Bellevue, Wash.-based game publisher tinyBuild has recently sold the rights to Totally Reliable Delivery Service (TRDS) to the French corporation Atari. Developed by We’re Five Games in Minneapolis, TRDS is a chaotic party game for up to four players that was originally published by tinyBuild for PC, console, and mobile in 2020. Following the sale of TRDS, tinyBuild also acquired We’re Five Games in February 2021, indicating a shift in their focus.
In an unusual deal, tinyBuild sold the trademark and rights to TRDS to Atari but retained ownership of We’re Five Games. The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed by either company. Atari intends to use TRDS as the first game published under its new Infogrames imprint, reviving a legacy brand that was founded in 1983 and known for publishing cult-classic games such as Alone in the Dark, Outcast, and Master of Orion III.
Atari’s CEO, Wade Rosen, expressed excitement about bringing back the Infogrames brand, highlighting the company’s history as a publisher and developer of diverse and innovative games. The Infogrames label plans to continue building its portfolio through acquisitions, possibly reintroducing some of the games that were popular in the ’80s and ’90s. Despite the rebranding to Atari, Inc. in 2003, the current company is actually a descendant of the original Infogrames, demonstrating its enduring legacy in the gaming industry.
Atari is well-known for its Atari VCS video game console, which features a lineup of classic, reimagined, and reinvented Atari games. The latest release, Lunar Lander: Beyond, is a sequel to the 1979 arcade game that launched on all modern platforms. In addition to TRDS, Atari has also acquired Nightdive Studios, a developer based in Vancouver. The new Infogrames label is expected to focus on publishing games that are outside the core IP associated with the Atari brand, emphasizing game preservation initiatives.
Overall, the sale of TRDS to Atari represents a strategic move by tinyBuild to refocus its efforts on game development and acquisition. Atari’s revival of the Infogrames brand signals a return to its roots as a pioneering publisher and developer in the gaming industry. With plans to build a diverse portfolio of games and preserve gaming history, the new Infogrames label is poised to make a significant impact on the industry. As Atari continues to expand its offerings and partnerships, gamers can look forward to a fresh lineup of innovative and nostalgic gaming experiences.
