What was known as the first gaming console, the Atari, now becomes the first-ever gaming hotel in the U.S. as Atari announces the construction of a hotel in mid-2020. These video game-themed hotels will pop-up all over America starting in Phoenix, Arizona.
Atari continues to literally build the gaming industry, brick by brick, with this step to expand gaming to all kinds of consumers. The establishment will include spaces to hold esports events and conventions along with immersive gaming like virtual and augmented reality systems. Parents can even host parties for their children in rooms with 10 separate gaming consoles, while also having access to all the commodities for sleeping.
For those who are unfamiliar with AR and VR, AR or augmented reality has to do with interactive screen images, sometimes connected with a joystick, like the original Atari system. Virtual reality, however, is more immersive, as one using VR is virtually taken into a simulation, much like the Oculus Rift, virtual reality headsets developed and manufactured by Oculus VR.
Although it may seem like Atari is only attracting a generation with prior knowledge of these two technologies, Atari CEO, Fred Chesnais argues against it.
“Atari is an iconic global brand that resonates with people of all ages, countries, cultures and ethnic backgrounds,” said Chesnais. “And we cannot wait for our fans and their families to enjoy this new hotel concept.”
Working alongside the Atari CEO, Shelley Murphy and Napoleon Smith III of GSD Group will also work in the collaboration process for hotels. GSD Group is known for its experience with entertainment and technology services while catering to iconic brands, like Atari.
Because the name “Atari” is connected with retro gaming, retro and futuristic styles will combine to create the never-done-before gaming hotel. There has only been a single photo released of what the first Atari hotel is set to look like. The outside design has a sleek and modern look with the Atari logo cleverly embedded on a side of the hotel, working as an architectural and on-brand piece.
If all goes well with the company’s first hotel in Phoenix, these hotels could also be found in Austin, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle coming sometime in 2021 to 2022.
Though the company opening these hotels seems like an exciting visit from the past as well as the future, there’s been some worry about how well these hotels will run and operate. Back in 2013, the French company Atari filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Essentially what this did was reorganize the business in order to keep it alive and pay creditors over time. There haven’t been any incidents since then, so, hopefully, the new gaming hotel’s opening can keep the retro business alive as well as give the United States a modern form of entertainment.
Jaclyn Herd
Reporter