Infogrames! Respect to you, I've seen that brand come along a couple of times during my childhood!

Now just make Atari a PS3 exclusive publisher... :)

hezz05

Congrats, Infogrames!

also... they still exist? :o
apparently...

fuchikoma

Wait, which games did Infrogrames do? I've heard the name before...

KM91

Wow, he's obviously gotta know something utterly amazing we all don't about Atari's plans, man, this is gonna be huge, I'm sure. I'd bet this has likely been in negotiations for quite some time, and it would be interesting to look back on his comments from, say, the past 2 months or so, to try and gain some kind of insight into what we could maybe expect to see. I don't have time to do that, but I'm sure someone will, and I'll read it then :)

btw, I hope this newfound claim of focusing on online does turns out, and maybe I could eventually have a halfway decent battle on DBZBT3!

CruiseElroy

Good luck Phil we will miss you, yet wish you well in your new endeavours!

Witzbold

Maybe Phil got the Ken Kutaragi treatment and decided that INFOGRAMES was better than nothing.

phextin

@dowingba: I think saying Sony are "in trouble" is fair. Compared to where the PS2 ended and where the PS3 started/is now should be enough, no? I don't mean "in trouble" in the sense that they have any huge profitability issues (the other Sony divisions movies, music, etc. more than make up for the games division).

But I would have defined Nintendo as "in trouble" after the N64 launch, going from the SNES, and that would be fair as well, right? Not trying to fanboy, not me! Little Big Planet looks to be about the coolest thing ever.

Smash_Bro

I hope the money's worth it Phil, because you are officially.........IRRELEVANT. Time to direct all venom and hatred at Kaz Hirai and Jack Treton solely.

Gagamus

*LOL* @ "Heck, I'd be Directeur Général Délégué for Infogrames just for the business cards."

Me too! I'd be sure to put on the most stank accent as I say the job role too and be sure to have on a tweed blazer with a crimson leather glove hanging out of a side pocket. I think Phil should go one better and change his name to Phillipé Harrison (surname pronounced Ha-ray-sawn). Just to give it some extra flick.

:D

Random J

"Welcome to Atari, Phil. Grab a bucket." Ha ha!

I'm curious to see if his ideas will gather more traction with the French than they did with the Japanese. I'm not too familiar with the "social gaming" scene in France, so this will be interesting.

boopadoo

Infogrames is where good games go to die (though Parallel Lines was a sign of a pulse.)

In this hack-and-slash business of gaming competition, Phil's been taught that for all your hard work, one wrong sentence can send you spiralling.

Frank

I think Phil wants the challenge. Atari's not in a very good spot ATM, due to their crappy games, etc. So if Phil manages to save them, he'll make a huge impact and give even more reason so be recognized as one of the greatest minds in the industry.

dgonchild

Congratulations Phil! Now, to institute a great turnaround and progress in online play, use the pending Dragonball Z: Burst Limit videogame as an platform of things to come from Atari!

A game with this type of fanbase and gloss is bound to get a lot of looks. Good luck Phil. What am I saying? You won't even need it.

bluemanrule

@ca$h:

Also, they made Shadow of the Beast and Destruction Derby too.

Marlor

Um... congratulations?

big_world

President and "Directeur Général Délégué" of Infogrames.

How about we just call him "General Deluge"?

Because that would be an awesome name.

V1L3

Not to big for Phil but huge for Atari. I'm SUPER excited! >.<

dadeisvenm

Well he is no Jeff Bell, but he's pretty good at what he does :P

Xer0Ph0kus

@LeLoi: Not gonna happen. If Sony canned him, I doubt there's much 'loyalty' to the platform. If they didn't, it's still not the best choice of a platform for them to start out on, unless they're going the PSN/XBL/WW route. Atari right now needs to be salvaged from the ground up. They need a new structure, they need income, they need sales, and they need to work on their image. For them to be successful, they'll need to develop their name again. Right now, the Atari name is pretty worthless, and the only way they're going to get themselves back on the map is to start smaller. They're going to need to work on making fun gameplay. And they need to bring in sales pronto. Making anything specifically exclusive would be a failure on their part, unless it's something small on one of the download services. If he somehow DOES get them making exclusives... well, expect Atari to continue to be uncared about by gamers as they try to rattle out 'cool' games and fail spectacularly.

Ampillion, now with TV Frank's hairstyle.

@Doshi: What's your point?

dowingba

I laugh at how you guys are all. "Atari is downgrade lol"

May I remind you what Atari is publishing soon?

Cough: [en.wikipedia.org]

Doshi

@big isy: Which are both made by the same developer.

GUNLOC_MORIYM

Anyone wanna bet that Phil is going to try to push Atari to make some PS3 exclusives? :P

LeLoi

Phil Harrison.... Was, a important gaming figure....

Now.... a nobody.

Kotaku_is_Ban_Happy

Poor Phil...

GiantEnemyCrab

Good Luck Phil you will need it. Plus I hope this works out for you.

BlackIceJoe

So much fuss over a suit. Meh!

ErskinPig

With all the stress and flack that Phil has gotten the past two years, he probably decided living past 50 would be better than a couple extra dollars

JohnnyD57333

@ethic: Sounds like a good theory to me. I think that Phil, like his little statement that may/may not have gotten him iced, just didn't like where Sony was going with things. He wanted to see certain things going forward, and I'm guessing the higher ups at HQ didn't. So, why not go somewhere where you'd have the controlling hand of a software company that needs a jumpstart. Guy probably already has several solid gold swimming pools. If he just wanted to sit around and be a Yes Man, he'd probably still be at Sony. He obviously didn't want that, and took the opportunity.

Ampillion, now with TV Frank's hairstyle.

This is a sign from God, methinks. Phil was a hero of mine, and this is a sign telling me that the game industry isn't for me.

bobtheduck

@Marlor:
Don't forget Reflections. Driver 1 was pretty tits back in the day. After that... well... as you said, Infogrames is where good developers go to die.

ca$h

God I hope he doesn't have to learn and function in French from now on. That would suck no matter how much they've paid him.

ca$h

@Smash_Bro: No one will argue Sony had a bit of a rocky start this generation (in comparison to their end last generation) but man to say they're in any sort of "trouble" is really reaching. I suspect a #2 finish for Sony in this console generation. And it won't be like last time...#2 and #3 are going to have a huge gap between them.

dowingba

Oh man that's a kick in the nuts. Who blackballed him so bad he had to settle for Infogrammes?! Ah geeze. I hate to see successful folks all of a sudden work at Infogrammes. My god. He's be better off getting a temp gig at McDonalds. Cooking fries at McDonalds has more of a future in the video game industry than Infogrammes.

dowingba

infowho? Man, what a downgrade! Phil, I hope you will enjoy your new role! Me? I would have stayed on and ensured PS3's success into 2010 and enjoy the spoils. PSN is a tremendous platform for online growth...isn't that what you care about?

Maximus9

If Phil can pull this one off he'll be an even bigger figure in the industry than he is already.

I'd love the Atari name to be honoured again like it once was back in the early 80's. (yeah I'm old)

dcman007

I hope this means a new Independence War video game!

Maybe with an actually usable interface this time...

DannoHung

So, do I mentally file this as "Sony", "P. Harrison", "Infogrames" or "Atari" news? HELP! :(

Seriously though, nothing bad can come of this. Because Atari is already as low as it gets. Infogrames though, are pretty all right. They did some awesome games back then. Gimme some IPs.

Candlejack

phil has set sony on it's way. he probably spearheaded the recent spate of good news, and has left them a list of things to announce and when for the rest of the year - just to make sure.
so now, like a crusader for the weak and vulnerable, he swoops in to rescue infogrames and atari... next it's silicon knights, and then microsoft!!!

comedy

This is really exciting. We (CD Projekt) have been really impressed with David Gardner's approach to his new position, and getting Phil on board gives me even more hope for the future.

EvolveTom

Obviously Phil Harrison appreciates a hardcore challenge! Getting "Atari" profitable again is the businessman's version of beating Battletoads-without continues.

DiscipleofJamzy

Its time for Phil Harrison to save Atari. Good luck Phil, if anyone can do it, its you

Kounji

Hope Phil can help them out. I know Phil Harrison was a huge reason why I payed attention to Sony during the late '06 through mid '07 down time Sony games had. Plus, he was an excellent speaker who's accent just literally mesmerized me (I still recall his '07 GDC keynote).

Still, If Atari/Infogrames can at least get some movie crap and then actual titles people care about (if they're not taken, maybe Infogrames should buyout TreyArc, who've done some of the CoD games) then they should be able to get their act together.

Either way, good luck to Phil and his shiny new title!

GDW1017

Whoah. Either he knows something we don't, or he really, really likes a challenge.

Dragonzigg

Atari has a bright future, if only because once you've hit rock bottom you can only go up :)

meandering_drivel

Oh, and people keep talking about how this is a challenge for Mr. Harrison... but, um? If I recall correctly, he just left Sony, who are not, how we say, in the best of situations.

Not Atari bad, of course, but still.

Smash_Bro

I'm going to find some quotes where Mr. Harrison put down the Wii and/or 360 and casually drop said comments whenever he inevitably praises the same consoles now that he is Directeur Général Délégué of a 3rd party developer.

I suppose I could really do the same for Peter Moore. Yay, homework!

Smash_Bro

Well atleast we get to see Atari rise up out of the ashes and maybe make a few original IPs for once.

And i would also like to know when Home is coming out as i just purchased my PS3 a few days ago just for MGS4 and Home

ArmyofJuan

Infogrames? I didn't even know they were still around. A glance at a Wikipedia entry for them shows a rather large read under the heading "Financial Difficulties".

Maybe not the best move in my opinion...

Adam

Most people scoffed at this possibility when it broke last week at GDC. At this point, I'm just going to assume anything I read on the 'net regarding games, not matter how implausible, is true from now on. =)

aka Bitter

Atari are SOOOOOOO coming back. Test Drive Unlimited, Alone in the Dark and..... and..... shoot.

big isy

he can pretty much get a job anywhere, but this would be interesting

darktorns

And... BOOM! Suddenly, Phil is an utterly irrelevant figure.

NEXT.

Moonshadow101

You all just wait when i said He was moving to EA i forgot to say he was really moving to Infogrames With EA mighty appetite it will consume Infogrames and he will be bought as well.

Allcars

Wasn't Phil's big complaint that the Japanese management didn't "get" Home? Nintendo and Sony both had to be pulled kicking and screaming into doing online games. Quick- name a Japanese-developed game with good online. FFXI? Lost Planet? Nope. Home may die an apathetic death unless Stringer takes up the torch.

TrettOff

You know what would be sad? If Phil got Atari/Infogames back on their feet, only to have it gobbled up by EA in 2 years.

LittleBigPlaneteer

I'd bet alot of money that many people are going to invest in Atari and Infro because of this, their stock is gunna shoot up

Kid-icarus

Lets hope he can help turn Infogrames into something more than a retirement home for previously great developers/publishers.

I mean, look at the companies they have gobbled up:
- Atari
- MicroProse
- Ocean
- Gremlin Interactive
- Accolade
- GT Interactive
- Shiny Entertainment

It's basically half of the great companies I remember from my childhood, yet they are producing bugger all.

If only they hadn't sold off DMA Design/Rockstar and the Civilization franchise to Take Two, they might be in a better position.

Marlor

Atari has been a garbage company for years, I think this is a bad move. I don't believe Phil is capable of making Atari a respectable name again.

DigitalHero

You'll all be eating your words when Atari rises again.

TheToiletDuck

@Barbara: A new Atari console would make a nice twist to the console war.
I wonder if it would have a chance.
Well it would be interesting if another company came out with a console.

Trond

If anyone can save Atari, it'd probably be Phil.

Samos42

Dammit they nerfed my Harrison!

liquid_kore

If he does manage to turn Atari into a leading name again it will definitely confirm him as a legend of the gaming world. Good luck Phil!

1981suede

Usually people go from a sinking company to a successful one, like Peter Moore going from Sega to Microsoft, but Phil is different. He see's this as a huge challenge and I certainly wish him the best!

LittleBigPlaneteer

@Jesus Christ: Between you comment and your pick.... LOL.

brandonf

Infogrames? Atari? Hm.

Well, I'm sure if anyone can take them out of their slump, it's Phil Harrison. Some original new IPs please.

I wonder who Sony will choose to replace his role while it's being temporarily held by Kaz Hirai. I doubt Kaz will be as efficient at maintaining two roles in the long-term.

sascha23

so...DO believe everything you read on the internet?

rec0ded1

@scrawledinwax: Not really weird. These exec types are already set for life financially; I don't really think they're looking for job security. Rebuilding a brand like Atari may be his way of finding a challenge in his work; looking for something to conquer. The more money you have, the less value it holds; it's not as much of a motivator. & stuff or something.

ethic

Atari? Well, someone has to make sure the DBZ fighters keep on coming.

ProfWho

Strange to think that like a week or two ago we were all joking that he might join Atari... well, there we have it. I respect him for doing it though, he obviously loves a challenge. Good Luck Phil! We all know you need it and we believe that you will (some how) succeed.

TheTimeRanger

@Korey: Not a downgrade. Big upgrade. He's probably getting paid a lot more.

Good luck to him. Hopefully he can push Atari in the right direction I'm sure he'll relish the gargantuan challenge.

SPni

WOO HOO!!! Hope ET 2 dropps soon!!!

Mr.SithNinja

poor phil, he's got a tough road ahead

Hope he can keep infrograms going they have been in trouble over the last few years.

niall077

Well I guess after dealing with Kutaragi and Sony Japan for all of those years, saving Infogrames should be a cakewalk for Harrison.

Good luck Phil. Save that company from itself! Many a nostalgic gamer would appreciate it...

stranger

I personally wished he would quit several times over the years after some of the things he's said. But I never wished he'd work at Infogrames. Nobody deserves that.

thebetamax

Maybe Phil Harrison got tired of leading a major power in the video game industry? Either way everyone wins! Atatri gets someone who knows how to make good games that are not named DragonBall Z and Sony gets rid of some silly tall dude with a cool accent. Win-Win right?

chunkydude95

New from Atari:

Pong - the turn-based RPG.

Grimalkin

i respect a man for taking on a Challenge.

oh, and what a Challenge it is...

jgross

Here's to "alone in the dark" being the huge success to put atari back on the map

JakeDunn

New, from Atari! Pong 4000? ...er, I got nothing cool. Hope you come up with some good IPs soon that are attached to good games Phil!

Bellamy

some people love a challenge. here's hoping he'll push atari in the right direction.

Crom

Harrison, you rock. Come back :P

Huxle

That IS a pretty awesome title if I do say so myself.

@Barbara: I'd buy it!

bangbangblah

Way to downgrade

KnaveX

Okay, wat? You leave heading up a group responsible for LBP, Killzone 2, Resistance 2, Motorstorm 2, probably God of War III and a slew of other titles... to rebuild the Atari brand? Maybe there's lots going on behind the scenes that I don't get, but that seems weird to me.

scrawledinwax

Harrison is awesome, good luck at his new job, but i wish he would have stayed with sony, he was the most likeable of the executive types.

kcgig101

Does Kotaku still have Harrison's chewing gum?

If you clone him, I bet you could get a decent price selling the clone back to Sony. That way, both companies get their own Phil!

And Kotaku Tower could probably use a maid.

Peryite

@Korey: downgrade? He'll probably make more money with them than he did with Sony....

Jesus Christ

New Atari console confimred.

Barbara

Oooh sounds like an exciting job. Good luck Phil!

And btw:

WHEN THE FUCK IS HOME COMING OUT???

Jesus Christ

Biggest downgrade ever?

Korey

Good luck to Phil...although personally I think that he was a great asset to Sony and would be better off there. I suppose this won't hurt anyone though.

Sheen_Latrine