Atari Is Opening A Chain Of E-Sports Hotels
Nerds, gamers, & nostalgic Gen X & Y-ers rejoice!
According to a press release on the Atari site, they've 'acquired the rights to build video game-themed Atari Hotels in the United States, with the first location breaking ground in Phoenix, AZ later this year'.
Atari, a trailblazer in the gaming industry, is pioneering an exciting new concept: a unique lodging experience combining the iconic brand with a one-of-a-kind video game-themed destination. Atari Hotels level up hotel entertainment with fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including 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.
That's a pretty big move from a company I only remember for playing 'Pong' on a dusty old system in my neighbor's basement in the early 1990s... but obviously they've done the research & it seems like a verrrry smart move these days:
More than 2.5 billion gamers across the world spent more than $152.1 billion (US) on games in 2019 alone; an increase of +9.6% year on year. One of the most distinctive trends in gaming is gamers gravitating toward recognizable intellectual property. Atari Hotels will offer consumers exactly that, marrying the origins of gaming and the future of the booming industry into a fun and unique travel destination.
Honestly, I'd stay there if the rooms had those old Atari systems in them… I miss the non-alcohol-Pong days sometimes…
My guess is the mini bars will be stocked with Mountain Dew Code Reds, various cheese-powdered corn chips, and wide mouthed piss bottles. Hoping they have good pillows, too, so General Smitty & the Gametime Gang will be right at home when they travel..