Atari, the entertainment company behind classic games like Pong and Asteroids, has made a deal with GSD Group to build video game-themed Atari Hotels in the United States. The first location is expected to break ground in mid-2020 in Phoenix, with additional hotels planned in Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.
Shelly Murphy’s GSD Group and Napoleon Smith III, the producer of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film franchise reboot, will lead hotel development and design. True North Studio, a Phoenix-based real estate developer, is working with GSD Group and Steve Wozniak’s Woz Innovation Foundation to develop the Phoenix hotel.
“Together we’ll build a space that will be much more than just a place to stay,” said Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari, said in a statement. “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.”
Atari Hotels will offer immersive experiences for all ages and gaming ability, including the latest in virtual and augmented reality. Select hotels will also feature venues and studios to accommodate esports events.
“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,” Smith said in a statement.