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Atari Partners With Coinbase To Bring Classic Games To Blockchain
Atari, a legendary name in the gaming industry, has announced a partnership with Coinbase to bring its classic games, Asteroids and Breakout, to the blockchain. This partnership will be part of Onchain Summer and the new Onchain Arcade, allowing players to compete for leaderboard positions and earn rewards. Proceeds from the creation of these games will go directly to the creators involved in their development.
Tackling Modern Internet Challenges
Atari and Coinbase have emphasized the need for an upgrade of today’s internet, criticizing the current corporate internet for imposing arbitrary rules, censorship, digital theft, middlemen, and transaction fees. To address these issues, they have partnered with Stack and several creators to launch Onchain Arcade. This initiative will bring beloved Atari classics to the blockchain, giving gamers a new way to interact with these games.
Tyler Drewitz, director of Atari Club and Atari X, explained that Coinbase, with over 100 million users for its cryptocurrency wallets and services, has been a significant player in the blockchain space. Atari has also been involved in blockchain and cryptocurrency for some time, with former CEO Fred Chesnais spearheading several initiatives. While Atari pulled out of some of its blockchain projects after Chesnais’ departure in 2021, the company re-entered the space with Web3 projects in partnership with The Sandbox and Polycade in 2022.
Reinventing the Atari Club with Web3
Drewitz said Web3 aligns well with Atari’s mission to reward and engage its community. The new Atari Club, inspired by the 1980s version, aims to provide a native and enjoyable way for people to interact with the Atari brand. He noted the success of last year’s Onchain Summer event and expressed excitement about continuing the partnership this year. The partnership ensures that game sales are fairly distributed to creators, addressing the issue of creators receiving only a small share of the revenue from their content.
Onchain Arcade and SPARKLET Token Launch
Gamers can now relive their childhood memories with Atari classics in the new Onchain Arcade. They can compete for leaderboard positions and earn exciting prizes like Atari 2600+, swag, game codes and more. Weekly prizes will be available until August 30. Drewitz noted that Atari has been known for its innovation in gaming for over 50 years and that its early adoption of Web3 technology continues that tradition. He mentioned that blockchain technology has allowed Atari to engage with its community in a variety of ways, from collaborating on new products to creating competitive leaderboards.
Players can mint each game, play, and compete for a spot on the onchain leaderboards for Asteroids and Breakout. To participate, players must visit a link, log in or create a cryptocurrency wallet, mint the game for $5, and work toward a high leaderboard placement to win prizes. Onchain Summer offers special mints, unique experiences, and a loyalty game that rewards players with free onchain avatars, prizes, and more.
Encouraging Creativity Onchain
Atari and Coinbase are encouraging everyone to be a builder in the onchain space. Onchain technology allows anyone to create onchain experiences and get paid directly whenever someone mints their work. Players can explore the latest and previous drops, including collaborations with brands like Adidas, Team Liquid, and Doodles, on the Onchain Summer page.
Drewitz explained that Asteroids and Breakout were chosen for their accessibility and potential to foster competition on leaderboards. He described Atari’s approach as “blockchain light,” with a focus on Base, making it easy for players to purchase games with a credit card. He noted that public acceptance of blockchain has evolved as more meaningful and interactive experiences have become available on the blockchain.
Coinbase’s Base platform plays a crucial role in Atari’s strategy. Drewitz praised Coinbase’s efforts to onboard users and demonstrate the value of blockchain technology. He emphasized that the goal is to create high-quality products that make blockchain accessible and enjoyable. Interoperability has also improved, making it easier to play and transact across different types of Web3 games and integrate with Web2 platforms.
Drewitz expressed hope that Atari can help demystify Web3, making it safe and enjoyable for users. He acknowledged Coinbase’s role in promoting accessible and enjoyable blockchain experiences, highlighting the positive impact of Onchain Summer. Gamers will benefit from blockchain purchases through exclusive items and Easter eggs, enhancing their gaming experience. Atari’s summer camp, inspired by old Atari computer games from the 1980s, aims to provide retro experiences for gamers.
This partnership between Atari and Coinbase marks a significant step in integrating classic games with modern blockchain technology, offering gamers a new and immersive way to interact with Atari’s iconic titles.