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 collaboration will be part of Onchain Summer and the new Onchain Arcade, allowing players to compete for leaderboard positions and earn rewards. Proceeds from minting these games will go directly to the creators involved in their development.
Addressing Modern Internet Challenges
Atari and Coinbase emphasized the need for an update to today’s internet, criticizing the current corporate internet for imposing arbitrary rules, censorship, digital theft, middlemen, and transaction fees. To tackle these issues, they have partnered with Stack and several creators to launch Onchain Arcade. This initiative will bring beloved Atari classics to the blockchain, offering a new way for players to engage with these games.
Tyler Drewitz, director of Atari Club and Atari X, explained that Coinbase, with over 100 million users for its wallets and crypto 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 numerous initiatives. Although Atari stepped back from some of its blockchain projects after Chesnais’ departure in 2021, the company re-entered the space with Web3 projects in collaboration with The Sandbox and Polycade in 2022.
Reinventing Atari Club with Web3
Drewitz mentioned that 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 highlighted the success of the previous year’s Onchain Summer event and expressed excitement about continuing the partnership this year. The collaboration ensures that proceeds from game sales are fairly distributed to the creators, addressing the issue of creators receiving only a small share of their content’s earnings.
Launching Onchain Arcade and SPARKLET Token
Players can now relive their childhood memories with Atari classics in the new Onchain Arcade. They can compete for leaderboard positions and earn exciting rewards such as the Atari 2600+, merchandise, game codes, and more. Weekly rewards will be available through August 30. Drewitz noted that Atari has been known for its innovation in gaming for over 50 years and that their early adoption of Web3 technology continues this tradition. He mentioned that blockchain technology has allowed Atari to engage with its community in various ways, from collaborating on new products to building 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, connect or create a cryptocurrency wallet, mint the game for $5, and strive to achieve a high leaderboard ranking 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 Onchain Creativity
Atari and Coinbase are encouraging everyone to be builders 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 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 in 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 pioneering accessible and enjoyable blockchain experiences, highlighting the positive impact of Onchain Summer. Players will benefit from blockchain purchases through exclusive items and Easter eggs, enhancing their gaming experience. Atari’s summer camp, inspired by the old 1980s Atari computer games, aims to provide retro experiences for players.
This partnership between Atari and Coinbase marks a significant step in integrating classic games with modern blockchain technology, offering a new and immersive way for players to engage with Atari’s iconic titles.