Timezone unveiled its newly renovated space at Ayala Center Cebu’s Active Zone on May 8, 2023. This was Timezone’s flagship arcade in the Philippines in 1998, and now, 25 years later, the 710-square-meter facility boasts new rides and games such as the Spin Zone, Minecraft Dungeons Arcade, Rabbids VR: The Big Ride and the Snapshot Photo Booth.
The Cebu Timezone Arcade is the first branch to adapt the Tap and Play Card System in the Philippines. Instead of tokens and swiping, all customers have to do is tap an RFID Powercard on the machine and play their game of choice. This, among other branch upgrades, is in line with Timezone’s efforts to continue serving the community.
Timezone president and general manager Rafael Prats Jr. also highlighted the relevance of Timezone amid the rise of mobile and computer gaming: “The games Timezone offers... are communal in nature and played casually by our customers in a social setting. We offer a more immersive, shared and physical experience when playing our games. One simply cannot play our basketball and bowling games on one’s computer or mobile phone.”
This “immersive, shared, and physical experience” is a core factor of what makes Timezone special. And it is this value that has brought about plans to invite children from local communities into Timezone and “host them in a morning session so they have semi-exclusivity.” Prats remarked: “Imagine these kids experiencing VR for the first time!”
The arcade is also encouraging players to use the Timezone Fun App, which is available on the App Store and Google Play Store. The app allows players to track their balance, tickets and rewards. According to Prats, players who load up their Timezone Powercards through the app can enjoy a P150 load bonus and access multiple vouchers and discounts.
Players with existing Timezone Powercards may be eligible for an upgrade because accumulated load purchases of P3,000, P10,000, or P50,000 have an equivalent Powercard tier: Blue Elite, Gold, or Platinum, respectively. Each tier comes with its own set of perks, including discounts to Timezone Cebu’s Party Rooms.
Timezone is set to open 15 branches nationwide in the next two years. Prats emphasized Timezone’s dedication towards ensuring it continues to upgrade its games and rides in every new branch it opens. It has two spaces in Ayala Center Cebu: 2nd floor, Active Zone, and 4th floor, next to the cinema.