Report: Konami Ends Atari Distribution Deal For Australia, Partners With Red Ant

Atari will now distribute Namco Bandai's games in Australia, ending a ten-year distribution relationship with developer and publisher Konami. Namco Bandai acquired a 34 percent stake in Atari parent Infogrames' European and Asian distribution operations in September, and received exclusive rights to distribute Namco Bandai's titles in Australia, Atari plans to continue distributing Konami's titles in the region until the release of Silent Hill: Homecoming in February 2009. In anticipation of the distribution deal's conclusion, Konami will partner with Sydney-based distributor Red Ant, who will take over once Silent Hill ships, according to a report from industry news site Edge. Red Ant distributes video game titles for dozens of publishers in Australia and New Zealand, including Bethesda, Midway, SouthPeak, and most recently Capcom. "It’s been great working with Atari Australia," says Konami Digital Entertainment president Kunio Neo, according to Edge. "Atari conducts an outstanding distribution operation, and we have had many great years together. We part company as good friends, and I wish [Atari Australia managing director Gerard Noonan] and his team continued success in Australia."