Atari Announces Puzzler World for Nintendo DS

- Addicting Sequel to Smash Hit ‘Puzzler Collection’ Features More Than 1000 Games from Classic Favorites Like Crossword, Sudoku, and Wordsearch to All-New Games Such As Jigsaw and Equate -

New York – October 27, 2009 – Atari Inc., one of the world’s most recognized video game publishers, announced today that it will bring one of the world’s foremost puzzle brands, Puzzler, to Nintendo DS™ this holiday season with Puzzler World. The ultimate brain-buster for puzzle lovers of all ages and sequel to smash hit Puzzler Collection, Puzzler World will offer up more than 1000 games developed specifically for the DS by Ideas Pad in close partnership with Puzzler Media - the masterminds behind the Puzzler brand. The title will feature an incredible collection of 14 different puzzle types spanning such popular formats as Wordsearch, Sudoku, Crossword, Fitwork, Link-A-Pix, Codeword, Spot the Difference and Silhouette, as well as bonus games including Hangman and all-new puzzle formats Equate, Jigsaw, and more. Puzzler World will be available across North American retailers on December 8, 2009 for a suggested retail price of $19.99. In addition to the DS release, Puzzler World will also be available for PC download at Atari.com.

“Puzzler World gives everyone from puzzle amateurs looking for a travel companion to puzzle masters a chance to experience the classic, addicting games we all know and love,” said Jim Wilson, CEO, Atari, Inc. “Nintendo DS™ is the perfect system for casual puzzle gaming on the go and the new game formats are sure to become instant favorites.”

With an extensive array of classic games and all-new puzzle formats, Puzzler World will challenge users with endless entertainment and different degrees of difficulty. Players will be able to choose from two distinct game modes, Quickplay or Challenge, making it accessible for beginners and tough enough for even the most advanced puzzle gurus. Problem solvers who dominate Challenge mode will find that there are plenty of bonus games to further meet their brain-busting thirst; these include all-new gaming formats such as Chain Letters and Picture Quiz, as well as additional classic favorites like Hangman and Missing Piece. \

In addition, Puzzler World features a handwriting recognition mode which will train the game to recognize the user’s handwriting.

Puzzler World is rated “E” (for everyone) by ESRB.

Hit The Field With Backyard Football '10

- 10th Version of Best Selling Kids Football Videogame Releases Featuring All New Co-Op Gameplay -

- Debuts on Xbox 360 with Microsoft’s “Family Games” Status -

New York – October 22, 2009 – Atari, one of the world’s most recognized videogame publishers, announced today the release of Backyard Football ’10, the latest iteration of the number one youth football videogame franchise. Now available at retailers nationwide, and for the first time on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the title has earned Microsoft’s “Family Games” status, which requires the game to pass a strict set of criteria based on rating, ease of play and audience appeal. Backyard Football ’10 has also released on Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and features a star studded roster of NFL players featured as animated middle-schoolers in the game.

Packed with real football action, Backyard Football ’10 features all new co-op play for exciting 2 vs 2 action, enhanced controls, new unlockables, insane power ups, custom teams and characters, multiple play modes (single player, season play, tournament and all-pro) as well as a hall of fame where kids can compare their season scores and rankings from Backyard Football ‘09.

“Whether looking for a unique and realistic football experience or family friendly, easy gameplay environment to interact with your favorite NFL players, Backyard Football ’10 is a title that will provide the best in youth gaming out there,” said Keith Gordon, Vice President of Licensing, NFL PLAYERS. “We think fans of the franchise will be excited by the amount of impressive new features and look forward to watching as kids of all ages experience the thrilling gameplay Backyard Football ’10 has to offer.”

“The Backyard Football franchise continues to evolve, building on our past successes and adding exciting new features including co-op gameplay that allows kids and families to play together,” said Jim Wilson, CEO, Atari, Inc. “We also look forward to continued success as we move this ‘Family Friendly’ game onto the Xbox 360.”

Backyard Football ’10 combines realistic NFL plays and strategies with wild arcade style power moves and comical scenarios so gamers of all ages can learn the fundamentals of football while having fun. Kid-friendly and non-violent, Backyard Football ’10 features multiple levels so it is easy for beginners to jump in a play, yet challenging enough for even die-hard football fans. The game lets kids customize their football players and teams, choose the season, style, location, pace, and strategy of the game and play a full season or single games.

Backyard Football ’10 is rated “E” (for everyone) by ESRB and is available at retailers across North America for Xbox 360 ($39.99), Wii™ ($29.99) and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system ($19.99).

Backyard Football is part of the Backyard Sports series, the bestselling sport video game franchise for kids. Since 1996, the Backyard Sports franchise has sold nearly 12 million units and received over a hundred awards for excellent. What’s more, according to an independent study, 15 percent of boys in the United States, ages five to 10, own at least on Backyard Sports title.

Atari Launches New Facebook App - Photo Sauce

- Available Through Facebook® Platform, “Photo Sauce” Adds Flavor to Photos with Colorful Stickers and Speech Bubbles for Instant Sharing with Friends -

NEW YORK, NY – October 21, 2009 – Atari, one of the world’s most recognized videogame publishers, announced today the launch of the social networking application: Atari Photo Sauce. Developed by the Atari London Studio, this new application allows Facebook users to express themselves by digitally decorating and personalizing their own photos with colorful and fun stickers, speech bubbles and accessories. Atari Photo Sauce is now available to more than 300 million active users on Facebook via the site’s application directory and can be accessed directly through apps.facebook.com/photosauce.

“Atari introduced the world to computer entertainment with simple and fun games for everyone,” said Paulina Bozek, Development Director, Atari London Studio. “Atari Photo Sauce builds on that heritage with a social application that is universally appealing and instantly fun, allowing social networkers, who share billions of photos online, a new way to be creative with photos and share them instantly with friends everywhere.”

Through the expansive sticker catalogue of cute graphics, irreverent sayings and funny accessories, Atari Photo Sauce enables users to create a unique story told through their pictures. Additional features include popular sayings and cultural memes with colorful graphics and accessories such as, gold chains, teddy bear helmets and over-sized shades.

The application is seamlessly integrated with users’ photos on Facebook and features a slick interface that allows users to simply drag and drop the material onto their digital images. Once a photo is “Photo Sauced,” users can publish it in their Facebook stream for their friends to see with a Photo Sauce thumbnail appearing in the story. Tagged friends are notified via the application and receive a message saying “You’ve Been Photo Sauced!” Additionally, Atari Photo Sauce allows users to create personalized and unique digital greeting cards featuring their own photos and special message.

Atari plans to release new stickers for various holidays, events and pop culture moments that will be accessible inside the application. Atari will also likely launch themed stickers and accessory packages for various holidays and seasonal events, such as birthdays, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Source: Press Release

Backyard Football '10 Broncos Vs. Chargers

Atari to Publish Project Runway Video Game

NEW YORK, NY (October 9, 2009) – Atari Inc., one of the world’s most recognized brands, and The Weinstein Company, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with The Weinstein Company to develop and publish a series of video game titles based on the pop culture sensation Project Runway. The initial game in the Project Runway line will be developed by Tornado Studios and is expected to be released for Wii™ in Spring 2010. The announcement was made by Jim Wilson, CEO and President, Atari Inc and Harvey Weinstein, Co- Chairman of The Weinstein Company.

The Project Runway video game will put players in the role of an aspiring fashion designer. Similar to the show, players will be presented with different challenges as they create designs and adorn models with hair, make-up, and accessories. Players can then become the model and strut their creations down the runway using the Wii Balance Board™ accessory. Capturing the true essence of Project Runway, the title will feature the show’s talent.

“The opportunity for Project Runway, the quintessential fashion brand and a pop culture phenomenon, is huge in the video game segment,” said Wilson, “Consumers will have the opportunity to not only exercise their creativity as an up and coming fashion designer, but also enjoy the fun of walking the runway on the Wii balance board.

Harvey Weinstein added, “We are thrilled to be in business with Atari as the Project Runway brand continues to expand allowing fans to actively participate in the program they love by using this new medium as a tool to explore their creativity.”

Unique features of the Project Runway video game will include: an interactive garment studio, a fashion career mode, hair and make-up studios, a Wii Balance Board-compatible catwalk game and a feature where the player can take part in high-profile fashion shoots and take on the role of a fashion photographer. All fun and family friendly game features are based on the content from the show.

The Atari-The Weinstein Company Project Runway video game deal comes on the heels of record-breaking ratings for the new season of the critically acclaimed, Emmy nominated hit series. At its new home on Lifetime, the much anticipated season premiere scored a phenomenal 3.3 rating in households, up 34% from last season’s debut. With an average of 4.2 million total viewers, Project Runway was the highest-rated premiere ever for both the show and a Lifetime series. It was also the highest-rated premiere for a cable competition reality series this year.

Atari Inc. has also recently released the critically acclaimed Ghostbusters: The Video Game which has sold over one million copies. The company is also releasing Star Trek Online in 2010.

Eli Manning Trailer - Backyard Football '10

Namco Bandai has sent along a new trailer for Backyard Football '10.  Check it out.  I should have a review for the game shortly after it's release so head back here to find out all the info on it.

Backyard Football 2010 Gameplay Trailer

Atari has sent along a gameplay trailer for Backyard Football 2010.

Atari Announces Backyard Football '10

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atari, one of the world's most recognized video game publishers, announced today plans to release the newest installment of the number one youth football video game franchise this October with Backyard Football '10. For the first time ever, this must have title will be on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and has earned Microsoft's "Family Friendly" status, which requires the game to pass a strict set of criteria based on rating, ease of play and audience appeal. Backyard Football '10, which also returns to Wii(TM) and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, features new co-op play for exciting 2 vs 2 action and is packed with a roster full of NFL superstars featured as animated middle-schoolers in the game.

Backyard Football '10, featuring NFL players as kids, combines realistic NFL plays and strategies with wild arcade style power moves and comical scenarios so gamers of all ages can learn the fundamentals of football while having fun. Multiple levels make it easy enough for beginners, yet challenging enough for even die-hard football fans.

"Featuring NFL players as kids gives youth gamers a unique and friendly environment to interact with their favorite NFL stars, while providing easy game-play for consumers of all ages," said Keith Gordon, Vice President of Licensing, NFL PLAYERS. "We're very happy about what Backyard Football '10 has to offer."

In addition to new co-op, 2 vs. 2 multi-player action, Backyard Football '10 features enhanced controls, new unlockables, insane power ups, custom teams and characters, multiple play modes (single player, season play, tournament and all-pro) as well as a hall of fame from Backyard Football '09.

Rated "E" (for everyone) by ESRB, Backyard Football '10 will be available on Xbox 360 ($39.99), Wii(TM) ($29.99) and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system ($19.99).

Backyard Football is part of the Backyard Sports series, the only game brand licensed by nearly ALL professional US sports leagues: National Football League (NFL), NFL PLAYERS, Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Players Association, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League. Since 1996, the franchise has sold nearly 12 million units and has received over a hundred awards. What's more, according to an independent study, 15 percent of boys in the United States ages five to 10 own at least one Backyard Sports game.

Source: Atari Press Release