*By Christian Smith*
Classic video game maker Atari is leaving its retro console past behind and embracing esports with a new plan to make head-to-head editions of its most iconic franchises, said the CEO, Frédéric Chesnais.
"You're going to have games where you can play Pong against somebody else just on the phone," Chesnais said Wednesday in an interview on Cheddar.
In April, Atari ($ATAR.PA) announced a partnership with Bayside Games, granting the company exclusive rights to develop "player-versus-player" and "physical skill"-based Atari titles.
The company's push to expand its mobile gaming options comes just five years after its American arm filed for bankruptcy, at which point Chesnais ー who departed the company in 2007 ー returned to the helm to "right the ship."
Now, the French firm is reclaiming its territory in the U.S.
The company announced Wednesday it would be listed on the Nasdaq International's U.S. OTC market, which Chesnais said will make it easier for U.S. investors to buy shares in the company. Atari stock will still trade on the Euronext Paris market.
Atari first rose to prominence in the late 70s and 80s, thanks to games and franchises like "Pong," "Asteroids," and "Centipede."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/atari-ceo-on-the-companys-growth-strategy-just-a-few-years-after-filing-for-bankruptcy).
As inflation-weary consumers cut back on dining out, brands like McDonald’s are relying more heavily on celebrity and influencer endorsements to move the needle
Plus, Starbucks reported its first quarter of declining sales and earnings since the pandemic, Biden tries to tackle the national debt and Warren Buffett is set to host the annual meeting of his investment firm Berkshire Hathaway.
