Atari has a huge catalogue of over 220 IPs just hibernating, so the challenge becomes what they throw their resources behind, says chief operating officer Todd Shallbetter.
They don’t want to just re-release them but have them re-imagine for a modern audience as their game design stills resonates today with gamers, notes Shallbetter.
”In having this great catalog of over 220 IPs, it affords us a lot of challenges and benefits,” he said. ”The challenge side is what do you select? What is it that we really want to put resources behind and really blow out for this fan base that is clamoring for these new things? On the other side, you have the benefit of having that back catalog to choose from.”
”…we all have our favorites that we’ve had ideations on. What would this look like leveraging new technologies, new delivery methods, and what makes sense from an artistic, creative and also commercial perspective?”
Alone in the Dark: Illumination is being built using Unreal Engine 4 and includes, as a series first, both online and co-operative gameplay for up to four players. They intend to randomise parts of the game so memorisation doesn’t take away all the fun, with enemies spawning differently, with room layouts shifting each playthrough.
”Our goal is to create new experiences with classic gameplay,” Shallbetter told Polygon. ”Full, sustained relevance.”
Alone in the Dark: Illumination releases on PC this November, with Haunted House: Cryptic Graves. also on the way.
