Gardner out as Atari CEO

David Gardner has stepped down as CEO of Atari, the firm has confirmed.

His replacement, former COO Jeff Lapin, now marks the company’s fourth chief executive in the space of three years.

News of Atari’s new chief was announced late on Friday – a telling sign, perhaps, of how much Atari wanted coverage of its CEO merry-go-round.

The departure of Gardner spells the end of Atari’s overhaul, which began in 2008 as the likes of Phil Harrison, Paullina Bozek and Gardner himself joined the company in dramatic fashion.

Under the helm of Harrison and Gardner, Atari spoke of establishing studios in other countries, regardless of cost, and continually spoke of reviving the Atari brand.

However, neither industry luminaries have stayed in their posts for the long term. Harrison left the firm back in May; the same day it was confirmed that Atari was cancelling various projects due to cited money issues.

Though Gardner has left his post, he remains as member of its board of directors, as does Harrison in a non-executive capacity.

Gardner’s new successor, Lapin, becomes Atari’s fourth CEO in just three years.

“For the last two years, first as a director of the board and then as COO, I have contributed to the transformation of Atari,” new chief Lapin stated.