Old-school games developer Atari will unveil their offline and online strategy to conquer television audiences with new cutting edge programming and franchise opportunities at Discop Johannesburg.
“As video gaming becomes more mainstream as well as more abstract, broadcast networks are looking for content to attract the highly valuable generations X, Y and now Z audiences through content that combines the best of all tech worlds,” said Robert Blagman, head of Global Distribution for Atari.
“Atari owns the world’s most popular library of iconic, home console and arcade games, each one with the potential to become a popular television format and deliver highly coveted eyeballs to broadcasters and advertisers. In addition, Atari is developing mobile apps for TV networks to combine old school and new school content and technology.”
“The statistics in terms of the hours people spend playing games and watching games on television are beginning to tilt toward the latter very quickly,” said Patrick Zuchowicki Jucaud, founder of the Discop markets.
“During the Johannesburg market, in a month from now, we’re going to see more broadcasters trying to exploit that. In the US networks like CW, ESPN and TBS have begun licensing e-sports shows and games.”
Blagman, and Frederic Chesnais, CEO of Atari will both be attending Discop Johannesburg, and are expected to take the stage on the opening day and explain how the virtual reality experience will boost the engagement of television audiences who are fond of video-game competitions.
Last March, the company announced the launch of Atari Vault, available for download on Steam for PC. The new title includes a complete collection featuring 100 of the iconic publisher’s most popular arcade and Atari 2600 games. Now, with the advent of VR, Atari will franchise its assets for television audiences.