Atari to open a chain of video game-themed hotels that will feature virtual reality experiences
- The hotels will be located across the US with the first set to open in Phoenix
- Select hotels will also feature both venues and studios for Esports events
- Atari hotels are also planned for Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and San Jose
Video game firm Atari is to open a chain of hotels that will allow guests to take part in virtual reality experiences.
The properties will be located across the United States with the first location breaking ground in Phoenix later this year.
It is promised that the hotels will ‘marry the origins of gaming and the future of the booming industry into a fun and unique travel destination’.
Video game firm Atari is to open a chain of hotels across the United States. Pictured is a rendering of how the first hotel, in Phoenix, will look
According to Atari, the lodgings will be ‘fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability’ and will include the latest in VR and AR (virtual and augmented reality).
Select hotels will also feature state-of-the-art venues and studios to accommodate esports events.
After Phoenix, Atari Hotels will open in Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.
Hotel development and design is being led by Shelly Murphy’s GSD Group and Napoleon Smith III, producer of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film franchise reboot.
True North Studio, a leading Phoenix, Arizona-based real estate developer — currently working alongside GSD Group with Steve Wozniak’s Woz Innovation Foundation — will develop the first Atari-branded hotel.
Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari, said: ‘We are thrilled to partner with GSD Group and True North Studio to build the first-ever Atari branded hotels across the United States. Together we’ll build a space that will be much more than just a place to stay
An Atari 2600 console, which was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s
‘Atari is an iconic global brand that resonates with people of all ages, countries, cultures and ethnic backgrounds and we cannot wait for our fans and their families to enjoy this new hotel concept.’
Napoleon Smith III said: ‘When creating this brand-new hotel concept, we knew that Atari would be the perfect way to give guests the nostalgic and retro-meets-modern look and feel we were going for. Let’s face it, how cool will it be to stay inside an Atari?!’
While Shelly Murphy added: ‘Atari Hotels will be the first of their kind in the U.S, offering gamers of all ages the ultimate in immersive entertainment in every aspect of gaming.
‘We’re excited to be working on this project with such great partners and to bring a big win to Arizona.’