Those who have never played an Atari video game remember the historians Pac-Man or Space Invaders. The company announced on Tuesday the creation of a blockchain division dedicated to developing games and the launch of a cryptocurrency. The company said in a press release that it plans to place its “Atari token” as payment for digital goods within the content on its console and other platforms, as well as on third-party games and applications.
“Atari will also continue to evaluate opportunities in blockchain gaming, NFTs, and blockchain based online worlds”, is written in the release citing the innumerable potentials of this technology.
Atari said it is also creating a division that will focus on the “expanding retro gaming market.” Atari is famous for its ping-pong game “Pong”, widely regarded as the first video game to achieve serious commercial success. The brand with its portfolio of over 200 games and franchises was saved from bankruptcy in 2013 by the French company Ker Ventures owned by Frederic Chesnais and the American fund Alden. Atari said on Tuesday that Chesnais will step down as CEO to head up the blockchain and licensing division while American Wade Rosen, currently president, will take over from his French colleague. . The share price has doubled since January 2021.
