The plan to breathe new life into the name comes 30 years after the Atari first came to prominence when it launched the first videogame, 'Pong'. Later, it introduced children to what are now cult classics -- 'Space Invaders', 'Missile Command' and 'Asteroids'.
The change of name at Infogrames, the leading videogame maker in Europe, is effective immediately, with the company's offices around the world, including the UK, taking on the Atari name. In the US, Infogrames will trade as Atari Inc on the Nasdaq exchange under the symbol "ATAR".
The rebirth comes ahead of the games industry's major main event next week, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, where games developers showcase their latest and upcoming games.
Additionally, the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Infogrames Interactive, which develops many of the game derived from the Hasbro line of board games, will change its name to Atari Interactive Inc.
Bruno Bonnell, chairman and CEO of Infogrames, said: "In any language, Atari is synonymous with video games and it is recognised for transforming entertainment. Our industry is now outpacing the Hollywood box office and by choosing Atari as our signature, we are demonstrating our commitment to this growth and our determination to take entertainment to the next level for gamers worldwide."
Prior to the official name change, Infogrames has already begun to use the Atari brand to publish videogames around the world, including 'Terminator: Dawn of Fate' for the PS2 and the long-awaited 'Enter the Matrix' from Shiny Entertainment, which will debut on May 15 to coincide with the launch of the movie 'Matrix Reloaded'.
'Enter the Matrix' is set to stamp a new standard in cinematic tie-in videogames, having been produced by the Wachowski brothers at the same time that they worked on the two 'Matrix' sequels, 'Reloaded' and 'Revolution', the third part of the trilogy opening at cinemas in November.
"It's the perfect moment in our history to make this change. Next week, we'll be launching 'Enter the Matrix', an extraordinary game which has redefined the Hollywood licence, setting a new standard for the convergence of games and films," Bonnell said.
Infogrames bought the Atari name two years ago when it acquired the interactive entertainment business of Hasbro for $100m (拢71.5m). With the name, Infogrames also picked up the Atari back catalogue.
Atari led the home console market in the late 70s and early 80s with its Computer Video System, later rebranded the 2600.
It was owned by Warner, which later sold it on in the Nineties to toymaker Hasbro.
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