Atari Celebrates 30th Anniversary of  Missile Command

February 25, 2010

Atari Celebrates 30th Anniversary of 
Missile Command

Original Phenomenon Updated with New Features
and Free-to-Play Multiplayer Action for the Next Generation by Real-Time Games
Site OMGPOP

Atari Inc. is bringing back a franchise that
helped catapult the company into an international household name with the 30th
anniversary edition of Missile Command(r). The new version has been updated and
reimagined by OMGPOP, operator of the omgpop.com website. Housed in a mini-site
dedicated to the game, the remixed Missile Command captures the original iconic
DNA of the 1980’s phenomenon, and adds compelling new dimensions and attitude –
highlighted by the entirely online multiplayer gameplay, a first for the
franchise. Missile Command is free to play and available at
www.missilecommand.com,
www.atari.com/missilecommand
and
www.omgpop.com/games/missilecommand
.

The year was 1980 and all across the planet
people had the very real fear that one day the world’s super powers would
finally use their nuclear arsenals. Missile Command was in many ways a reaction
to those fears. The premise of the game was simple: the player must protect six
cities from an ever increasing swarm of ballistic missiles. Control was taken
care of by a fast and accurate trackball that was notorious for pinching the
skin of players’ fingers. That didn’t seem to affect the public appeal of the
game which became an immediate arcade smash hit and one of the biggest sellers
of the Atari 2600 system.

Now Atari and OMGPOP have built upon that legacy
with this exciting online version. With enhanced features such as powerups, new
enemies, upgrades, and an entirely online multiplayer co-operative gameplay
option, the new Missile Command has all the makings of a modern classic.

"Missile Command is a pop culture phenomenon that
millions upon millions of fans have enjoyed throughout the years," says Jim
Wilson, President and CEO of Atari, Inc. "The new Missile Command maintains the
appeal of the original while bringing it to today’s casual and social game
players. It is an example of how Atari’s games portfolio is well positioned for
today’s growing online games market."

"Working with Atari was terrific," says OMGPOP
CEO Dan Porter. "To be able to work on a classic that many of us grew up playing
and add the social and multiplayer features was a great way to bring the game to
the millions of teens on omgpop.com."

Missile Command on Atari.com boasts thrilling new
gameplay such as:

  • Online Co-op Gameplay – play instantly with up
    to seven-players in real-time
  • Unlimited Levels – play with increasing
    challenge as you progress
  • Unique Difficulty Scaling – difficulty scales
    based on number of players and level progression into the game
  • Power-ups – all new power upgrades help
    players increase blast radius, missile speed, reload rates, missile supply and
    more
  • Enemies – take on massive waves of enemy
    missiles, aircrafts and bosses with varying speeds, health, behavior and
    characteristics
  • Award Systems – Medals awarded to top players
    in each round and a leader board support system to track players and friends
    with most medals

Fans who visit
www.missilecommand.com can immerse
themselves in the game’s heritage by comparing the OMGPOP remix to the original
1980 release, also playable on the site. In addition, to celebrate the game’s
place in gaming history, Atari has created a retrospective charting the
evolution of the game from its coin-op origins with original cabinet images, box
art, screenshots and trivia.

There is also the opportunity to win a rare,
refurbished original Missile Command coin-op cabinet from the 1980s. For more
information and details on how to enter the sweepstakes please visit
www.missilecommand.com.

For more information on the new Missile Command,
please visit www.atari.com.