LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliance Gaming Corp.
(NYSE: AGI) and Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) announced today a licensing
agreement to develop a series of slot machines based on classic titles from
Atari's extensive video game library.
Under the agreement between Bally Gaming and Systems, a business unit of
Alliance Gaming, and Atari Interactive, Inc., an Atari affiliate, slot
machines based on Atari titles are under development, with the first -- based
on PONG(R) -- scheduled to debut at the upcoming Global Gaming Expo in Las
Vegas on Oct. 5-7, 2004 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
In addition to PONG, the deal includes other well-known Atari classics
such as Asteroids(R), Centipede(R) and Breakout(R).
Credited with creating both a new home entertainment and video arcade
craze in the mid-1970s, Atari and its game titles have become synonymous to an
entire generation of video gaming enthusiasts who were initially captivated by
a simple game of electronic tennis. The millions of teenagers and youngsters
who grew up playing Atari games are now middle-aged adults, the prime
demographic profile of slot machine players today.
"Titles such as PONG and Asteroids evoke such a strong favorable response
with gamers of all types and we're excited to team up with Atari to produce a
series of slots that will showcase these timeless classics and give casino
visitors a memorable new form of entertainment," said Richard Haddrill,
incoming President and Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Gaming Corp.
"There is a huge population that grew up with these Atari games and that
audience is still clamoring for ways to recapture the fun of their first
gaming experience," said Wim Stocks, Executive Vice President of Sales and
Marketing for Atari. "Atari is committed to ensuring that fans of our classic
games have access to them wherever and however they seek entertainment. By
joining forces with Alliance and Bally, we know that we'll reach a large
audience of gaming devotees."
Bally Gaming's display of the Atari PONG slot machine at the Global Gaming
Expo will mark the debut of Bally's new dual-screen M9000 cabinet powered by
the company's next-generation Game Maker(R) II operating system. The PONG
slot machine will include a skill element that will allow players to use a
traditional game paddle to play a game of PONG against the computer during the
bonus round.
Alliance Gaming is a diversified gaming company with headquarters in Las
Vegas. The Company is engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and
operation of advanced gaming devices and systems worldwide and owns and
operates Rainbow Casino in Vicksburg, Miss. Additional information about the
Company can be found at http://www.alliancegaming.com.
New York-based Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) develops interactive games for
all platforms and is one of the largest third-party publishers of interactive
entertainment software in the U.S. The Company's 1,000+ titles include
hard-core, genre-defining games such as DRIV3R(TM), Enter the Matrix(TM),
Neverwinter Nights(TM), Stuntman(TM), Test Drive(R), Unreal(R) Tournament
2004, and Unreal(R) Championship; and mass-market and children's games such as
Backyard Sports(TM), Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues(TM) and Dora the Explorer(TM),
Civilization(R), Dragon Ball Z(R) and RollerCoaster Tycoon(R). Atari, Inc. is
a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames Entertainment SA
(Euronext - ISIN: FR-0000052573), the largest interactive games publisher in
Europe. For more information, visit http://www.atari.com.
This news release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is subject to the safe
harbor created thereby. Such information involves important risks and
uncertainties that could significantly affect the results in the future and,
accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-
looking statements. Future operating results may be adversely affected as a
result of a number of risks that are detailed from time to time in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- ALLIANCE GAMING CORP. -
PONG, ASTEROIDS, CENTIPEDE, BREAKOUT and ATARI names and logos are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari Interactive, Inc. or its
affiliates. Used with permission. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
Investor and Media Contact: Robert L. Saxton
Alliance Gaming
(702) 270-7600
SOURCE Alliance Gaming Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.atari.com
http://www.alliancegaming.com
CONTACT:
Investors and Media, Robert L. Saxton of
Alliance Gaming, +1-702-270-7600
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