Infogrames Losses Down, Details New Atari Focus

French publisher and Atari parent company Infogrames has announced its half year results, with sales down from €105.5 to €91.2 million ($134.9m), but 34 percent drop in losses to €27.6 million ($40.8m), also detailing a new focus on research and development investment and online business. Losses were down from the prior year's €41.8 million ($61.8m). The company said the sales decline was most strongly felt in the U.S., where sales have fallen 62 percent, while Europe and Asia have grown 15 and 12 percent, respectively. Infogrames said it plans to relaunch its Atari group's classic franchises "with strong potential," and adds that it has more than 10 projects in multi-platform next-gen development, including the forthcoming Alone in the Dark and Test Drive Unlimited. It also plans to provide updates to older franchises such as Airborne Rangers and Hogs of War in addition to its "Backyard" line of sports titles for the U.S., including Backyard Baseball 2009 and Backyard Football 2009. Finally, the company says it will be "taking advantage of the move to 'online,' with new titles including online multiplayer functionality, and making stronger strides toward the casual game sphere, "with the help of the Group’s many historic franchises such as Atari Classics, and an increase in community-managed games." As part of this "Atari Out Of The Box" initiative, Infogrames also plans to extend its reach through online retailers, and has "already started talks with potential technical and distribution partners."