For over four years, Wade Rosen has been at the helm of Atari, a company that is synonymous with classic gaming. During his time as CEO, Atari has embarked on various exciting initiatives, including the ongoing Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, a project that celebrates the company’s storied history.
In a recent interview, Rosen shared his personal wish list for potential remaster projects, and it turns out we have a lot in common when it comes to gaming preferences. He expressed his desire to see updated versions of Yasumi Matsuno’s Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen, Hideo Kojima’s cult classic Snatcher, and Yukio Futatsugi’s beloved Panzer Dragoon Saga. Each of these titles holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers, and while they might be long shots for remasters, they certainly deserve attention.
Ogre Battle, originally released by Quest Corporation in 1993, launched a series that many fans have been eager to see revived. Snatcher, a 1988 title from Konami, drew inspiration from iconic films like Blade Runner and Terminator, and has gained a cult following over the years. On the other hand, Panzer Dragoon Saga, a remarkable JRPG from Sega Saturn in 1998, remains one of the most celebrated yet underrated games in the genre.
In discussing these potential projects, Rosen acknowledged the challenge of balancing passion and financial viability. “If we ever had a chance to work on Panzer Dragoon Saga or Ogre Battle or Snatcher or something like that…” he mentioned, highlighting his enthusiasm for these titles. But he also recognized the need for a strategic approach to keep Atari thriving.
“I don’t know if it would do well, but I’d probably push it through and make sure we did it just because I would love to work on one of those,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach between pursuing personal interests and the necessity for profitability.
Rosen also brought up the upcoming Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, which showcases a project that aligns passion with commercial success. While it’s likely to outperform the classic games he dreams of remastering, it illustrates his philosophy that a healthy combination of drive and business sense is necessary for a company’s longevity.
The insightful dialogue Rosen presented in the interview sheds light on a crucial aspect of the gaming industry: a purely metrics-focused strategy can detract from creativity, while an obsession with passion alone may threaten a company’s sustainability. This sentiment resonates deeply, especially as the industry continues to evolve.
