Atari CEO Expresses Interest in Ogre Battle Remaster Collaboration with Square Enix

In a significant development for fans of classic strategy RPGs, Atari CEO Wade Rosen has articulated his desire to see the legendary Ogre Battle franchise revived for modern audiences, citing the importance of gaming preservation and the historic value of franchises like Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre.

Rosen shared his perspective during an in-depth interview with Game Developer, offering insights into the future direction of the recently revived Infogrames publishing label. Since its inception on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1993, the Ogre Battle series by Quest has been highly regarded among strategy game aficionados.

As of today, the intellectual property of Ogre Battle resides with Square Enix, who most recently brought Tactics Ogre: Reborn—a remaster of the acclaimed PSP title—to several modern platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC in November 2022.

This remaster was met with positive reviews and renewed interest in the legacy of tactical strategy games. Rosen emphasized that Atari and Infogrames are repositioning themselves as preservationist publishers, focused on bringing revered but dormant game franchises back into circulation.

He explained, “Infogrames is uniquely positioned to become a home for established IPs that developers and publishers may have moved on from, but which still have enduring appeal.

The goal is to provide a platform where these series can continue to thrive, rather than fade into obscurity.” Unlike other publishers who focus on signing new games, Rosen outlined that Infogrames seeks to acquire and update older titles with proven fanbases.

He clarified that the company does not typically pursue unreleased projects, stating, "We don’t see ourselves as having a unique advantage in unreleased games, but classic series with track records are at the heart of our strategy." Specifically highlighting his admiration for Ogre Battle, Rosen remarked on his aspiration to collaborate with Square Enix: "Personally, I have a deep appreciation for Ogre Battle.

Even though Square Enix recently released a remaster of Tactics Ogre, there is still potential to revisit and update the original Ogre Battle games.

I would welcome the opportunity for Infogrames to work with Square Enix, perhaps to remaster Ogre Battle or bring it to the Nintendo Switch and other modern platforms." This renewed preservationist focus follows Atari’s acquisition of the Infogrames brand in 2022, with the intent to champion historical releases and forgotten gems from across the video game industry.

Square Enix, for its part, has a strong track record with remasters, having successfully revitalized franchises such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and, most recently, Tactics Ogre. With proven sales and critical success in recent remasters and a growing demand for classic game revivals on the Nintendo Switch eShop, the prospect of an Ogre Battle remaster is likely to resonate with longtime fans.

If realized, such a partnership between Atari/Infogrames and Square Enix could signal a new era for classic game preservation, ensuring that iconic titles remain accessible to both nostalgic gamers and new generations alike.

Nintendo Switch Square Enix Nintendo Atari Switch Enix Square Infogrames Wade Rosen Ogre Ogre Battle Tactics Ogre