Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million
pcgamer.comThe website MobyGames was launched in 1999, the intention being to create a huge videogame database via crowdsourcing—a goal that it has certainly achieved, being one of the most useful repositories of things like game credits and box art there is. In November last year, Atari announced a potential deal to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million from owner Antstream, and this deal has now been completed.
«The MobyGames community has played a sustained and important role in the documentation, celebration and preservation of video games and supporting MobyGames allows us to give back to the community, and contribute to its growth and success,» Atari CEO Wade Rosen said in a press release announcing the acquisition. «It’s important to Atari that MobyGames retains every bit of its integrity, and we’re committed to supporting the site in ways that improve the experience for both contributors and users.»
Jeremiah Freyholtz, who's been running MobyGames since 2013, remains in his role. «In Atari, MobyGames has found a partner that will provide the investment and support we need to complete long-planned site improvements,» said Freyholtz. «I am confident this transition will allow MobyGames to remain an important community-driven project, and that Atari’s involvement best positions us for long-term stability and success.»
In a separate announcement on the MobyGames site, Freyholtz added that «Atari understands how important our project is for the gaming community and they’re well aligned with our plans to improve the database and tools. In fact, Atari’s new CEO is a retro gamer/collector and long time fan of the site!»
As for the promised improvements to MobyGames' functionality: «We will now be investing in full-time development
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