Atari Launches New Site With Digital Downloads, Free Online Games

Atari has relaunched its Atari.com property with the ability to buy their published titles directly from them in digital download form.  Hits include Champions Online, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum and the Neverwinter Nights series.  Games can also be purchased in physical format and shipped to the customer.

After closer inspection it looks like Atari has bypassed the major digital distribution platforms and has opted for Digital River to handle its digital products.  We wonder if Digital River will make more of an in with the core digital distribution market online having enjoyed a long history of online software sales and numerous acquisition of competing digital delivery providers such as RegNow, eSellerate, and Element 5.

Additionally, you can now play some classic arcade games for free through your web browser on Atari.com.  Asteroids, Battlezone, Lunar Lander, and Yar’s Revenge are among the few titles offered.

The launch coincides with Atari’s plans to focus more intently on its online business.