Digital Eclipse, a renowned developer known for its expertise in bringing classic games to modern gaming platforms, is now in the process of being acquired by Atari.

This move comes on the heels of Atari’s recent acquisition of Nightdive Studios, the developer responsible for the highly-anticipated System Shock remake and a slew of top-notch ports of classic PC and console titles. According to reports from VGC, Atari is shelling out a significant sum of up to $20 million for Digital Eclipse.

Atari’s decision to acquire Digital Eclipse is driven by its commitment to bolster its retro-focused growth strategy. Wade Rosen, the CEO of Atari, expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating, “Digital Eclipse is the best in the world at what they do. They have a deep love and respect for the history of the games industry and are renowned for developing critically acclaimed projects based on historic franchises. Digital Eclipse, along with Nightdive, are in perfect alignment with Atari’s DNA and renewed purpose. I’m personally excited to see where we can push the boundaries of retro innovation together.“

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This acquisition appears to be a perfect match for both parties. In 2022, Digital Eclipse garnered critical acclaim for its Atari 50 collection, a compilation that delves into the rich history of Atari through 50 playable games, alongside bonus content such as galleries, arcade flyers, and documentaries.

Following this success, Digital Eclipse released “The Making of Karateka,” a focused project that explores the creation of the 1984 classic and its lasting impact on the gaming industry over the decades. This collection features various versions of the game, as well as a wealth of collectibles and documentary footage. Given Digital Eclipse’s expertise in crafting these lovingly curated anthologies, Atari’s interest in acquiring the company comes as no surprise.