Bushnell joins NeoEdge board

Atari founder takes position with California-based casual game company.

Pong creator and video game veteran Nolan Bushnell has been appointed to the board of directors at NeoEdge Networks, a company that specialises in advertising-supported games.

NeoEdge was founded in 2002, currently employs 40 people, and recently appointed Alex Terry, formerly vice president of AOL's voice services division, as CEO.

The company owns and operates the gaming portal MostFun.com, which offers users free, unlimited games that are supported by advertising. MostFun.com is currently in beta, and models itself on a television-style system, where programs are free, with revenue gained from commercials. Games on the site include Diner Dash, Cake Mania, Luxor 2, and Subway Scramble. The company is also currently developing its own titles.

Bushnell cofounded Atari in 1972 with Ted Dabney--the pair had originally wanted to call the company Syzygy, but the name was already in use. Its first title was Computer Space, a Spacewar-style arcade game. He has since founded more than 20 companies, and most recently he opened the first uWink Media Bistro, billed as "an interactive entertainment restaurant," in October 2006.

Bushnell commented, "I'm confident that NeoEdge is on its way towards revolutionising the video game experience."

17 Comments

  • kenesu96

    Posted May 24, 2007 2:22 am GMT

    wjile nolan bushnell did launch the games industry, i see him more as a thomas edison type of person, an invento, a tinkerer and promoter. after atari he created chuck e cheese, some interactive robots, toch screen kiosks and internet modules at cafes, and more. he did truly embody atari's original slogan of 'innovatie leisure' whether its gaming or anything else interactive he aays fin a new niche to bring out.

  • ControllerLord

    Posted May 22, 2007 4:48 pm GMT

    I like his comment at the end. It's classic Bushnell. Bushnell is the king of hype because of how he turned games to the mainstream. NoeEdge will probably continue to grow with him, but it probably won't revolutionize the video game experience. Unless they find ways to advertise in console games to drop the sticker price $15-$20, but that's a different topic.

  • DoctorFu

    Posted May 22, 2007 4:17 pm GMT

    He might be the granddaddy of gaming but I don't think he's very much in contact with what gamers want these days.

  • Pete5506

    Posted May 22, 2007 2:59 pm GMT

    what RaiKageRyu said

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted May 22, 2007 2:27 pm GMT

    Sorry but this guy is just washed up.

  • Po77InAtOr

    Posted May 22, 2007 2:10 pm GMT

    Nolan Bushnell hasn't truly been a part of the gaming industry since Atari. He just kind of hangs around and moves from company to company not really doing anything.

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted May 22, 2007 1:56 pm GMT

    @bossjimbob: As far as ANY are concerned. The man invented Pong, to say nothing of Computer Space. It's not just console gaming, the man is the granddaddy of GAMING.

  • SilV3RSix

    Posted May 22, 2007 1:13 pm GMT

    For a second I thought the rifle scope people were getting into the game biz...

  • King9999

    Posted May 22, 2007 11:49 am GMT

    The picture of him in the hot tub with a cigar is a classic pic.

  • TheHeartofaLion

    Posted May 22, 2007 11:32 am GMT

    Bushnell started it all....good to see him still in the business.

  • bossjimbob

    Posted May 22, 2007 10:24 am GMT

    Nolan is the man. He's the father of the modern console industry as far as I'm concerned.

  • ReggieNametaker

    Posted May 22, 2007 9:54 am GMT

    Good to see the old timer is still kicking it

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted May 22, 2007 9:27 am GMT

    Bushnell = Legend.

  • Runningflame570

    Posted May 22, 2007 9:11 am GMT

    Wow...Nolan Bushnell, hes got to be really old by now. Even if it was derived off of another game (and had a lawsuit filed against it for that) Pong can be considered the game that has allowed for the videogame industry to flourish.

  • Kounji

    Posted May 22, 2007 8:36 am GMT

    Cool, I always find it interesting when people try different models like this. I wonder what drew him to this.

  • FilthyYamBag

    Posted May 22, 2007 8:06 am GMT

    Hopefully he can swing the industry in another direction, so that games that aren't so complex come back into style. Complex is awesome, but we need some more simple games for new gamers

  • fierro316

    Posted May 22, 2007 7:45 am GMT

    Interesting concept. I hope the games are worth the time.

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