Atari has signed a deal with Universal Pictures to develop 10 film projects based on its classic games, as publishers continue to transform recognisable gaming properties into wider entertainment brands.
Atari is heading back to the big screen.
The legendary games company has announced a new partnership with Universal Pictures to develop films based on 10 of its classic game franchises, marking another major step in the growing trend of video game publishers expanding into film and television.
While the full list of projects hasn't been confirmed, reports suggest iconic Atari properties such as Pong, Breakout, and Centipede are among the games being considered for adaptation.
On paper, some of those choices may seem surprising. Unlike modern story-driven games, many of Atari's biggest classics feature little or no narrative, meaning filmmakers will have considerable creative freedom when bringing them to life.
However, that's also part of the appeal.
Recent years have shown that successful adaptations don't necessarily require games with established stories. Films and television series such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, Fallout, and A Minecraft Movie have demonstrated that recognisable worlds and characters can be enough to build compelling entertainment beyond gaming.
Games with limited established lore can give filmmakers more creative flexibility, allowing them to build new characters, stories, and worlds around a familiar name rather than adapting a fixed narrative.
Atari's agreement with Universal also reflects a wider industry trend.
More publishers are embracing transmedia strategies, expanding their intellectual properties across multiple forms of entertainment rather than limiting them to games alone.
Alongside films and television, companies are increasingly investing in novels, comics, animation, live events, and merchandise to keep their franchises growing between game releases.
Breakout and Centipede are among the classic Atari properties reportedly being considered for film adaptations.
For Atari, whose library includes some of the most influential titles in gaming history, the partnership offers an opportunity to introduce classic franchises to an entirely new generation.
Of course, with no casting, release dates, or production timelines announced, there's still a long road ahead before audiences see the first of these adaptations.
But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: as Hollywood's appetite for video game adaptations continues to grow, publishers are no longer just making games - they're building entertainment brands.
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