Space Invaders, the seminal arcade classic that spawned a whole generation of computer gamers, is to be resurrected by Activision Inc, the Santa Monica, California-based developer and worldwide distributor of entertainment software. Originally developed by Japanese company Taito Corp back in 1978, Space Invaders is to be updated by Activision to include cutting-edge technology and explosive graphics according to Robert Kotick, Activision’s CEO. The two companies would not disclose the price paid in the deal, but Activision now holds the worldwide publishing rights for Space Invaders (excluding Japan) with new games set to be developed for the PC and all popular games consoles. To date, Taito claims to have generated over $500m in revenues from the Space Invaders legacy. Also included in the deal were publishing rights to Taito’s ‘Asteroids’ game of the same era.
