After having left the company long ago, founder Nolan Bushnell is filling one of several vacancies created with the departure of key executives.

Former vice president Phil Harrison has resigned his position with Atari, as has Atari's past CEO David Gardner who also gave up his seat on the board.

Bushnell's addition to Atari's board of directors signals a shift in the company's leadership, one that is needed in light of its continued decline in the console and handheld market.

Bushnell is optimistic, though, about the company's future. "I am very excited to be reacquainted with Atari at a time when it is poised to make interesting strides in key growth areas of the games industry."

By Tracy Erickson