Powerful new entrants for the social casino sector

Atari, an internationally respected publisher and producer of interactive entertainment, and FlowPlay, a specialist in virtual world games and technology, announced Thursday a strategic partnership to develop Atari Casino, a premier social casino gaming platform.

FlowPlay will provide the back-end infrastructure, analytics, payment systems and in-game advertising integrations necessary to provide a first class interactive experience for social casino games delivered online, on Facebook, or via iOS and Android devices.

The scheduled launch date is fall 2014, when Atari Casino will extend some of the company’s most noteworthy brands, including Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, and Missile Command to classic casino games like slots, poker, and blackjack.

Atari has ambitions to expand its offerings beyond console gaming, and by entering into the partnership, it will tap into the expanding social casino market opportunity. More than 170 million people, or 2.5 percent of the world’s population, play casino-style social games online each month, according to analyst Morgan Stanley.

“Atari is an iconic brand synonymous with fun and interactive entertainment,” said Fred Chesnais, CEO Atari, Inc. “Entering social casino gaming is a logical next step for us given its appeal across multiple generations and its natural fit with the casual audience.”

“From traditional land-based casinos to casual gaming giants, the competition is high. Expertise and differentiation are critical,” said Derrick Morton, chief executive of FlowPlay. “We’re looking forward to the success of Atari Casino.”

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