Thu, May 14, 2009 | 10:42 BST
Atari becomes US-only brand
Atari’s officially backed out of Europe, with Namco Bandai now handling Atari titles in the region.
According to this MCV post, Distribution Partners (or Namco Bandai Partners) will be headed up by former Take Two, THQ and EA exec John Galloway in Europe.
“We believe that DP will become a wholly-owned Namco Bandai games company soon, but this process requires time and we will comment further when we have an anticipated closing date,” said Atari’s European marketing boss David Miller this week.
Atari will still operate as a brand in the US.
More through there. So long, Atari. Was fun.
Thanks, scratchy.
8 
Posted in: Atari, Europe, Hot, Trade
Tags: Distribution Partners, John Galloway
8 comments
#1
DrDamn
14/05/09, 11:03 am
So did Sony pay for Euro exclusivity with Ghostbusters or just step in to ensure versions on it’s machines were released to tie in with the BR film re-release?
#2
Aimless
14/05/09, 11:07 am
The latter, I’d imagine.
It was always a bit of a weird arrangement, but I guess Sony were tipped about the impending delay due to the licensing connection and just decided to take matters into their own hands. That or Philly H. got on the Batphone.
#3
mart
14/05/09, 11:10 am
HEHE, “DP”.
#4
Patrick Garratt
14/05/09, 11:16 am
hahaha
#5
SticKboy
14/05/09, 11:21 am
Blatantly Atari relinquished the Euro rights to the highest bidder and Sony stepped in, along with their own proprietary stipulations.
#6
David
14/05/09, 11:35 am
http://www2.britxbox.co.uk/viewarticle.php?id=3635
They haven’t given up rights they just let sony publish their version as Sony have put a lot of money behind the BD and other items
#7
deftangel
14/05/09, 11:53 am
This makes me
Though when their reinvention to an online only company is complete I wonder how much it’ll actually matter.
#8
Goliath
14/05/09, 2:38 pm
It seems Sony’s PAL exclusivity wasn’t underhanded at all but a necessity.