Atari taps Polycade to update its game for the modern era

The Future. In collaboration with Web3 arcade-gaming startup Polycade, Atari recently announced that some of its classic games — including Asteroids, Pong, and Missile Command — are getting a reskin (redesign) by renowned visual artists. They’ll be sold as NFTs that can be played both online and on physical arcade consoles around the country. Ultimately, the updated games could usher in an era where public machines could allow for personalized experiences via the blockchain.

Asteroids 2022
Atari is moving from the arcade to Web3 with the help of Polycade.

• VentureBeat reports that for Atari’s 50th anniversary, 12 of its arcade games will be redesigned by 12 visual artists —  it’ll cover everything from graphics to backgrounds to other playable elements.
• The “Polycade Limiteds” will be available in three tiers of “Digital Cartridge” NFTs — 1,000 copies of the Artist edition, 10 copies of the Silver edition, and one copy of the Gold edition (which includes a uniquely-designed arcade console).
• Owners will be able to play the games on Polycade’s website, Polycade downloadable software, and on all public Polycade arcade machines.

The first game to get the Polycade Limiteds treatment, Asteroids, is reskinned by artist Shantell Martin, who is known for her “large-scale, black-and-white line drawings.” The registration for its NFT sale ends today.

Community controller
One of the coolest aspects of Polycade Limited’s Digital Cartridges is that they’re portable — not just within the blockchain but within Polycade’s ecosystem of physical arcades as well. All NFT holders have to do is log in on the machine and get going.

That capability is a key aspect of Polycade’s mission to marry modern gaming with the social experience of a classic arcade. The company has about 1,000 machines out in the world, mostly at bars and restaurants.

Considering that Polycade was founded by CEO Tyler Bushnell, who’s the son of Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, it seems like a natural and welcome update to the legacy.