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Phil Harrison becomes the president of Infogrames... for some reason photo

Yeah, that Phil Harrison. The former Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios boss has moved over to Atari. Yeah, that Atari.

It sounds like the goal is to relaunch Atari into "a leading online game company." They need Phil to oversee software development at Infogrames (worst name ever) in both online and regular games, giving him duties very similar to the ones he had at Sony. He will work directly under CEO David Gardner, another recent defector from a large company, Electronic Arts.

"This is the perfect time to join Infogrames and help shape the future of Atari -- one of the industry’s legendary brands," says Harrison. "As the game business moves rapidly online I believe we have an outstanding opportunity to create amazing network game and community experiences for players the world over."

What is Atari working on? Makes you wonder, doesn't it? They recently lost a lot of money, sold off popular franchies, and laid off workers. And now they hire two industry big wigs? For what?  It must be something big, as Harrison has been with Sony since 1992.

This could get interesting. What do you think? Is Atari on their way back?

[Via Gamasutra] 


Continue: More WHAAAAAAT? stories





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32 comments | showing # 1 to 32

Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 03/04/2008 10:41
Why is it that failing companies are starting to hire this guy to bring them back into the spotlight, might be the real question.
Kaspar's Avatar
Kaspar at 03/04/2008 10:42
If he wanted to be paid less, he could have just asked the guys in Sony to cut his salary...This is confusing.
Klytus's Avatar
Klytus at 03/04/2008 10:42
the Only thing coming out of this is a big paycheck for harrison
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 03/04/2008 10:44
Phil Harrison = bald Barry Pepper

Kryptinite's Avatar
Kryptinite at 03/04/2008 10:46
I can't wait to hear what all the D-bags who said this would never happen have to say
MrJunko's Avatar
MrJunko at 03/04/2008 10:46
isnt that the sniper from saving private ryan?
Dale North's Avatar
Dale North at 03/04/2008 10:50
MrJunko - I LOLd
Reafis's Avatar
Reafis at 03/04/2008 10:51
shit lol it is...
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 03/04/2008 11:12
Not sure Atari is on their way back, but hiring a guy that is highly recognized in the industry is at least some start.
c0dek's Avatar
c0dek at 03/04/2008 11:13
Pitfall the MMO. Online. Advanced. Retro-Evolved.

you heard it here first
Namelessted's Avatar
Namelessted at 03/04/2008 11:21
yeah, that is really weird. Phil moves from Sony to Infogrames? From one company that is doing not so good to a company that is doing worse. Seriously, want has Infogrames published that was good in the last 3 years? I mean, when Peter Moore left Microsoft he went big and hopped on over to EA.
Chocobo Knight's Avatar
Chocobo Knight at 03/04/2008 11:28
That pic is his ecstatic face. He looks psyched!!
Violet Son's Avatar
Violet Son at 03/04/2008 12:24
First order of business: get rid of the Infogrames theme song
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 03/04/2008 13:18
Atari=shit.
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 03/04/2008 13:24
Three words.

What. The. Fuck.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 03/04/2008 13:42
One punctuation used to describe three words.

?
McSnow's Avatar
McSnow at 03/04/2008 13:53
Did you know that Infogrames were meant to be called Infogames, an edutainment gaming company but due to a typo they had to rethink their entire business concept.

Did you also know that I talk complete bollocks?
LordRegulus's Avatar
LordRegulus at 03/04/2008 14:10
Well I'll be damned. Kinda makes me wonder if it was a good idea to bail out when I did...
kevinski's Avatar
kevinski at 03/04/2008 14:15
I really wasn't expecting this to actually happen. Very cool, though, especially if it ends up benefitting Atari. While I realize that they aren't the company they once were, it'd be a crime for them to die out.
Niero's Avatar
Niero at 03/04/2008 14:18
I smell a stock trick.
kawitchate's Avatar
kawitchate at 03/04/2008 14:26
personally i would have went with a Billy Corgan joke for that picture like "Atari? What is this, 1979? Cool Phil never have the time." but to each his own
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 03/04/2008 15:31
What does that smell like, Niero?
nademagnet's Avatar
nademagnet at 03/04/2008 16:00
Chicken? Maybe with a side of mashed potatoes...

that's a good smell.
braulio09's Avatar
braulio09 at 03/04/2008 16:34
Probably businessmen's semen, MechaMonkey.

Also, I'd say they're greatly depending on more DBZ and Alone in the Dark (if that's an Atari game...I'm kinda confused on that).
moot button's Avatar
moot button at 03/04/2008 16:53
Harrison was sent along to Atari to shape them up so that when EA tries to buy them they are worth something
MatCD's Avatar
MatCD at 03/04/2008 17:03
He jumped off the Hindenburg and landed on the Titanic.

j/k, i respect Sony's position on the current console market...
grrza's Avatar
grrza at 03/04/2008 17:12
grrza's Avatar
grrza at 03/04/2008 17:22
bored.
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 03/04/2008 18:05
What is atari but a miserable pile of secrets?
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 03/04/2008 20:04
This is really odd. Either Phil Harrison sees a good opportunity to invest in Atari now and guide the company to a successful (and profitable) future or Harrison left Sony on bad terms and kept it very quiet.
BlackSunEmpire's Avatar
BlackSunEmpire at 03/05/2008 01:41
Its obvious Infogrames is named because they give grams of coke to the big wigs.

Look at that photo, I can almost see his nasal septum crumbling.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 03/05/2008 03:36
If he turns it around, I'll be amazed.
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