Key Takeaways
1. Atari has acquired the intellectual property rights for five game titles from Ubisoft, paving the way for re-releases and potential sequels.
2. Notable titles in the agreement include Cold Fear, Child of Eden, I Am Alive, and Grow Home, which have been inactive for a long time.
3. The deal aims to revive these games, expanding their availability on different platforms and reaching new audiences.
4. Atari has recently acquired Nightdive Studios and Digital Eclipse, enhancing its capabilities in remastering classic titles.
5. Ubisoft reported €2.32 billion in net bookings for its 2023-2024 fiscal year, maintaining a strong portfolio with popular franchises.
Atari and Ubisoft have made a significant deal that allows Atari to take over the intellectual property rights for five game titles from Ubisoft, setting the stage for their modern re-releases and possibly new sequels in the future.
Ubisoft’s Enthusiasm
Deborah Papernik, Vice President of New Business at Ubisoft, expressed her excitement in a statement:
“Millions of players have experienced these worlds over the years, and this will open the door for long-time players to revisit those memories while inviting new audiences to discover them for the first time.”
Notable Titles Included
One of the titles included in this agreement is Cold Fear, a survival horror game developed by Darkworks. Players take on the role of Tom Hansen, a US Coast Guard Officer who investigates a mysterious Russian whaling ship.
Another title is Child of Eden, which came out in 2011 as a rhythm-based rail shooter. Directed by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who is known for Rez, Lumines, and Tetris Effect, the game utilized the Kinect sensor on Xbox 360 and the PlayStation Move controller on PS3, while still supporting standard controllers.
In addition, I Am Alive, released in 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, is a post-apocalyptic survival game where a father searches for his lost family in a ruined hometown.
Reviving Old Favorites
The platforming game Grow Home, which debuted in 2015, follows a robot named B.U.D. as he climbs and nurtures a Star Plant to sustain his planet. Its sequel, Grow Up, was released in 2016.
These games have been inactive for a long time, primarily associated with the Xbox 360 and PS3 period, and none have previously been available on Nintendo systems. Atari aims to reintroduce these titles under its publishing label, potentially adding new content and expanding platform availability to reach a larger gaming audience.
Atari has also recently acquired Nightdive Studios and Digital Eclipse, both renowned for remastering classic titles. A recent project, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, comprises 11 games from the series, including versions for arcade, console, and portable systems.
Expanding Atari’s Portfolio
Furthermore, Atari has become a major stakeholder in Thunderful Group, known for the SteamWorld series, purchased rights to Transport Tycoon, and has even acquired its former competitor Intellivision.
On the other side, Ubisoft reported net bookings of €2.32 billion for its 2023-2024 fiscal year. The company continues to have a robust portfolio of franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, and Ghost Recon.
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