Long-running games firm Atari has bought the publishing rights to 2004's Rollercoaster Tycoon 3.

The firm has paid the existing owner of these rights, Frontier Developments, $7 million for these. Of that figure, $4 million is upfront cash while the remaining $3 million is deferred payment.

Frontier originally developed Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 with Atari as the publisher. The publishing rights returned to the studio in 2018 and has made around $1.5 million a year in profit.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rollercoaster Tycoon with Chris Sawyer, I am really pleased that we can unite this important and successful title in the series with the rest of the franchise,” Atari chair and CEO Wade Rosen said.

”This is going to create new opportunities for Atari as we continue the great work done by Frontier, and bring benefits to the fans of games across the Rollercoaster Tycoon franchise.”

This news comes in the midst of a rather turbulent time for Frontier Development's financial situation.