New Atari brand is a magnet for talent, says Gardner

Following Phil Harrison's appointment as president of Infogrames, CEO David Gardner has described the company's new business model as a "magnet" for talent.

Speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz about the high-profile signing, Gardner said that the newly-assembled team will help Infogrames build a strong future around the Atari brand.

"I have to say there is a lot of excitement around this mission that we're talking about, the brand and the people we're talking about — there is a bit of a magnet around us," said Gardner.

"In terms of European leaders in the games development industry, I've always wanted to work with Phil.

"He's going to partner with me to build the future. He'll be the most senior guy responsible for all the content and network-centric material, all the investments that we make in games," he added.

The refocused company intends to target the online space and is keen to try out a number of new business models in the market.

Gardner said that with the right mix of staff — veterans and fresh talent — the company could be confident of taking calculated risks to bring the Atari name back as a credible brand following years of poor performance.

"It's a perfect way for us to really realise that dream we're talking about. We have to make bets and nothing is for sure, but I think that the odds are in our favour now.

"We need to bring in a blend of older guys that know what they are doing and new guys that have the smarts and the inventive ideas to also take us forward," he detailed.

He would not rule out the possibility that more industry veterans would join the reinvigorated company, but he did say that there were no immediate signings to be unveiled in the near future.

"We're not deliberately trying to rip people out of their company roles," he said.

A full interview with David Gardner, where he discusses the new Infogrames business model, can be read here.