We are geeking out over this video game lovers’ paradise.
An Atari-themed hotel is coming to Seattle! The famed corporation, founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, is one of the original leaders of the video game industry. The company owns and manages over 200 games and franchises and is responsible for bringing us some of the most influential games from our childhood, including Pong, Asteroids, and Space Invaders. And who could forget Pac-Man?
Back in January, Atari announced a licensing agreement had been signed with GSD Group and True North Studio to build eight branded hotels across the U.S. The first two hotels will open in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and will be followed by locations in San Francisco, San Jose, Austin, Chicago, Denver and our very own Seattle.
“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, managing partner of Atari Hotels, in a press release.
Hotels are set to feature the latest in video games and cutting-edge immersive technology, including virtual and augmented reality. Guests will also be able to enjoy retro-style arcades, themed restaurants and bars, and some locations will even have venues for esports events. Plans for the Las Vegas hotel also include, of course, a casino.
No official dates have been released, but developers plan to break ground for the Phoenix hotel by the end of this year, and hope to open the Las Vegas location by the end of 2022. Fingers crossed that Seattle is next!
[Featured image: Atari Hotels]