Atari Announces Unreal Engine License, New Directors

U.S.-headquartered publisher and developer Atari has announced a deal with developer and middleware creator Epic Games allowing Atari to use the Unreal Engine 3 and tools for games on next-generation platforms in a multiple-licensing agreement. The Atari deal does not specify either games or studios that might be using Unreal Engine 3, but the company's internal North American studios include California-based The Matrix: Path Of Neo developer Shiny Entertainment and Texas-based former Pilot Wings 64 developer Paradigm, and Atari-affiliated foreign studios include Australian developer Melbourne House (Transformers) and UK studio Reflections (Driv3r). Epic previously had a significant publishing relationship with Atari/Infogrames through Infogrames' purchase of GT Interactive, Unreal's long-time publisher, but recent Unreal-related games have been published by Midway under a three-game deal. "We're excited to continue building our relationship with Epic Games and we look forward to tapping the potential of Unreal Engine 3 technology," said Jean-Marcel Nicolai, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Content, Atari, Inc. "By utilizing the Unreal Engine 3, Atari will gain rapid prototyping capabilities." Atari has also today announced additions to its board of directors, helping it to satisfy minimum NASDAQ requirements on independent directors. These include Ronald C. Bernard, former President of NFL Enterprises and President of Viacom Network Enterprises, as well as former MGM chief financial officer Michael G. Corrigan and Infogrames Deputy Chief Operating Officer Evence-Charles Coppee. The company recently reported disappointing results amid longer-term concerns, but continues to restructure, and releases key holiday title The Matrix: Path Of Neo today.