Atari acquires longtime rival Intellivision
Game Over for Rivals: Atari Buys Intellivision?
Atari has announced the acquisition of its longtime rival Intellivision, marking the end of a historic rivalry in the video game industry. The deal includes the takeover of the Intellivision brand and over 200 games, although it excludes the Intellivision Amico console project. Atari plans to expand the distribution of Intellivision games and explore new game creation and licensing opportunities. Meanwhile, the company formerly known as Intellivision will rebrand and continue developing the Amico console, with Atari granting licensing rights for featuring Intellivision games on it.
How does Intellivision plan to rebrand itself post-acquisition, and what will be its focus?
Post-acquisition, Intellivision plans to rebrand itself and continue its focus on developing the Amico console project, which was initially scheduled to launch in 2020. This development effort will be supported by a licensing agreement with Atari, allowing Intellivision to feature legacy Intellivision games on the Amico console. This strategic move aims to leverage the nostalgic appeal of Intellivision's classic games while introducing new titles to enhance the Amico family gaming platform, as indicated by Intellivision CEO Phil Adam2. Thus, Intellivision's rebranding strategy revolves around revitalizing its classic gaming heritage and continuing innovation in its console offerings.
What is the significance of Atari acquiring Intellivision in the context of the video game industry's history?
The acquisition of Intellivision by Atari is significant in the context of the video game industry's history as it marks the end of one of the longest-running company rivalries in the industry. Atari and Intellivision were competitors in the late 1970s and 1980s with their respective Atari 2600 and Intellivision home consoles. This rivalry predates the more well-known competition between Nintendo and Sega in the 1990s.
The acquisition allows Atari to own the rights to over 200 games from Intellivision's portfolio and its trademarks. This move expands Atari's already extensive library of retro games and strengthens its position as a retro gaming-focused company. Atari plans to expand the digital and physical distribution of Intellivision games, explore brand and licensing opportunities, and potentially create new games5.
However, the deal does not include the Intellivision Amico console. Intellivision Entertainment will continue to develop and distribute the Amico console under a new brand and with a license from Atari to distribute new versions of Intellivision games on that console. This acquisition not only unites former competitors but also brings together fans of Atari, Intellivision, and the golden age of gaming.