Atari buys Cryptic

[UnSub]

Did not see this coming.

EDIT: Did wonder where Cryptic was getting their money from; wondered how they were seriously going to self-publish two MMO titles within the space of 12 months or so.

EDIT 2: The Cryptic Studios site hasn't been updated at this point. All Cryptic game sites - ChampO, STO - are offline to me.

[Trippy]

It's not out of nowhere but you had to be plugged into the VC scene to have known something was coming. Cryptic was looking for money from VCs in the Fall after they got a new CEO but then suddenly stopped looking in October. A couple months later and this is the result.

[UnSub]

I was pretty sure Cryptic needed money. There is no way that NCsoft paid them enough for the CoH/V IP that meant the costs of developing ChampO and STO and a third secret title was covered. Or even enough that, without a good investment environment, Cryptic would have enough money to get ChampO out the door in Q2 2009 (I was 95% sure that they weren't going to miss this date, even if ChampO was a buggy mess - they just wouldn't have had to money to keep going) through self-publishing. But I thought they were would probably go into a deal with an existing publisher, not sell out completely.

My predictions (so I can look really, really stupid when they turn out false):

1) ChampO's launch date gets bumped from Q2 2009 to probably Q4 2009. Atari would want an Xmas bump and Cryptic will want more time on ChampO (because polish, polish, polish will make the title better).

2) A PR statement will go out saying how nothing changes. Things will change. Not key people, or some of Cryptic's aims, but they've got $20 million in performance bonuses to go for and things change when you are part of a big studio vs. an independent. Hopefully no-one they hired to do customer service (for ChampO's launch in Q2 2009) gets fired, but that is a possibility.

[Venkman]

I would say ChampO goes away entirely in favor of focusing all resources on STO. This is not a cool hip studio-driven publisher we're talking about. They're going to wonder about ChampO against DC MMO, or at the very least wonder about "splitting" (to them) resources to make two mediocre titles when they combine themselves to make one better one... btw around which a more compelling publishing and marketing campaign can be wrapped.

I'd also wager heavily that in whatever state STO exists, they're going to look for a way to draft off of the JJ Abrams flick (which provides a unique opportunity there in how it spans two different ages).

[SnakeCharmer]

Cryptic was also working on (what looked like) a survival horror  thing.

I  me some stuffs.

[Montague]

Wasn't Atari on the verge of bankruptcy a year or so ago? How the hell did this happen?

[tazelbain]

This is Infogrames who has taken over the Atari identity.

[schild]

Yea, this isn't Atari Atari. This is the new Atari.

[SnakeCharmer]

So the new boss isn't the same as the old boss?

[Pendan]

Maybe the new new new Atari but hard to follow the company name changes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari

Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Infogrames Entertainment SA (IESA). Atari Interactive has in turn licensed the brand name and assets to Atari, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATAR), a 51% majority owned subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA (IESA), encompassing its North American operations.

The original Atari Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in arcade games, home video game consoles, and home computers. The company's products, such as Pong and the Atari 2600, helped define the computer entertainment industry from the 1970s to the mid 1980s.

In 1984, the original Atari Inc. was split, and the arcade division was turned into Atari Games Inc.. Atari Games received the rights to use the logo and brand name with appended text "Games" on arcade games, as well as rights to the original 1972 - 1984 arcade hardware properties. The Atari Consumer Electronics Division properties were in turn sold to Jack Tramiel's Tramel Technology Ltd., which then renamed itself to Atari Corporation. In 1996, Atari Corporation reverse merged with disk drive manufacturer JT Storage (JTS), becoming a division within the company.

Atari Interactive started as a subsidiary of Hasbro Interactive, after Hasbro Interactive acquired all Atari Corporation related properties from JTS in 1998. IESA in turn acquired Hasbro Interactive in 2001, and proceeded to rename it to Infogrames Interactive. In 2003, IESA then changed the company name entirely to Atari Interactive.

The company that currently bears the name Atari Inc. was founded in 1993 under the name GT Interactive. IESA acquired a 62% controlling interest in GT Interactive in 1999, and proceeded to rename it Infogrames, Inc. After IESA's acquirement of Hasbro Interactive and its related Atari properties in 2001, Infogrames, Inc. intermittently published Atari branded titles for Infogrames Interactive. In 2003, Infogrames Inc. licensed the Atari name and logo from Atari Interactive and changed its name to Atari Inc. On October 11th, Infogrames completed its acquisition of Atari, Inc., making it a wholly owned subsidiary.

[Ghambit]

I want to die 

[Soln]

this may not be a bad thing.  Keeps Cryptic going.  And they can execute.

[UnSub]

Cryptic was also working on (what looked like) a survival horror  thing.

I  me some stuffs.

That's my hope too - that their third, incredibly unannounced title is a dark modern world title. I don't think The Secret World is going to emerge from Funcom, it is pretty unlikely I'd play CCP's World of Darkness MMO (I'd try it, but I think it would be EvE's drama ^ 200) and Cryptic have tended to make titles I've enjoyed.

[Modern Angel]

The problem with it is going to be the same thing as The Secret World: you're on a timetable to release at pretty much the same time as a WoD IP with a couple million built in fans. Not all will buy WoD, of course, but they're going to be a beast with that niche. It smacks of suicide.

[UnSub]

I don't think it is suicide for several dark modern MMOs to co-exist. For WoD, it is likely going to feature a bunch of emo vampires backstabbing each other over control of territory. That'll be fun for some, but there will also be those who just want to go out and set fire to monsters. That is where I think Cryptic would fit in.

Also:

As referenced previously, Cryptic will continue to develop, operate and service the game and retain complete development and operation control, which would include managing the community sites, customer service, and the game data center. We have no plans for and do not foresee any staffing or management changes.

So a lot of things Cryptic planned to do solo seem to be what they still (publicly) plan to do, just backed up by Atari's money.

[Venkman]

I don't think it is suicide for several dark modern MMOs to co-exist.

Considering there's, what, zero right now? I think we're ok

[SnakeCharmer]

Also, it's not like the gazillion fantasy MMOs aren't coexisting (ignoring that WoW is eating everybody's lunch right now).

And UnSub, I think TSW is going to be ok.  There's going to be some stuff coming out about it very soon, and not soon(tm).  Can't say much beyond that at this point.  Not that I'm bound by an NDA (I'm not), but I've got a couple pretty good sources that in so far I've got no reason not to believe what they say.  Granted, that can change, but I don't think it will.  Hope not anyway.  Out of the 3 horror MMOs, I think the Funcom has the potential to be the best one of them all.

[UnSub]

I like TSW. But Funcom is looking a bit shaky. And what is going to be released? Another screenshot? Some more puzzles that get the TSW forum fanbois all wound up? A load of promises about how awesome it will be ala AoC? I'll sign up for any beta for TSW, but thus far TSW really is vapour.

Also, if WoD is EvE but with vampires / werewolves / mages oh my, it will be a hit among certain groups of players.

Both WoD and TSW have potential. But, as has been shown time and time again, potential means nothing without execution.

[UnSub]

As a result of the sale, Cryptic is in a better financial position; Emmert gets to buy a Prowler.

[Ghambit]

Shouldnt this headline be more like "Cryptic saves Atari?"

or

"Cryptic cashes in chips..."   

[simonh]

Plenty of hints from Cryptic that they may develop an MMO based on Atari IP.

Emmert seems to want to do D&D (or Godzilla??).

I'd rather br playing Alone in the Dark Online. Only, if it was an MMO then then it would be hard to be 'Alone'. And if its persistent, they probably need to have a day/night cycle in the game, so its only going to be 'Dark' half the time.

Which Atari IP makes the best MMO?

[raydeen]

Which Atari IP makes the best MMO?

Pong.

[tazelbain]

ET

[Miscreant]

Freaking Forgotten Realms MMO. Slam dunk. Homerun. Touchdown. Gooooooooooal.

[schild]

I hate to be a dick to Atari, it's too easy. But they don't have any IPs worth making an MMOG out of. Not a single one.

Unless you really want to stretch it and say Highlander. In which case, Cryptic would be working on not only 1, but two MMOGs that were pretty much doomed. Who knows, maybe they'll bat STO out of the park.

[Ghambit]

If I had to make a guess they'd simply be making a newer version of DDO using the new 4.0 system (which I think is better, especially for an MMO).  If they could hash out a fluid, non-instanced ('cept for dungeons and encounters) version of FR or Eberron (preferably FR since DDO is Eberron already) they'd have a hit.  One with whom the Force is strong would suggest they sink WotC's Insider system into the game ala Ryzom Ring for budding GMs.

Speaking of which, why the hell doesnt someone come out with a DRAGONLANCE MMO?  As if jousting on dragons wasnt cool.

[schild]

DRAGONLANCE MMO?

Uh. Why would anyone want to make an MMOG out of the one D&D setting that was truly only about the heroes and their story? Doing crappy licenses like that is already half the problem of the genre.

[Trippy]

Cause people want to fly around on dragons?

[schild]

Cause people want to fly around on dragons?

Yea, because there's a dev company out there that can make that and not have it play like ass. (The other half of the problem)

[Ghambit]

DRAGONLANCE MMO?

Uh. Why would anyone want to make an MMOG out of the one D&D setting that was truly only about the heroes and their story? Doing crappy licenses like that is already half the problem of the genre.

Isnt EVERY DnD setting about that though?
I guess if I personally had a choice between Eberron, FR, or DL... I'd choose DL (and make sure it includes Top Gun style Dragonrider Jousting), but that's just me and I've been told I'm a nutbar more than once.

[Venkman]

Cause people want to fly around on dragons?

Yea, because there's a dev company out there that can make that and not have it play like ass. (The other half of the problem)

From the standpoint of adding fun flying, I'd actually put Cryptic pretty high on the list. That doesn't mean I think a Dragonlance MMO is a good idea, but making flying fun is the lesser of the worries.

Also, Phil Harrison talks about purchase. I am somewhat undecided. This could turn into another Mythic purchase thing.

[raydeen]

Cause people want to fly around on dragons?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpIvn4tMqKQ&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=jOr&q=dra 

[schild]

Cause people want to fly around on dragons?

Yea, because there's a dev company out there that can make that and not have it play like ass. (The other half of the problem)

From the standpoint of adding fun flying, I'd actually put Cryptic pretty high on the list. That doesn't mean I think a Dragonlance MMO is a good idea, but making flying fun is the lesser of the worries.

Putting an object in the air and having it move fast isn't that impressive a feat.

[Trippy]

Cause people want to fly around on dragons?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpIvn4tMqKQ&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=jOr&q=dra 

I played that game, and even with the sucky controls and difficulty hitting things I still had fun.

[Miscreant]

Putting an object in the air and having it move fast isn't that impressive a feat.

Having it feel right to the player while looking good to observers...priceless.