Atari intra in faliment...

[MonkY]

Sunt sigur ca nu exista gamer care sa nu stie ce a insemnat Atari pentru gaming si care sa nu se fi jucat macar odata in viata Pong (pentru cei care nu stiu, Pong s-a nascut acum mai bine de 40 de ani!) sau Asteroids. Au fost printre pionierii gamingului, arcade-ului si al consolelor... si in mod cert a avut o istorie tumultoasa. Am ramas insa cu multe console bune (Atari 2600 fiind una din cele mai bine vandute) si titluri pe masura. Nu putem sa nu amintim de conexiunile cu Infogrames, Hasbro, Midway si Nintendo... si faptul ca au fost printre cei care au rezistat crash-ului economic din 1983.

Insa din 2009, de cand Infogrames a devenit Atari S.A. ca si companie mama pentru Atari Inc si Atari Interactive Inc... problemele au devenit mult prea mari, totul culminand cu data de 21 Ianuarie 2013, cand cei de la Atari au decis sa intre in faliment, in speranta ca se pot desparti de Atari SA si se pot salva prin vanzarea de IP-uri.

Imi pare rau sa vad ca anul 2013 incepe atat de bine pentru unii (vezi CES-ul si lansarile spectaculoase de anul acesta), si atat de rau pentru altii (vezi ultimele stiri cu HMV, Blockbuster, Play.com, Jessops) care au fost nevoiti sa-si inchida afacerea. Poate cine stie, este genul acela de timp in care se face "schimbul de generatii". Cand cei "batrani" se retrag sa moara, lasand locul nebuniilor next-gen.

Well, in caz ca nu reusesc sa se salveze (in mare parte cu titluri de iOS), nu pot sa spun decat: Goodbye Atari si multumim pentru tot ce ai facut pentru gaming! Respect!

Mai jos aveti comunicatul de presa:

Today Atari Inc., Atari Interactive Inc., Humongous, Inc. and California US Holdings, Inc. (collectively, the "Companies") filed petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of New York. With this move, the U.S.-based Atari operations seek to separate from the structural financial encumbrances of their French parent holding company, Atari S.A. (formerly Infogrames S.A.) and secure independent capital for future growth, primarily in the areas of digital and mobile games.

Within the next 90-120 days, the Companies expect to effectuate a sale of all, or substantially all, of their assets in a "sale free and clear" under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or to confirm plans of reorganization that accomplish substantially the same result. These assets include not only one of the most widely recognized brand logos, which is familiar to 90% of Americans, according to a recent survey, but also legendary game titles including Pong, Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, Battlezone and Tempest. Other recognized brands include Test Drive, Backyard Sportsand Humongous.

Under current management, Atari Inc. has shifted its business from traditional retail games to digital games and licensing with an increased focus on developing mobile games based on some of Atari's most iconic and enduring franchises. With these moves, the company has added new revenue models, including digital download and advertising. As a result, Atari Inc. has become a growth engine for Atari S.A., which in turn has reported consecutive annual profits in 2011 and 2012.

The company has recently launched a slew of chart-topping titles for iOS and Android mobile platforms, including Atari Greatest Hits, Outlaw, Breakout and Asteroids Gunner. The company has previously announced upcoming mobile and tablet games based upon the popular Rollercoaster Tycoon franchise and Atari Casino.

The Chapter 11 process constitutes the most strategic option for Atari's U.S. operations, as they look to preserve their inherent value and unlock revenue potential unrealized while under the control of Atari S.A. During this period, the company expects to conduct its normal business operations.

The U.S. companies are also seeking approval to obtain $5.25 million in debtor-in-possession financing from one or more funds managed by Tenor Capital Management, a firm specializing in convertible arbitrage and special situations. Each unit has filed a number of traditional "first-day" pleadings, which are intended to minimize any disruption of their day-to-day operations.