Atari Launches New Online And Mobile Games Initiative Atari Games Online (Atari GO)

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Atari, an interactive entertainment company, announced today the continued evolution of its games business with the official rollout of Atari Games Online (Atari GO). The Atari GO initiative will support the development of new online casual and social games and help game developers navigate the increasing complexities of publishing online games.  The announcement was made today by Jeff Lapin, CEO, Atari.

Thom Kozik, who recently joined Atari in March, brings more than twenty-five years of experience in games, technology and online beginning with Microsoft followed by leadership roles with Yahoo!, Bigpoint and K2 Network.  Kozik has been leading this new initiative, focused on attracting independent developers and content distribution partners with Atari's multi-platform approach to development, marketing and distribution.  More than a dozen studios are actively developing new casual and social games around the Atari GO suite of services.

"Thom brings a wealth of experience and insight to his role here at Atari as he joins our management team during this high growth period in online gaming," said Lapin.  "We look forward to bringing modernized versions of our well-known games, such as Asteroids, and new original games to global online marketplace."

"The programs, tools and support structures behind Atari GO allows developers to focus on making great games that can then be delivered globally," said Thom Kozik, Executive VP, Online & Mobile at Atari. "Developers can already sign up for our programs and collaborate with us as we envision the future of cross-platform gaming."

Atari Games Online will offer programs designed to connect great games to online gamers across a number of platforms:

• The Independent Developer Program will cultivate new original games and games based on Atari's deep catalog of classic IP while supporting them with the strength of the Atari brand, marketing and platform support.
• The Affiliate Program will enable popular independent sites to embed genuine online versions of Classic Atari games along with our new titles, directly into their site and share in the revenue.
• The Distribution Program is focused on identifying and partnering with top portals, social networks and game aggregators to expand Atari's audience.
• Marketing and Platforms support will help developers with distribution, marketing, and metrics. Atari will also help developers navigate the increasing complexities of publishing on multiple social networks, sites and portals by assisting with registration, inventory management, monetization tuning and advertising support.

Complementing the announcement of Atari GO, the company is showcasing a new production slate of re-imagined classic games that will roll out in the coming months.

For more information about Atari's online initiatives (ATARI GO) and developer, affiliate and distribution programs please visit: www.atari.com/go

ABOUT ATARI, SA

Atari group is a global creator, producer and publisher of interactive entertainment. Atari's brands and content are available across all key traditional and digital distribution touch points, including browser-based and social online platforms, PC, consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, and advanced smart phones (i.e. iPhone, Android and RIM devices). Divisions of Atari, SA include Cryptic Studios, Eden Studios, Atari Interactive, Inc. and Atari, Inc.

Atari benefits from the strength of its worldwide brand and its extensive catalogue of contemporary classic game franchises (Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Lunar Lander®), original owned franchises (Test Drive®, Backyard Sports®, Deer Hunter®), MMO games from Cryptic Studios (Star Trek™ Online, Champions Online™) and third party franchises (Ghostbusters®, Rollercoaster Tycoon®, Dungeons and Dragons®). Atari also leverages the power of its franchises to deliver movies and merchandise to consumers around the world.

For more information please visit: www.atari.com

Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

SOURCE Atari