ATARI files for bankruptcy... again.

[max_cady]

This just in from the LA Times:

The U.S. operations of iconic but long-troubled video game maker Atari have filed for bankruptcy in an effort to break free from their debt-laden French parent.

Atari Inc. and three of its affiliates filed petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York late Sunday.

Its leaders hope to break the American business free from French parent Atari S.A. and in the next few months find a buyer to take the company private. They hope to grow a modest business focused on digital and mobile platforms, according to a knowledgeable person not authorized to discuss the matter privately.

Although the 31-year-old brand is still known worldwide for its pioneering role with video games such as "Pong" and "Asteroids," Atari has been mired in financial problems for decades. Since the early 2000s it has been closely tied to French company Infogrames, which changed its name to Atari S.A. in 2003 and in 2008 acquired all the gaming pioneer's American assets.

Well, it's hardly a surprise. Atari's been under the radar for so long, it doesn't come as a shock. Nothing good ever came out of the merger with Infrogrames.

[Barry the Nomad]

All I want from Atari are quality rereleases of their console titles, retro hardware like the Atari Flashback and the occasional remake of classic games in the vein of Tempest 2000 or Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (not an Atari game, but in that style).

The recent Ghostbusters was a good game, but it wasn't what I want Atari's name slapped on. Unlike SEGA, I really think Atari hasn't remained relevant in the HD era. Like, to me, an Atari game is very much the type of games found on the Atari consoles. I never imagined them releasing games in the modern era, since they don't have that modern era style. What they do have are a great back catalog and a number of classics that would make for good XBLA/PSN remakes (again, look to Tempest 2000).

[Centrale]

I'd love to see a reborn Atari that not only stewards their history well with nice rereleases, but also creates new games in a retro style.  There's a niche for well-crafted retro style games these days... I'm thinking along the lines of Terry Cavanagh's Super Hexagon, and the usually great pixel art games published by Adult Swim.

[max_cady]

I'd like to see Blade Kitten: Episode II, but I think it's never coming out...

[crackdude]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opVmjPGzBUg[/youtube]

[Emmett The Crab]

I hope the Godzilla license goes to a good company then.  Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee was awesome, but each sequel was a little worse.