PHOENIX (3TV/CBS5) -- If you grew up with video games like Pong, Centipede and Asteroids, you're going to love this. An Atari-themed hotel is coming to Phoenix. Atari gaming company has announced that construction on the first video game-themed Atari hotel will begin in mid-2020, right here in the Valley.
Phoenix is only the first location. There are plans to build Atari Hotels all over the United States, with additional hotels slated for Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.
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Atari plans to create a unique vacation experience, combining lodging with a one-of-a-kind video game-themed destination. You can expect to see retro favorites as well as modern touches. The hotels will feature fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including the latest in VR and AR (Virtual and Augmented Reality). A typical hotel will reportedly include an eSports studio, an Atari gaming playground, meeting and event rooms, co-working spaces, restaurants, bars, a bakery, movie theater and a gym.
“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,” said Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari. “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.”
There's no denying that gaming is a massive industry. More than 2.5 billion gamers across the world spent more than $152.1 billion (US) on games in 2019 alone.
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“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?!” said Napoleon Smith III, producer of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film franchise reboot.
“Atari Hotels will be the first of their kind in the U.S., offering gamers of all ages the ultimate in immersive entertainment and 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,” added Shelly Murphy with the GSD Group.
The Atari VCS
Seems like consumers can't get enough of Atari. Last summer, preorders began in the United States for the Atari VCS, a retro-looking video game console loaded with modern technology. The consoles will start shipping in March, 2020.
The base model, called the Atari VCS 400 Onyx, costs $249.99. A more expensive model with more memory, dubbed the Atari VCS 800, costs $279.99. Atari is also selling a bundle for $389.99, which includes a joystick and a controller. The classic joystick and a modern controller can also be bought separately for $49.99 and $59.99, respectively. The re-introduction of the Atari comes at a time when customers are craving retro video game consoles with a modern spin.
Atari manages more than 200 games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, Pong, and RollerCoaster Tycoon.