If you're one of the lucky few who is actually able to cast their minds back to anything before March 2020, you might remember the strange announcement that video game company and console maker Atari will be opening a range of gaming and pop culture hotels throughout America.
Atari confirmed back in January that it would begin construction on the first hotel in spring, with the first location opening in Phoenix, Arizona. Las Vegas would open second, followed eventually by hotels in Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose. According to its website, Atari hotels will feature 'fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including the latest in VR and AR'.
Building might not have gone quite to plan over spring for reasons entirely out of Atari's control, but GSD Group and Gensler have released a first-look at the concept art for the venture, giving us some idea of what an Atari hotel might look like. As you can see below, in wouldn't look entirely out of place in a game like Cyberpunk 2077.
Atari, a company you probably know best for classics like PONG and Asteroids, is looking to offer "guests a wholly unique hospitality experience inspired by, and built with, classic and modern video game culture in mind". Players/guests will get to "enjoy the latest in video games, experience cutting-edge immersive entertainment, purchase exclusive Atari Hotels merchandise, and play the night away in retro-style gaming arcades."
Advert
There are also plans in place for themed bars and restaurants, as well as a nightclub, which sounds completely wild. We have no idea how much these hotels will actually cost when they finally open, but I'd imagine they'll be considerably more than a quick one-night stay at the IBIS Budget up the road.
"I have seen the vision that GSD Group has for Atari Hotels, and they are poised to shatter the perception of what hotels can be," said Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari in a press release. "Atari Hotels will create a world that caters to gamers of all ages and experience levels, giving them a place to call home - a groundbreaking experience that shares Atari's legacy of innovation."
Featured Image Credit: AtariTopics: Atari, Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red