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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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:41
Snaileb
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:42
Kaspar
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:42
Klytus
the Only thing coming out of this is a big paycheck for harrison
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:44
MechaMonkey
Phil Harrison = bald Barry Pepper

Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:46
Kryptinite
I can't wait to hear what all the D-bags who said this would never happen have to say
MrJunko's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:46
MrJunko
isnt that the sniper from saving private ryan?
Dale North's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:50
Dale North
MrJunko - I LOLd
Reafis's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 10:51
Reafis
shit lol it is...
Corak's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:12
Corak
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:13
c0dek
Pitfall the MMO. Online. Advanced. Retro-Evolved.

you heard it here first
Namelessted's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:21
Namelessted
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:28
Chocobo Knight
That pic is his ecstatic face. He looks psyched!!
Violet Son's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:24
Violet Son
First order of business: get rid of the Infogrames theme song
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:18
brainderailment
Atari=shit.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:24
vexed alex
Three words.

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

?
McSnow's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:53
McSnow
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 14:10
LordRegulus
Well I'll be damned. Kinda makes me wonder if it was a good idea to bail out when I did...
kevinski's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 14:15
kevinski
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 14:18
Niero
I smell a stock trick.
kawitchate's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 14:26
kawitchate
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 15:31
MechaMonkey
What does that smell like, Niero?
nademagnet's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 16:00
nademagnet
Chicken? Maybe with a side of mashed potatoes...

that's a good smell.
braulio09's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 16:34
braulio09
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 16:53
moot button
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 17:03
MatCD
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 - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 17:12
grrza
grrza's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 17:22
grrza
bored.
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 18:05
AgentMOO
What is atari but a miserable pile of secrets?
HarassmentPanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 20:04
HarassmentPanda
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 - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 01:41
BlackSunEmpire
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 - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 03:36
Necros
If he turns it around, I'll be amazed.
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