - Atari Europe, Atari Australia, Atari Japan, etc. And when Infogrames SA renames itself to an Atari name, they'll probably go with a name like Atari Corp. now because they can't call themselves Inc.

Edited May 4, 2008 by wgungfu

[+Lynxer2007]

I see. Well, thanks for clearing all that up for me. I wonder if, with all the new management and name change, they'll redo the logo. I like the current one, but they should really change it. The current one seems kind of tarnished IMO.

Edited May 5, 2008 by EMZayas

[Clint Thompson]

I like the current sideways Atari thing going on...

[Math You]

I wonder if, with all the new management and name change, they'll redo the logo. I like the current one, but they should really change it. The current one seems kind of tarnished IMO.

How about this one.

[+Lynxer2007]

Not really what I was thinking of

 

I was actually thinking of them changing it back to the original. Much better than today's

 

 

This will do fine, as well. I just don't want the logo integrated with the name

 

Edited May 6, 2008 by EMZayas

[Fort Apocalypse]

Some Alba font ones might be neat

Edited May 7, 2008 by Fort Apocalypse

[Retro Rogue]

Some Alba font ones might be neat

 

 

Ummm......is it just me, or is there something really phallic about this version?

[Fort Apocalypse]

Some Alba font ones might be neat

 

 

Ummm......is it just me, or is there something really phallic about this version?

 

Dang, Marty. You caught me. If I try to slip a phallic symbol into an Atari death watch thread, does that make me a Atarinecrophiliac? Is there a 12-step for that?

Edited May 10, 2008 by Fort Apocalypse

[jaybird3rd]

MyAtari magazine published an interesting analysis of the Atari logo and its various incarnations a few years ago. The author's conclusion is that the original is the best, and I agree.

 

However, I also like the stylized Atari Games logo from ~2000 (see my avatar).

Edited May 8, 2008 by jaybird3rd

[Rev]

atari is a shell of its former self.it is irrelevent today