Atari Acquires Developer Behind Classic PS5 and PS Plus Games

Atari has announced its acquisition of Implicit Conversions, the development studio responsible for bringing numerous classic titles to modern consoles as part of the PlayStation Plus Premium service. The move strengthens Atari’s position in the retro gaming and emulation space, adding to its existing portfolio of studios specializing in game preservation and re-releases.

Implicit Conversions is known for its work on adapting legacy games for current-generation systems, including titles such as Fear Effect, Fighting Force, and various entries in the Mortal Kombat series. According to the studio’s own statements, it has contributed to the re-release of over a hundred classic games on platforms like the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 through curated collections available via subscription services.

The studio’s proprietary technology, particularly its Syrup engine, enables the porting of 32-bit era games to modern hardware, even when original source code is unavailable. This capability complements Atari’s existing internal tools, such as the Bakesale Engine from Digital Eclipse and the Kex Engine from Nightdive, forming what Atari CEO Wade Rosen described as an “enviable suite of proprietary tools” for retro game preservation and distribution.

Implicit Conversions, Atari and their amazing studios have a shared passion for retro games, and a shared belief that accessibility is the cornerstone of preservation.

Robin Lavallée, cofounder of Implicit Conversions

Atari emphasized that the acquisition aligns with its broader strategy of leveraging expertise in emulation, porting, publishing, and distribution to expand access to classic intellectual property. The company noted its strong relationships with major IP holders as a foundation for future collaborations, stating it looks forward to working with additional partners to bring more legacy titles to modern audiences using its combined technological capabilities.

When you combine our large portfolio of owned-IP and our strong relationships with major IP holders, we have a lot of opportunity in front of us.

Wade Rosen, CEO of Atari

Atari’s recent acquisitions reflect a growing investment in the retro gaming market, following its ownership of Digital Eclipse and Nightdive — studios recognized for their work in revitalizing older games with modern enhancements. The integration of Implicit Conversions adds further depth to Atari’s ability to handle a wider range of eras and technical challenges in game preservation, particularly for complex 32-bit titles that require specialized emulation approaches.

While the financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed in the initial announcement, Atari confirmed that the studio will continue its operations under the new ownership. Industry observers noted that the move is unlikely to immediately affect the delivery of existing PlayStation Plus Premium content, given the studio’s established workflows and ongoing commitments to platform partners.

As part of its ongoing efforts to preserve and re-release historic video games, Atari continues to build internal capacity through both organic development and strategic acquisitions. The addition of Implicit Conversions represents a further step in consolidating expertise and technology under a single entity focused on making classic games accessible to contemporary players across multiple platforms.