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Atari explains why they're turning to crowdfunding for RollerCoaster Tycoon on Switch

by rawmeatcowboy
01 February 2018
GN Version 5.0

As you know, Atari started a StartEngine crowdfunding project to bring RollerCoaster Tycoon to Switch. The campaign was met with a lot of negative attention, as many couldn't understand why Atari was making this move. Days later, we learned that Atari is bringing the game to Switch no matter how well the StartEngine does. So what's up with the crowdfunding and why bother? Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari Game Partners, explained the situation to Polygon.

“From a strategy perspective, as a publisher, we are doing this game. From a financial perspective and cost of capital perspective, it makes sense for Atari to try and test some new sources of funding to see if these sources could be available down the road for more games. ...What's relevant for me is not the percentage of funding. What is relevant for me is, can crowdfunding constitute a source of financing for my portfolio of more than 200 games?”

Now we know why Atari is doing the game no matter what. The StartEngine initiative isn't about hitting a certain goal. It's about bringing in some money to help offset costs, no matter what the amount. Interesting way to do business, and I'm not sure how consumers will feel.

[Link]