Six years after the announcement of plans to build Atari Hotels in eight cities across the US, including Las Vegas, only one now seems to be moving forward, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas deal ultimately "didn't come to fruition," spokesperson Sara Collins toldLas Vegas Sun this week, and Atari Hotels is putting its focus into the Phoenix site "for the time being."
Phoenix was always meant to be the first site, followed by other hotels in Austin, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle. But Las Vegas is now apparently off the table, and there haven't been any signs of life around the other planned locations. The FAQ on the Atari Hotels website notes, "Additional sites, including Denver, are being explored under separate development and licensing agreements." The Atari Hotel project was announced in 2020 just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequently experienced development delays. Construction on the Phoenix hotel, which was supposed to break ground in 2020, is expected to begin late this year, with its opening now planned for 2028.
But maybe don't hold your breath. According to a December press release, the company is still trying to raise $35 million to $40 million to fund the "playable destination" for gamers in Phoenix.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-plan-for-a-gaming-themed-atari-hotel-in-las-vegas-has-reportedly-been-scrapped-214212269.html?src=rss
German engineer Michaela Benthaus celebrates after her suborbital space trip. (Blue Origin via YouTube)
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture added a page to the space history books today by sending the first wheelchair user into space.
“It was the coolest experience,” said Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, a German-born aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency who sustained a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident in 2018.
Blue Origin’s suborbital New Shepard rocket ship lifted off from the company’s Launch Site One in West Texas at 8:15 a.m. CT (6:15 a.m. PT).
An initial launch attempt had been called off on Thursday because the flight team “observed an issue with our built-in checks prior to flight,” Blue Origin said. It didn’t provide further details about the issue, but today’s countdown went off without a hitch.
This was the 37th New Shepard mission, and the 16th to carry humans on a brief ride above the 100-kilometer (62-mile) altitude level that marks the internationally accepted boundary of space. Eighty-six people, including Bezos himself, have now flown on New Shepard. Six have gone multiple times.
When Benthaus lost the use of her legs, she initially thought her flight into space “was never going to happen.” But in 2022, her hopes got a big boost when she experienced a zero-G flight arranged through AstroAccess, a project that’s dedicated to paving the way for spacefliers with disabilities. Last year, she was the commander of an analog space mission conducted at the Lunares Research Station in Poland.
Now the 33-year-old has blazed a new trail for space access. “You should never give up on your dreams,” she said after today’s flight.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said in a post to the X social-media platform that the mission marked “another step toward making spaceflight accessible for everyone.” Phil Joyce, Blue Origin’s senior vice president for the New Shepard program, said in a mission recap that “Michi’s flight is particularly meaningful, demonstrating that space is for everyone, and we are proud to help her achieve this dream.”
Kent, Wash.-based Blue Origin has been working for several years to improve accessibility at its launch facility in Texas — for example, by adding an elevator to the seven-story launch tower. A business resource group named New Hawking, in honor of the late wheelchair-using physicist Stephen Hawking, helped lead the way. Blue Origin says it has previously flown people who are hard of hearing, have limited mobility or limb differences, have low vision or are legally blind.
Blue Origin didn’t need to make significant modifications in the New Shepard crew capsule for today’s flight. But launch commentator Joel Eby said the mission team made “a few ground system improvements,” such as providing a bench that Benthaus could use to get into and out of the capsule with assistance from others.
During their 10-minute flight, Benthaus and the rest of the crew rose to an altitude of 106 kilometers (65.7 miles). They experienced a few minutes of zero-gravity and views of a curving Earth against the blackness of space. At the end of the mission, the booster made an autonomous landing not far from the launch pad, while the crew capsule descended to a parachute-assisted touchdown in the West Texas desert.
Afterward, Benthaus said she enjoyed the ride. “I tried to turn upside-down,” she said.
The crew for Blue Origin’s NS-37 suborbital space flight includes, from left, Neal Milch, Michi Benthaus, Hans Koenigsmann, Adonis Pouroulis, Jason Stansell and Joey Hyde. (Blue Origin Photo)
Benthaus’ crewmates included:
Joey Hyde, a physicist and quantitative investor who recently retired from his career at Citadel, a leading hedge fund. He lives in Florida with his wife and five children.
Hans Koenigsmann, a German-American aerospace engineer whose career has been dedicated to advancing reusable spacecraft and launch vehicles, most notably as an early team member at SpaceX. Koenigsmann played a supporting role in arranging Benthaus’ flight and occasionally helped her get around. After landing, Koenigsmann said the spaceflight was “actually more intense than I thought.”
Neal Milch, a business executive and entrepreneur who launched his career through Laundrylux, a family-owned business. He now serves as the chair of the Board of Trustees at the Jackson Laboratory, a nonprofit biomedical research institute.
Adonis Pouroulis, an entrepreneur, investor and mining engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the natural resources and energy sector. He is the founder and chairman of Pella Resources, co-founder of Energy Revolution Ventures, chairman of Rainbow Rare Earths, and the CEO of Chariot Limited.
Jason Stansell, a computer scientist and a self-proclaimed space nerd rooted in West Texas. He’s been watching from a front-row seat as the space industry has expanded to offer opportunities for commercial spaceflight.
Blue Origin typically doesn’t reveal how much people pay to take trips on New Shepard. In some cases, crew members have flown as invited guests. On the other end of the spectrum, crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun paid $28 million for a ticket in a widely publicized auction.
Update for 8:40 a.m. PT: NASA’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, congratulated Blue Origin and the NS-37 crew, with special shout-outs for Koenigsmann and Benthaus:
Congrats to the Blue Origin team and the NS-37 crew–including @HansKoenigsmann one of the great engineers of this new era. His work enabled so many to reach space–I am glad he finally made the journey himself. pic.twitter.com/hgtKRSZpPq
As Portland prepares for Best in Weed Week, happening December 8–14, 2025, the city is gearing up to celebrate one of Oregon’s most defining industries—cannabis. Hosted and promoted by Willamette Week, this weeklong event spotlights award-winning growers, innovative brands, and the dispensaries that have made the Portland area a true cannabis destination. More than just […]
If you’re weary of Insta-itineraries and whirlwind checklists, perhaps it’s time to let Nagaland happen to you—slowly, deliberately, and with the grace of a place untouched by frenzy. This Northeastern gem invites not a race, but a pause. Here, you don’t “do” a holiday; you dwell in it.
Landing Lightly: Dimapur to Kohima
The gateway to Nagaland is surprisingly accessible—courtesy a direct flight from Delhi to Dimapur. No layovers, no fuss. From Dimapur, it’s a picturesque 90-minute drive to Kohima, the state’s capital, where the hills roll in like a lullaby and time decides to take the long road. For those who prefer to stay in Dimapur, you’re still in the heart of it all—with the added advantage of being just 20 minutes from Khatkhati in Assam, where the spirit flows a little more freely (more on that in a bit).
A Walk Through History
Kohima holds within it the whispers of the past. The Kohima War Cemetery, perched gracefully over green slopes, honours the brave who fought in one of World War II’s fiercest battles. It’s not just a site; it’s a silenced storyteller. The epitaph that reads “When you go home, tell them of us…” is reason enough to spend a moment longer in reflection.
Where Culture Lives On: Hornbill Village and the 16 Tribes of Nagaland
Nagaland is home to over a hundred tribes, each with its own dialect, traditions, and legacy. Among these, 16 are officially recognised as major tribes, and their presence is vividly brought to life in the Hornbill Village—a living museum where tradition stands tall.
Here, tribal architecture tells you as much as the elders do. You can walk through authentically built morungs (dormitories), see traditional weaponry once used in headhunting days, and witness daily practices that have survived centuries. The Hornbill Festival in December showcases all this and more—dance, folklore, crafts, and cuisines that are as layered as the land.
Food for the Soul—and the Stomach
Now, here’s the delightful surprise: while Nagaland’s indigenous cuisine is a delight of lightly spiced, easy-to-digest dishes—think bamboo shoot pork, fresh river fish, sticky rice—there’s no dearth of North Indian comfort food either. Craving choley bhature, jalebi, or a good old paratha? You’ll find it in Kohima’s modest eateries and hotels, served with the warmth of familiarity and a view to match.
The Other Side of the Border: Khatkhati and Dark Knight Distillery
Nagaland may be officially dry, but that doesn’t mean you’re cut off from your evening pour. A short ride to Khatkhati, across the Assam border, brings you to a clutch of bars and the emerging jewel of the local spirits scene—Dark Knight Distillery.
Here, I had the pleasure of sampling their range, including Infamous, a premium small-batch whisky with a smooth finish and surprisingly nuanced profile, and bought Lost Treasure, a cold brew coffee rum for home as a souvenir.
Vicky Chand, the affable founder of Dark Knight, told me over a dram, “The response to Infamous has been overwhelming. We’re still keeping it small-batch to retain quality, but expansion plans are definitely brewing.”
The distillery’s use of fresh, mineral-rich river water and the region’s pristine weather offer the perfect canvas for whisky aging. “We may be off the radar for now,” Chand adds, “but it won’t be long before Northeast whiskies hold their own in the Indian and even international markets.”
Souvenirs That Tell a Story
Don’t leave without picking up a bottle of Infamous—its bold character and striking design make it a gift worthy of your shelf.
Handwoven Naga shawls, each tribe with its distinct pattern, ideal as a wrap or a wall accent.
Tribal jewelry made from beads, bones, and brass—rustic, sustainable, and deeply symbolic.
Bamboo and cane artifacts, from baskets to lampshades, crafted by local artisans.
Smoked pork or dried bamboo shoot, vacuum-packed and available at select markets in Kohima.
Locally grown wild Naga chillies, both fresh and in pickled form, for those who like their food fiery.
Why Go Slow?
Because Nagaland isn’t about sightseeing—it’s about seeing, feeling, and connecting. It’s about learning to savour again—whether it’s a bite of Naga stew, a verse of war history, or a sip of whisky with stories steeped in rainwater and rebellion.
So, take that flight. Take your time. Let Nagaland linger.
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