Atari Acquires the First Five Wizardry Games
Drecom announced that it had recently been informed Atari purchased the rights to the original five Wizardry titles from the series’ original rights holder.
What Atari bought
Atari confirmed it now holds the complete and exclusive rights — including all underlying intellectual property — to the following classic RPGs:
- Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (1981)
- Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds (1982)
- Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn (1983)
- Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna (1987)
- Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom (1988)
Atari says the acquisition also covers other Wizardry-related video games, contract rights and ancillary IP. The company plans to re‑release the titles via digital and physical channels, and to develop remasters, collections and brand‑new entries. Merchandise, tabletop games, books, comics and even TV/film projects are part of a longer‑term strategy to turn the “Original Wizardry” games into a full‑scale entertainment franchise.
Drecom’s response
Japanese developer Drecom — which bought the domestic and foreign trademarks for the Wizardry series in 2020 — issued a statement denying that Atari had obtained the series‑wide trademark. Drecom clarified that:
- It was only told Atari had bought the rights to the first five games from the original owner.
- It has no intention of selling the Wizardry trademark now or in the future.
- It will continue to retain and manage both domestic and international trademark rights for the franchise.
Atari’s official comment
Atari has acquired the full rights to the first five Wizardry games and the underlying IP behind them, which are considered the formative titles and universe most fans know. Drecom owns the Wizardry trademark. Atari collaborated with Drecom on our remake of Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.
Atari’s press release also noted that Wizardry VI, VII and VIII are owned by Drecom and belong to a different fictional universe.
Historical context
The original Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord was co‑created in 1981 by AnimEigo co‑founder Robert Woodhead and the late Andrew C. Greenberg. A 3‑D remake launched in May 2024 and won the “Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media” at the 67th Grammy Awards.
Wizardry has become an influential RPG franchise, spawning numerous spin‑offs in Japan and inspiring many Western role‑playing games. The series also inspired a 1991 OVA.
Sources
- Business Wire press release (May 6 2026)
- Gematsu coverage
- Drecom’s official statement (X/Twitter and corporate website)
- Correspondence with Atari
