YouTuber Acquires Commodore, Revamps Key Executives and Electrifies with Upcoming Hardware Announcements
In an exciting development, Christian Simpson, better known as Peri Fractic, has acquired the Commodore Corporation for a sum estimated to be within the "low seven-figure range". The deal, which values the company at between $1 million and $5 million, is set to breathe new life into the iconic brand that once dominated the home computer market.
Simpson, a seasoned games journalist with 15 years of experience under his belt, having worked for various outlets including Edge magazine, Ars Technica, Eurogamer, GamesRadar+, Gamespot, the Guardian, IGN, the New Statesman, Polygon, Vice, and PC Gamer, has signed a share purchase agreement with the current rights holders, a Dutch firm named Commodore Corporation, which owns the Commodore branding and related intellectual property.
The deal includes ownership of 46 trademarks dating back to 1982, encompassing much of the historic Commodore brand heritage. However, the exact scope of the acquisition is complex due to the brand's history. The original Commodore company went bankrupt in 1994, after which its assets, trademarks, and patents passed through multiple companies before landing with the current Dutch owners. Therefore, this deal essentially covers the Commodore brand trademarks and intellectual property rights managed by Commodore Corporation in the Netherlands.
Simpson has formed a team including several former Commodore executives and engineers to bring authenticity and expertise to the revived company. Notable names involved are Bil Herd (lead engineer 1982-1986), Albert Charpentier (VP of Technology 1979-1984), Michael Tomczyh, James Harrison, and David Pleasance—all veterans from Commodore’s heyday. Additionally, actor Thomas Middleditch has joined the project, with plans to possibly launch new "retro futuristic" hardware as early as next year.
The new Commodore, under Simpson's leadership, could potentially be something more than its current state. The author of "A Brief History of Video Games," Rich Stanton, suggests that Commodore could do worse than someone like Simpson, who has managed to gather luminaries from the Commodore era. Simpson's passion for retro gaming is evident in his actions, as he has rebranded his retro gaming channel as "Retro Recipes x Commodore."
Simpson is now the "acting CEO of Commodore Corporation." While he is looking for angel investors to finance the deal, no timeframe for any deals has been provided. The vibe of the new iteration of Commodore is "honoring our past, innovating the future."
This acquisition positions Simpson as the acting CEO of Commodore Corporation and revives the Commodore legacy primarily through its trademarks and brand identity, rather than encompassing the complete original company infrastructure. The author expresses concern about the Commodore brand's past misuse, using it for products like paper shredders and USB sticks. However, with Simpson at the helm, there is hope that the brand will regain its former glory.
[1] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-07-12-commodore-is-back-with-a-new-owner [2] https://www.pcgamer.com/commodore-is-back-in-business-with-new-owners/ [3] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/commodore-is-back-in-business-with-new-owners/1100-6494847/ [4] https://www.eurogamer.net/commodore-is-back-in-business-with-new-owners [5] https://www.ign.com/articles/commodore-is-back-in-business-with-new-owners
- Christian Simpson, who is now the acting CEO of Commodore Corporation, aims to revive the iconic brand by honoring its past and innovating its future, as he looks for angel investors to finance the deal.
- The acquisition of Commodore Corporation by Simpson, a seasoned games journalist and retro gaming enthusiast, includes ownership of 46 trademarks dating back to 1982, seeking to breathe new life into the brand that once dominated the home computer market.
- Simpson's passion for retro gaming is evident, as he has gathered luminaries from Commodore's heyday, forming a team that includes former executives and engineers, with actor Thomas Middleditch potentially launching new "retro futuristic" hardware as early as next year.
- As fans eagerly await the new chapter in Commodore's history, they can bet on the authenticity and expertise of Simpson's team, as they work to regain the Commodore brand's former glory, moving past its past misuse on various gadgets and technology associated with the brand.
