ATARI is looking for more staff and an increased market share in the UK, as its rebuilding process prepares to kick in during 2009.

Alberto Gonzalez Lorca is now managing director of the Atari Atlantic region, which includes the UK as well as Spain, Nordic and Latin America.

“We are not saying exactly what positions we want to fill or what our market share target is for the UK, but we do want to hire the best people and we know that we can grow our sales,” he told MCV.

Amongst those helping to rebuild Atari in the UK is well-respected marketing man David Miller, who is currently overseeing the marketing department ahead of long-term plans being finalised.

The recent Atari Live event, hosted by global heads David Gardner and Phil Harrison, was used to outline releases planned for next year and to remind retail that the company remains totally committed to boxed product for the foreseeable future.

“We must now get out to retail and explain in further detail our plans for this new range of titles, plus there will be more added for later in the year,” added Lorca.

“This is a very exciting time for Atari and the UK, of course, is hugely important to us. There is some rebuilding to be done, but we are already putting our team together and great progress has been made in assembling a quality range of titles.”

Atari last week unveiled further plans to rebuild its internal studios slate with the acquisition of MMO specialist Cryptic. The developer has three titles in the works, including a Star Trek MMO and Champions Online.