Phil Harrison Confirmed as Atari President
Former Sony PlayStation executive goes French.
As we suggested back on February 25th, Phil Harrison has indeed popped up at Atari - as its president no less having resigned the same role at SCE World Wide Studios. He has also been appointed to the board of parent company Infogrames.
According to Infogrames, "Phil Harrison will oversee the Studios and content development for the group. Phil will be in charge of boosting the Group's publishing activities, notably through reinforcing its franchise portfolio of products, developing its new packaged and online games, and strengthening its internal and external studio capability through attracting world-class design and development talent to the organisation."
Says Mr Phil Harrison:
The key in the press released text is obviously the words "network game and community experiences". At Sony, Harrison would have been very much concerned with the PlayStation brands forthcoming 'Home' online social network. So, does this mean that boxed games from Atari are going to be a thing of the past?
You can read the official story right here.
According to Infogrames, "Phil Harrison will oversee the Studios and content development for the group. Phil will be in charge of boosting the Group's publishing activities, notably through reinforcing its franchise portfolio of products, developing its new packaged and online games, and strengthening its internal and external studio capability through attracting world-class design and development talent to the organisation."
Says Mr Phil Harrison:
"This is the perfect time to join Infogrames and help shape the future of Atari - one of the industry's legendary brands. As the game business moves rapidly online I believe we have an outstanding opportunity to create amazing network game and community experiences for players the world over. I am especially excited to be working on this challenge together with David (Gardner - Atari and Infogrames' CEO), one of the most respected leaders and successful executives in our industry."
The key in the press released text is obviously the words "network game and community experiences". At Sony, Harrison would have been very much concerned with the PlayStation brands forthcoming 'Home' online social network. So, does this mean that boxed games from Atari are going to be a thing of the past?
You can read the official story right here.
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Comments
Daemon 4 Mar 2008 11:32
1/6
I might be over-simplifying things, but this seems like a bit of a downwards step for Mr. Harrison.
By the way, who is the mysterious "David"? Does he have but one name, like Cher and Grimlock?
By the way, who is the mysterious "David"? Does he have but one name, like Cher and Grimlock?
TimSpong 4 Mar 2008 12:00
2/6
Daemon wrote:
By the way, who is the mysterious "David"? Does he have but one name, like Cher and Grimlock?
Damned good call. I have slaughtered the writer responsible by slow strangulation with my Bristol Rovers (1991 - Roman Glass sponsored) soccer-ball shirt.
Cheers
Tim
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SuperSaiyan4 4 Mar 2008 12:04
3/6
Phil Harrison is one of the retarded Trio from Sony no doubt he will definently be the end of Atari cant wait!
Dreadknux 4 Mar 2008 13:26
4/6
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
Phil Harrison is one of the retarded Trio from Sony no doubt he will definently be the end of Atari cant wait!
Can't have been that bad if he helped lead PlayStation2 to achieve as many sales as it has, along with some quality games to back it up with.
Sure, he's had a bit of a s**t last 12 months, but so have Sony.
Even though I disliked Sony some years ago when he was making waves, he still had a charismatic air about him. Probably because he was a Brit and dammit that means something to us patriots!
I'll miss his rubber duckies.
Horatio 4 Mar 2008 13:28
5/6
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
Phil Harrison is one of the retarded Trio from Sony no doubt he will definently be the end of Atari cant wait!
Good lord, what utter nonsense. In comparison to you SS4, Phil is a god-like figure :-) And what did Atari ever do to you? Oh wait, you probably had a Lynx when everyone at school had a Gameboy. You're not still bitter about that are you?
Spong - are you sure that SS4 messages aren't written by a bot to spark controversy?
To the story, I'm quite impressed with the move by PH - I agree with the 1st post that this does *appear* to be a downward step for him though, he had one of the most prestigious jobs available and now he is involved in a company that could very easily implode within weeks or months.
I say he must have his reasons though and I wish him, and Atari, good luck.
TimSpong 4 Mar 2008 13:36
6/6
Horatio wrote:
Spong - are you sure that SS4 messages aren't written by a bot to spark controversy?
I can absolutely swear on my copy of Sensible Soccer (Amiga) that SS4 is NOT such a bot. In fact, I don't even think he sparks controversy - more ennui if truth be told.
Cheers
Tim