Artists Reimagine Nostalgic Games Through the Lens of Art, First Collaboration Features Shantell Martin Reskinning Asteroids 

Polycade, the connected arcade platform invented by Tyler Bushnell, which updates arcade gaming for the 21st century, is teaming up with Atari to launch Polycade Limiteds, a cultural crossover collaboration between video games and art, orchestrated by Web3. The collaboration will have prominent contemporary artists reskin original Atari games, which will be released as limited editions of Digital Cartridges, available for purchase on the blockchain. The official launch will be celebrated at ComplexCon (November 19-20) with a tournament style competition. 

Polycade Limiteds will feature 12 artist collaborations, where each artist will redesign a classic Atari game, such as Asteroids®, PONG®, Centipede®, Missile Command® and Breakout®. Each reskinned game will be fully playable and reimagined with the artist’s vision – redesigning all graphics and backgrounds. Polycade Limiteds will kick-off its first limited title with contemporary artist Shantell Martin reskinning the classic Atari game Asteroids.  The Digital Cartridge will include three editions (see below for details) with the minting date set for December 12th. The sale of the Artist Edition will be located on nft.coinbase.com and the auction for the Gold Edition will begin on December 12. Digital Cartridges will be stored on the Ethereum Blockchain and a pre-buy and auction accept list to purchase will also be found on Polycade’s website.  

“Shantell Martin’s black and white line art really embodies the kinetic energy of Asteroids,” said Tyler Bushnell, CEO, Polycade. “Video games have influenced many traditional artists over the years, but the ability for them to put their mark on games and monetize their artistic creation has been extremely difficult and expensive. Blockchain technology has made it possible for digital goods to behave like the physical collectibles commonly produced by artists.”

Each redesign will be available in three editions – Artist, Silver and Gold – with unique variations in each design. Artist Editions will be limited to 1,000 digital copies, Silver editions 10 digital copies, and the Gold edition will be limited to one digital copy which includes a physical Polycade machine designed by the artist. 

Bushnell adds, “Whether you’re a nostalgia gamer, collector, or art fan, we’re excited to bring to market a new type of interactive, playable art that honors fantastic video games and incredible artists by bringing them together, providing transparent ownership via our Digital Cartridges, and gamifying the experience through tournaments and achievements.”

“Polycade Limiteds is embracing the spirit of ‘what is old is new again’ through the experience of playing Atari games reimagined by top artists. We are excited to see these games played in the traditional format with a new Web3 twist”, said Tyler Drewitz, Strategy and Growth, Atari. 

Shantell Martin, visual artist, intuitive philosopher, cultural facilitator, teacher, choreographer, songwriter, and performer, is the first artist to kick-off the collaboration. Shantell will be bringing her large scale, black-and-white line drawings, to the classic game Asteroids. 

“Never could I have ever imagined that the hours and hours I spent as a child playing Asteroids would one day lead to me being able to play my own version as an adult,” says Martin.

In addition, New York street artist Buff Monster will be the second artist collab, the game he will be reskinning has not been announced yet. Buff Monster’s art exudes pop art using bright colors and bold lines, which is seen mostly in large scale murals and paintings. Follow the Polycade Limiteds social channels (@polycade) to stay tuned for the next artist + game announcements.

Shantell Martin x Atari Polycade Limiteds featuring Asteroids:

TOKEN COLLECTIBLE (Digital and physical) 

  • Limited to 5,000 copies, limit 10 per wallet
  • Each order receives 1x physical token and 1x digital token
  • Digital token can be used to purchase 10 plays in any Polycade Limiteds tournament (additional entry requirements needed for some tournaments) 

ARTIST EDITION

  • Limited to 1,000 digital copies, limit one per wallet
  • All artwork reimagined by Shantell Martin
  • Owners can play on the Polycade website, Polycade downloadable software, and on any physical Polycade arcade machine, including those in public places like bars.

SILVER EDITION

  • Limited to 10 digital copies
  • The Silver Edition will only be made available through physical and online tournaments. 
  • This edition will feature different asteroids and player artwork as compared to the Artist Edition.
  • Owners can play on the Polycade website, Polycade downloadable software, and on any physical Polycade arcade machine, including those in public places like bars.

GOLD EDITION

  • Limited to one package that includes one digital copy and one physical Polycade 
  • The Gold Edition is a one of one unique edition that includes a unique reskin of the game as well as a physical Polycade arcade designed by the artist.   
  • This edition will feature the artwork from the Silver Edition in a new colorway.
  • Owners can play on the Polycade website, Polycade downloadable software, and on any physical Polycade arcade machine, including those in public places like bars.

About Polycade Inc.

Polycade Inc. is on a mission to build community through gaming by combining the social arcade experience with modern games and technology. Users can experience Polycade through the Polycade Arcade Cabinet and the downloadable Polycade software. Created by Tyler Bushnell, son of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese founder Nolan Bushnell, the unique IP created by Polycade allows users to play games from any generation and use one interface to combine all of their favorite platforms. Polycade was founded by Tyler Bushnell. Investors include Founders Fund, Wavemaker Partners, Gaingels, and MVP All-Star Fund.

About Shantell Martin

Shantell’s art is exhibited and sought after by many top museums, galleries, and art spaces such as the Whitney Museum Shop in NYC; the Oculus, World Trade Center, NYC; Governor’s Island, NYC; Denver Museum of Art and a collaboration with the Pulitzer-Prize winning musician Kendrick Lamar. She has worked with brands as varied as Google Creative Labs, The North Face, and B&B Italia.

About Atari

Atari, comprised of Atari SA and its subsidiaries, is a global interactive entertainment and multiplatform licensing group. The true innovator of the video game, founded in 1972, Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 games and franchises, including globally known brands such as Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command® and Pong®. From this important portfolio of intellectual properties, Atari delivers attractive online games for smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices. Atari also develops and distributes interactive entertainment for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo game consoles. Atari also leverages its brand and franchises with licensing agreements through other media, derivative products and publishing. For more information: www.atari.com and www.atari-investisseurs.fr/en/. Atari shares are listed in France on Euronext Paris (Compartment C, ISIN Code FR0010478248, Ticker ATA) and are eligible for the Nasdaq International program in the United States (OTC – Ticker PONGF).