The once video game powerhouse has released details on how it intends to regain popularity and profits in the future.
The official “Corporate Comeback Strategy” of Atari has been unveiled, which sheds light on how the previously bankrupt company plans to become profitable once more, including how it intends to tap into the wearable technology industry and how it will reach out to LGBT and social gambling audiences.
Classic Atari brands will be re-launched and made available for diverse platforms.
Pong, Asteroids and other traditional titles from the video game company are to be re-introduced and will be designed for various digital platforms including online, PC, iOS and Android.
According to Atari Inc. Chief Executive Officer Fred Chesnais, Atari isn’t just a company that publishes games; “it’s an iconic brand that has established a passionate and timeless culture.” He went on to say that Atari is known across the globe among several generations and it has every intention to keep on embracing all audiences. What the company has achieved throughout the years has been incredible, but there is still much to come. That beings said, Atari is aware that there will be challenges along the way.
Part of Atari’s strategy is to license wearable technology hardware.
Chesnais said that the company is a hardware brand it is not just a software brand. That said, the CEO did stress that this does not mean Atari has any plans for making a new console in the future. Instead, Atari intends to license “gamified hardware and wearable devices.” He said that though their focus would not be on a new console, it would be on something like a “gamified watch”.
Another wearable tech idea Chesnais mentioned, in addition to a gaming watch, could be a plug-in for a jacket, for instance, so the user could power their Android smartphone or iPhone. With a solar chip on their shoulder they won’t ever require batteries.
“We’re looking forward to delivering on our new strategy and engaging with our audience in new ways across multiple channels as the next era of Atari unfolds,” Chesnais said. It will be interesting to see what wearable technology and other developments take place from Atari’s comeback.
This smartwatch is the latest generation of the original Pebble. That first device is still available at Best Buy and is being sold in Arctic White for $149.99. The Steel, however, is designed to be more elegant and sturdy than the sportier original. Though it is designed on the same hardware platform, it doubles the memory of the original device, which was 64KB. It is currently priced at $229 in the store (though the suggested retail price is $249.