Atari Acquires Game Company for Over $5 Million

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Atari has agreed on a deal worth more than $5 million that will make them the major shareholder of Thunderful Group AB, a Swedish company that owns multiple video game development studios and publishers. This strategic move allows Atari to control popular games and franchises such as “Lost in Random” series and the “SteamWorld” collection.

Back in 2017, Thunderful, a company I’m deeply fond of, was established as the umbrella for two independent game developers: Zoink and Image & Form. Zoink, which emerged in 2010 with a couple of Nintendo Wii titles like “The Kore Gang” and “WeeWaa”, truly shone with its most successful project to date – the dice-based combat action-adventure game “Lost in Random” from 2021. Image & Form, on the other hand, has been around since 1997, initially focusing on web-based gaming. However, it found its rhythm in 2010 with the launch of “SteamWorld Tower Defense”.

According to a recent statement from Atari, they have agreed to a subscription with Thunderful that could lead to the acquisition of about 82% of their remaining shares for approximately 50 million Swedish krona, which is roughly $5.17 million USD. This takeover is subject to approval by Thunderful’s shareholders at an upcoming meeting in late August. Atari’s chairman and CEO, Wade Rosen, suggests that this deal aims to strengthen Atari’s presence in the European gaming market. This move would be another significant step for Rosen, who was also involved in the acquisition of ’80s competitor Intellivision by Atari in 2024.

Atari is Poised to Acquire Some Popular Video Game IPs

If the business transaction is completed successfully, it means Atari will gain ownership of approximately 20 distinct video game franchises, including notable titles like “Lost in Random”, “Islanders” by Coatsink, “Vampire’s Fall” from Early Morning Studio, and the versatile “SteamWorld” series. Out of these options, “Lost in Random” is creating a significant buzz in the gaming industry at present. Its latest release, “Lost in Random: The Eternal Die”, hit the market on June 17. This game has received high praise on Steam, with an impressive 86% approval rating from user reviews, and its launch as a day-one title on Xbox Game Pass has undoubtedly boosted its exposure.

The proposed acquisition is intended to trigger internal changes within Thunderful, primarily focusing on boosting cash flow and streamlining development and distribution processes. Although not as widely recognized as some other significant game companies, Atari has been strategically maneuvering its business over the last few years to broaden its scope. Last year, barely a month after its partnership with Intellivsion, Atari acquired the Surgeon Simulator series from tinyBuild via its Infogrames publishing division. Furthermore, it has been proactive in launching contemporary consoles that are compatible with its retro game library.

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2025-07-29 17:42