Atari Bolsters Gaming Empire with Acquisition

Atari's Infogrames label acquires Surgeon Simulator franchise from tinyBuild. Atari, through its revived Infogrames label, has announced the acquisition of the Surgeon Simulator franchise from tinyBuild. Infogrames, a label focused on expanding Atari's gaming portfolio beyond its core titles, is tasked with overseeing the franchise's future development and distribution. This acquisition marks a significant step in Infogrames' revival, building upon its history as a prominent game developer and distributor in the 80s and 90s.

Infogrames' plans include broadening digital and physical distribution channels, and creating new Surgeon Simulator content, including potential sequels and collections. The label's legacy includes titles like Alone in the Dark, Backyard Baseball, Putt-Putt, and Sonic Advance. The re-emergence of Infogrames follows Atari's 2013 bankruptcy and subsequent restructuring.

The acquisition of Surgeon Simulator, which boasts a unique blend of dark humor and challenging gameplay, is seen as a valuable addition to Infogrames' growing catalog. Geoffroy Châteauvieux, Infogrames Manager, highlighted the franchise's enduring popularity and the opportunity to further its success. This follows the April 2024 acquisition of Totally Reliable Delivery Service, further bolstering Infogrames' resurgence.

Atari Acquires Surgeon Simulator

Surgeon Simulator, initially released in 2013, features the hilariously inept surgeon Nigel Burke and his patient, "Bob." The game's popularity stems from its darkly comedic approach to surgery, expanding across various platforms including PC, Mac, iOS, Android, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. The franchise also includes a VR version and the cooperative Surgeon Simulator CPR. A sequel, Surgeon Simulator 2, was released in 2020 and 2021 for PC and Xbox respectively. The acquisition comes after Bossa Studios, the original developer, underwent staff reductions in late 2023, and tinyBuild acquired several of its IPs in 2022. Atari's acquisition aims to build upon the established success of the Surgeon Simulator franchise.