Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 05:52:44 -0600
From: The Lamberts <unicorn@NOSPAM!.ibm.net>
Organization: The Enchanted Forest
X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0Gold (Win95; U)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit,comp.sys.atari.advocacy,comp.sys.atari.programmer,comp.sys.atari.st,rec.games.video.atari
Subject: Re: Hasbro/Atari Speculations/Fantasies
References: <6e6vfq$pv2$2@gte1.gte.net> <3506DA34.FB7D3F06@aol.com> <6e6ol5$pn3$1@uuneo.neosoft.com> <7cCN.103$hW6.99365@newsgate.direct.ca> <6e9mh1$i4a@james.hwcn.org> <6ea93r$hc2$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com> <350a37df.1748172@news.jagunet.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.37.210.153
Message-ID: <350a6fd0.0@news1.ibm.net>
X-Trace: 14 Mar 1998 11:53:52 GMT, 129.37.210.153
Lines: 49
X-Notice: Items posted that violate the IBM.NET Acceptable Use Policy
X-Notice: or otherwise violate the IBM.NET Terms of Service
X-Notice: should be forwarded in their entirety to postmaster@ibm.net
Path: news1.isdnet.net!newsfeed.nacamar.de!news-peer.gip.net!news.gsl.net!gip.net!newsm.ibm.net!ibm.net!news1.ibm.net!129.37.210.153
Xref: news1.isdnet.net comp.sys.atari.8bit:55846 comp.sys.atari.advocacy:9611 comp.sys.atari.programmer:6606 comp.sys.atari.st:68236 rec.games.video.atari:97167

Rob Merritt wrote:
> Atari is dead. It died when JTS merged with it. The question is, will
> a new company called Atari, with the spirt of old, will come into
> being. The worse thing that will happen is that the Atari name and
> some old Atari games will come out in new updated software titles.
> Hasbro isn't a stupid little company.

The problem with everyone's speculations as to whether or not "Atari"
can rise from the ashes is...public perception.  I spent 13 years as a
video game/computer software store manager.  Up until a year and 1/2
ago.  Problem is that right now the public, by and large, perceive
the company called "Atari" (and they DON'T know the difference 
between Midway's Atari and Hasbro's Atari!) is for the most part a
has-been company.  An outfit that makes sucky products that are
now being cleared out for $50 per console at a toy store chain.  A
company that used to be cool, but can no longer cut the mustard.

Obviously, NOT MY OPINION.  But, realistically, the opinion of the
vast majority of folks who spend $$$$$'s out there, and aren't "in
the know".  Mention Atari to anyone who owns a PSX or N64, and they
start talking about the VCS they have in their attic.  They would
not dream that you  could be talking about anything after that!

Obviously, for the name "ATARI" to become a powerhouse name once
more, it will take more than a cook, killer console.  It will take
lots of well-done PR, probably in "stealth" mode (the public can't
be aware that they're trying to have their hearts won back over to
the name once more).  Part of me thinks it will be much, MUCH easier
to turn a new, different name into a powerhouse than it will be to
find a way to rehabilitate the public's opinion's of an outfit
called "Atari".

No, Hasbro will do much better pushing the trademarks of the GAMES
that have names that folks fondly remember: Centipede, Warlords,
Asteroids, etc.  Even Yar's Revenge (which started life as a Star
Castle home version) is still held in high regard with many folks
going down memory lane.  New versions or collections with these 
have a much better chance of making back the 5 mill that Hasbro
spent, IMHO.  Unless the public starts getting tired of the new
90's versions of old games.  How far can that go, exactly?

DAVE
-- 
         _ /        =======   ======     ==      ==
   ____~//\    _      ===     ==  ===    = ==  == =
~~(______)    / \     ===     =====      ==  ==  == 
~  \ \ \ \   / a_\    ===     ==  ===    ==      == .NET
~  / / / /   \___   =======   ======     ==      == 
unicorn AT ibm DOT net   DAVID/STEPHANIE/STEPHEN LAMBERT
.
