JUNE 9, 2009 • Daily Variety reported that one of the major reasons Atari acquired Cryptic Studios was to develop an MMO based on the Neverwinter Nights franchise originally created by Bioware. Atari owns rights to the franchise, but Bioware will have no participation in the title, targeted at a 2011 release.

Impact: Atari has some valuable franchises but is really struggling from a business perspective.  Even with a AAA developer like Cryptic Studios, developing a solid MMO on the Neverwinter Nights franchise may simply be beyond Atari’s financial means. Atari may need a larger partner to help bring this to fruition.