Atari has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Thunderful Group, the Swedish gaming company renowned for the popular SteamWorld series. This strategic move involves Atari purchasing 82% of Thunderful`s shares in a deal valued at approximately $5.18 million.
Wade Rosen, CEO and chairman of Atari, stated that this transaction represents a significant milestone for Atari, expanding its publishing and development footprint in the European region. Rosen expressed confidence in Thunderful`s ability to return to profitable growth following its announced transformation plan, emphasizing the quality and dedication of Thunderful`s teams. He believes this will also contribute to the further development of Atari`s operations in Europe.
Thunderful has recently navigated challenging financial waters. In 2024, the company implemented a workforce reduction of approximately 20% and initiated a restructuring process. Adding to these difficulties, the recent release of their game, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, performed “weaker” than anticipated in terms of sales. As a result, Thunderful has disclosed plans for another round of restructuring aimed at improving its cash flow.
Conversely, Atari has been highly active in the market over the past couple of years, making several notable acquisitions. These include remastering specialists such as Nightdive Studios and Digital Eclipse, the latter known for titles like *Atari 50* and *System Shock 2 Anniversary Remaster*. Atari has also recently secured the intellectual property rights for the classic *Transport Tycoon* and even acquired its long-time rival, Intellivision, demonstrating a clear strategy of expanding its portfolio and market presence.