Atari, Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios under which Atari will be the exclusive U.S. jewel case distributor for select Windows titles developed by Microsoft Game Studios.
Under the terms of the agreement, which extends through June 2006, Atari will republish and distribute jewel case versions of several best-selling Microsoft Game Studios titles, including: Age of Empires -- Gold Edition, Microsoft Flight Simulator"98, Links LS 2000, Combat Flight Simulator -- WWII Europe Series, Pandora"s Box, Bicycle Casino, Bicycle Card Games, Bicycle Board Games, Crimson Skies, Starlancer and Pinball Arcade.
"We"re delighted to expand our relationship with Microsoft Game Studios in this manner and to add this group of products to our distribution line-up," said Ezra Chen, Vice President, Product Acquisition for Atari, Inc. "The combination of Microsoft"s strong titles with Atari"s distribution network should yield great results for both companies."
"Atari"s widespread distribution allows us to extend the lifecycle of great products, giving consumers additional opportunities to experience some of the industry"s strongest franchises," said Ed Ventura, Director, Microsoft Game Studios. "We recognize the importance and the potential of the value-priced games category, and Atari is the ideal partner to offer our games in the U.S. market."