Atari is launching a new gaming initiative called Atari GO. Atari is driving online games to almost every platform through partnerships and affiliate programs. The Atari announcement was made by Atari CEO Jeff Lapin. Atari has an extensive catalog of game franchises such as Asteroids, Missile Command, and Centipede. Full press release is below:

Atari has a new CEO as the company is aiming to reach profitability. Former COO Jeff Lapin is replacing former CEO David Gardner. Gardner will be taking on a Director role at the company. Lapin previously worked at RazorGator Interactive Group, Take-Two Interactive Software and THQ.

“For the last two years, first as a Director of the Board and then as COO, I have contributed to the transformation of Atari,” stated Lapin. “It has been a challenging time, which resulted in a new publishing strategy with a strong online focus and a shift of the operations to the U.S.”

In this past fiscal year, Atari lost about $319 million. The company hopes to return to profitability in the second half of the year. The company is also in transition to MMO games. Atari acquired MMO game developer Cryptic Studios last year and plans to launch Star Trek Online in February 2010.

Remember the classic Nintendo game Paperboy? Well its on its way to the iTunes App Store and it will work for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Elite Systems is the company behind the Paperboy iPhone game. Paperboy was originally developed by Atari. Paperboy will be available in classic and 3D mode.

Atari is designing a new game based on the TV show Project Runway for the Nintendo Wii. The game is expected to be released next year. Players will design fashion, outfit models, and use the Wii Balance Board controller for doing the catwalk. Project Runway is currently in its 6th season on the Lifetime channel. The show is hosted by Heidi Klum (pictured below).