Atari in Cryptic Studios Takeover

[modeps]

Edge Online (via Gamesindustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/atari-acquires-cryptic-studios)) is reporting (http://www.edge-online.com/news/atari-cryptic-studios-takeover) that Publisher Atari has purchased MMO developer Cryptic Studios (http://www.crypticstudios.com/), who are currently developing both Star Trek Online (http://www.startrekonline.com/) and Champions Online (http://www.champions-online.com/).

In what Infogrames describes as a performance-based deal, Cryptic – which is currently working on three MMO titles – has been purchased outright for some $28 million, with further variable payments determined by the sales performance of the upcoming Champions Online and Star Trek Online.

Atari's parent company Infogrames says the deal is in line with the firm’s strategy to “become a leading online game developer and publisher".

The sales-performance-related bonuses could add up to $20m to the acquisition deal, depending on whether Champions Online and Star Trek’s sales can match Atari’s (undisclosed) performance targets.

Go Atari!

[riposte101]

When I see a series of big moves like this it reminds me of what Majesco was doing right before they went down. I hope the same does not occur to Atari.

[RevGored]

Hoooooly shit, this is pretty solid on the part of Atari. There's alot of CoH/CoV players, and now that the brand is under Atari, this may open doors for them to start newer 'small scale/niche' MMO's that actually have a userbase prior to launch.

Also, the difference between Atari and Majesco is Phil Harrison, to be honest.

[modeps]

Hoooooly shit, this is pretty solid on the part of Atari. There's alot of CoH/CoV players, and now that the brand is under Atari, this may open doors for them to start newer 'small scale/niche' MMO's that actually have a userbase prior to launch.

Also, the difference between Atari and Majesco is Phil Harrison, to be honest.

Just so we're clear, they picked up the developer, not necessarily the City of Heroes license. That may be staying with NCSoft.

[AspectVoid]

The City of Heroes/Villains property is with NCSoft. They took over the property as a whole awhile back and have done a great job with the updates. However, I know a lot of City of Heroes/Villains players who are looking forward to Champions Online, which is Cryptic developed, so they still have a player base there.