Atari set to acquire retro developer Digital Eclipse
Atari is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to acquire Digital Eclipse, the studio behind retro releases such as Mega Man Legacy Collection.
The details:
It has been confirmed (via GlobeNewsWire) that Digital Eclipse will join the Atari family later this week in a deal worth up to $20 million, which includes $6.5 million in cash and stock upon completion and an additional $13.5 million in cash depending on the studio's performance over the next decade.
This is the company's second acquisition this year, following the purchase of another retro developer, Nightdive Studios, for a similar deal, with Atari intending to lean more into its old-school roots. Digital Eclipse, like Nightdive, will continue to work on non-Atari IPs as it will "still have the freedom to seek out projects with other parties."
Atari CEO Wade Rosen commented on the acquisition, stating that Digital Eclipse is the "best in the world at what they do" and has a "deep love and respect for the history of the games industry," and that the studio, along with Nightdive, are in "perfect alignment with Atari's DNA and renewed purpose."
Digital Eclipse was founded in 1992, but it later merged with ImaginEngine to form Backbone Entertainment, which closed its doors in 2012. Since its return in 2015, the studio has focused on ports and remasters of classic franchises such as Mega Man Legacy Collection, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, and SNK 40th Anniversary Collection, all of which have received positive feedback from fans.
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