Atari Acquires Implicit Conversions for PS1 Emulation
Atari has expanded its retro game preservation efforts by acquiring Implicit Conversions, an emulation studio known for its work on 32-bit titles, particularly those from the Sony PlayStation era. This move, reported by VGC, strengthens Atari's growing portfolio of specialist development houses, aiming to cover a broader spectrum of classic hardware. Implicit Conversions' proprietary Syrup Engine, which handles 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit games, is a key asset here, especially with its current PlayStation support and upcoming PlayStation 2 capabilities.
Implicit Conversions has already collaborated with Atari subsidiary Digital Eclipse on projects like the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, where they handled the three PlayStation games in the compilation. They also contributed to the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition. This prior working relationship clearly laid the groundwork for the acquisition.
Atari's Growing Emulation Arsenal
This acquisition follows Atari's earlier moves to bring in other specialist studios. In 2023, Atari acquired Digital Eclipse, a studio primarily focused on 8-bit and 16-bit era emulation. Digital Eclipse is well-regarded for its interactive museum timelines, which add historical context to many of its retro releases. Before that, Atari also acquired Nightdive Studios, known for remastering polygonal games, making them playable on modern systems with enhanced resolutions and frame rates.
What this hints at, for the scene, is a more structured approach to retro re-releases than we have seen from many publishers. Rather than relying on a single team for all eras, Atari is building a specialised stable, each with its own proprietary emulation engine, to tackle the unique challenges of different console generations, according to Nightdive Studios. Atari CEO Wade Rosen stated that Implicit Conversions' ability to work with 32-bit era games using their Syrup Engine complements their existing expertise with 8-bit and 16-bit titles.
The Syrup Engine and PlayStation Focus
Implicit Conversions' Syrup Engine is an advanced emulation engine designed to bring games from the 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit eras to modern platforms. It currently supports seven classic systems, with the Sony PlayStation being the most prominent. The studio has also confirmed that PlayStation 2 support is coming soon, with a project codenamed 'Waffle' in development, and future plans for PlayStation 3 emulation under the codename 'Benedict'.
Bill Litshauer, head of operations at Implicit Conversions, confirmed on their website that their PlayStation experience was a primary reason for Atari's interest. He noted, "While we will likely expand our repertoire and assist with projects in the broader scope of Atari’s long-term vision, our primary focus remains with continuing to develop for Pancake (PS1), developing Waffle (PS2), and then setting our eyes to the future with Benedict (PS3)." This dedication to specific console architectures, particularly the notoriously complex PlayStation family, is a strong indicator of their technical depth.
A Strategy for Preservation
Atari's strategy appears to be one of comprehensive coverage. With Digital Eclipse's Bakesale Engine handling 8-bit and 16-bit games, Nightdive's Kex Engine for polygonal remasters, and now Implicit Conversions' Syrup Engine for 32-bit emulation, particularly PlayStation titles, Atari possesses a strong suite of proprietary tools. This allows them to address the varied technical demands of different console generations, from the simpler 8-bit systems to the more complex 32-bit architectures.
This approach is critical for the long-term preservation of retro games. Each era presents unique challenges for accurate emulation and porting. The 32-bit era, with its shift to 3D graphics and more complex hardware, often requires specialised techniques to ensure faithful reproduction on modern systems. Having dedicated teams and engines for these specific challenges suggests a serious commitment to quality.
What This Means for Future Releases
The acquisition means that Atari can now more effectively expand its capabilities across its own back catalogue and those of its IP partners. This could lead to a wider range of retro re-releases, particularly for PlayStation titles, which have sometimes been overlooked in favour of earlier console generations. The focus on adding historical content and context, a hallmark of Digital Eclipse's work, is also something Implicit Conversions shares, according to Litshauer.
For enthusiasts, this consolidation of talent under the Atari umbrella could mean more accurate and feature-rich re-releases across multiple platforms. The promise of future PlayStation 2 and even PlayStation 3 emulation from Implicit Conversions is particularly exciting, opening the door for titles from those eras to receive the same dedicated preservation efforts. It will be interesting to see which specific titles benefit from this expanded technical capacity in the coming years.
Want this but condensed? Sign up to the RetroShell weekly on Substack and we'll email you Monday with the best of the week.
Follow RetroShell on X for daily retro gaming news. Join the community on r/RetroShell.
Originally published by VGC. Read original article.