Atari has been assembling a formidable stable of retro-focused studios, and the latest addition fills a gap that has been sitting in the middle of the company’s existing lineup. The publisher has acquired Implicit Conversions, a Delaware-based emulation studio specializing in ports of games from the 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit eras, with a particular focus on the original PlayStation.
The key piece of technology here is Implicit Conversions’ proprietary Syrup Engine, which currently supports seven classic systems. PS1 is the headliner, with PS2 support described as coming soon. The studio has already been working alongside Atari subsidiary Digital Eclipse, contributing to the PS1 game ports to the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection and working on the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition.
That collaboration appears to have been the catalyst for the acquisition. As the head of operations for the Implicit Conversions, Bill Litshauer put it, working with Atari felt like finding long-lost cousins, with both teams sharing the same priorities around honouring original versions, adding historical context, and keeping classic games accessible for the future.
The purchase makes obvious sense when you map it against Atari’s existing roster. Digital Eclipse, acquired in 2023 for around $20 million, handles 8-bit and 16-bit emulation with its Bakesale Engine and is known for the interactive documentary-style packaging it brings to retro compilations. Nightdive Studios, acquired before that, specialises in polygonal games, cleaning up and re-releasing early 3D titles with improved resolutions and frame rates via its Kex Engine. Implicit Conversions and the Syrup Engine slot into the space between them, covering the 32-bit generation that neither studio was set up to handle cleanly.
Atari CEO Wade Rosen framed it in those terms directly, describing the acquisition as rounding out an “enviable suite of proprietary tools.” Litshauer also noted that a key draw for Atari was the studio’s ongoing work with Waffle, its PS2 emulator, and that longer-term plans include development work targeting the PS3 under the working name Benedict.
Source: VGC
