PortalOne, which touts itself as “the world’s first hybrid games platform,” has extended its partnership with Atari by today adding Breakout to its unique service–and you’ll be able to duke it out with some big-name celebrities, for free, to win prizes.
In PortalOne’s season premiere on June 8, gamers can play Breakout against none other than Nolan Bushnell–Atari’s founder, and co-creator of the original Breakout–as well as “a superstar lineup of guests” including a yet-unnamed Olympic gold medalist, a selection of YouTube and TikTok influencers and, last but not least, Demi Lovato herself.
This hybrid game of Breakout–which “honors the core principles” of the classic game, maintaining its colorful and retro aesthetic–sees you race against a 100-second timer, with an unlimited number of lives, with the task of smashing as many bricks as you can for the highest score. The Breakout leaderboard operates on 24-hour tournament rules, meaning there’s a new winner every day. The experience is available in 3D, while you can also experience Breakout in the classic, top-down view.
PortalOne aims to combine gaming and TV into one platform, and its shows take place directly inside games. During each show, you use your phone to compete against the guest of the day, who becomes a game character in a supersized version of the game. If you’re new to the PortalOne concept, there’s a handy summary video:
In 2022, PortalOne raised $60 million via an oversubscribed Series A funding round, attracting huge investors including TQ Ventures–an investment fund led by 100 Thieves esports co-owner Scooter Braun–as well as former Forbes 30 Under 30 member Schuster Tanger, plus Singaporean investment company Temasek, which has over $670 billion in assets under management.
PortalOne’s Arcade Show has already attracted a number of high-profile guests, including Justin Bieber, Jack “CouRage” Dunlop, Tori Kelly, and Daniel Mac.
Bård Anders Kasin, CEO and co-founder of PortalOne, said: “Atari is one of the most legendary games companies in history, and we’re lucky to be partnered with them to bring their classic arcade titles into the hybrid game genre.
“Even almost 50 years after its release, Breakout still remains to be one of the most influential games titles ever, thanks to its strong game mechanics and iconic aesthetic. We’re grateful to Atari for working with us as an IP partner, and we look forward to continuing to bring even more iconic Atari titles into the hybrid games genre in the years ahead.”
Breakout will become available during the PortalOne Season Finale on June 7 at 9:00pm ET. The PortalOne Arcade mobile app is free to play, and is available on the App Store and Google Play. It’s only available in the U.S. and Canada for the time being; however, PortalOne has global ambitions, and players outside of North America can join the waitlist to know when it becomes available in their region.
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