Origin and Meaning of Atari

To hit or reach

Origin: Japanese - In the context of the board game Go, 'atari' refers to a situation where a stone is in danger of being captured; it can be translated as 'to hit'.

• Atari is primarily recognized as the name of a pioneering video game company founded in 1972, known for its influence on arcade and home console gaming.
• In Japanese culture, the term 'atari' is used in the game of Go, which is highly respected and has deep historical roots in Japan.
• The name Atari has become synonymous with the early era of video gaming, with iconic titles such as Pong and Asteroids being developed by the company.
• Atari experiences fluctuating popularity; while it peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s during the video game boom, its name remains influential in gaming and pop culture.
• Variations of the name Atari don't exist in the same way traditional names do, but it has influenced the naming of products and companies in the gaming industry.