Timezone (video arcades)

Last updated

Timezone
Company type Subsidiary
PredecessorMystery Pinball
Founded15 May 1978, 45 years ago
Perth, Western Australia
FounderMalcolm Steinberg
Headquarters
Sydney
,
Australia
Area served
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • India
  • Singapore
  • Vietnam
  • Philippines
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia (Defunct)
Parent The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG)
Website www.timezonegames.com
Timezone logo circa 1990s Timezone Arcade Australia Old Logo.png
Timezone logo circa 1990s
Timezone Arcade Singapore in 2018 A modern-day family entertainment center or 'arcade' in Singapore..jpg
Timezone Arcade Singapore in 2018
Timezone Arcade in 2022 StocklandRockhamptonInternal6.jpg
Timezone Arcade in 2022
Staff Door at Timezone Henderson in April 2023 Timezone Staff Door Henderson.jpg
Staff Door at Timezone Henderson in April 2023

Timezone is an international chain of family entertainment centres and amusement arcade centres based in Australia. It is owned and operated by The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG). Outside of Australia, Timezone is currently operating in India, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Contents

History

In 1958, Malcolm Steinberg's father gave him 21 pinball machines. In Perth, the 18-year-old struck deals to place the pinballs in fish and chip shops and milk bars in exchange for half the earnings. [1]

Steinberg's company Leisure & Allied Industries (LAI), which manufactured and imported arcade games, entered the video game retail market in the early 1970s with its first two stores, Blue Pumpernickel and Crystal Palace. In 1978, Steinberg opened the first Timezone — his first arcade — on Murray Street, Perth. He also relaunched the stores under the new brand. Timezone was successful, reaching a peak of eight stores in Western Australia. [2] [3]

Timezone began to expand outside the state in the early 1980s. From 1989 to 1991, LAI opened 25 locations. [2]

In 1995, Timezone started their ventures outside Australia. [4] The first venture opened in Bali, Indonesia. The Indonesian operations is currently owned by PT Matahari Graha Fantasi (named after the Matahari chain of department stores), a member of the Lippo Group.

In 2003, Timezone Malaysia closed due to collapse of venue after three years of operation, having opened in 1999.

In December 2017, TEEG announced that they had purchased the bowling and entertainment division of Ardent Leisure in order to merge it with its Timezone entertainment business, forming a combined entertainment group encompassing Timezone, AMF, Kingpin and Playtime, one of the world's largest family entertainment centre groups. TEEG operates in six countries with over 250 locations. [5] All AMF bowling centres in Australia were rebranded as Zone Bowling. [1] Centres in New Zealand were rebranded Xtreme Entertainment. [6] In November 2018, TEEG purchased all PLAYTIME venues and slowly rebranded them to Timezone with the last PLAYTIME converted to Timezone in June 2019. [2]

In February 2019, TEEG opened its first of many dual branded venues of Zone Bowling and Timezone locations in Westfield Garden City. [7]

In 2019, TEEG began rebranding their existing New Zealand bowling centres, Xtreme Entertainment, as dual-branded Zone Bowling and Timezone venues, beginning with their Garden City (Christchurch) venue.

In July 2021, After 20 years, TEEG made Timezone's return into South Australia by opening up a dual branded venue in Woodville, SA. [3] In the same month, TEEG made a deal to purchase all TunzaFun locations in South Australia and Victoria and rebrand these to under Timezone venues, with Tea Tree Plaza, Elizabeth and Fountain Gate stores to be the first to be rebranded. [8]

Powercard

Timezone Welcome Powercard Timezone welcome red card.jpg
Timezone Welcome Powercard
Timezone Blue Elite Powercard Timezone blue card.jpg
Timezone Blue Elite Powercard
Timezone arcade ticket, back and front Timezone Arcade Ticket.jpg
Timezone arcade ticket, back and front

Timezone arcade system moved to a magnetic swipecard system known as the Timezone Powercard.[ when? ] This meant that customers, rather than having to carry many coins around, could simply deposit a larger amount of money (for example, $10) onto their Powercard account. In order to use an arcade machine, they simply had to swipe their card through a detector located on the machine, and the credit would be deduced from the card account. This system was supplied by Australian company Embed International. Tap-to-play cards are now currently available in the Singapore, Philippine and Vietnam franchises and are beginning to be rolled out across Australian franchises as of December 2018.[ needs update ] In the Philippines, however, the cards are hybrid tap-and-swipe, as not all branches have tap card compatibility yet. Newer branches have tap-only functionality as default, which will soon be implemented in other stores.

In 2004, paper tickets for ticket redemption arcade machines were replaced with electronic tickets automatically loading on the card. Eventually, tickets were now dispensing again instead of automatically loading on the card, prevalent in the India, Philippines, and Singapore franchises. In the India and Philippines franchises, a rare golden ticket allows the player to earn an extra 500-1000 tickets.

As of 2005, Timezone Powerclub credit in Australia lasted one year from the date of credit and the cards could only be used at the original store of purchase.

As of 2008, after many Timezone stores closed, balances can be used at any venue regardless of where the credit was put on. However, in order to progress to the higher Powerclub levels, customers can only put credit on at the venue which issued the card, or in some franchises, Fun Points can be earned by loading a specific number to reach a certain threshold for upgrade. The exception to this is where the issuing venue has subsequently closed down and a new "home venue" has been selected. Fun Points, which is used in Philippine-based stores, have been abolished on 2022 in favor of a new uniform Timezone Rewards system (also used in other countries) which allows earning of rewards and progression to higher levels freely.

Timezone branches in Indonesia use TIZO as their game currency instead of their respective currency.

Timezone Rewards

A Timezone amusement arcade at Stockland Rockhampton, 2022 StocklandRockhamptonInternal18.png
A Timezone amusement arcade at Stockland Rockhampton, 2022

Timezone Rewards is Timezone's loyalty program which offers incentives and benefits according to membership tiers or levels. Qualifying criteria for each tier varies from country to county. The structure in Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines, [9] and Singapore is reflected as:

The Timezone Welcome Powercard is the entry tier where members start accumulating reward credits and receiving benefits. The Powercard for this tier is red.

The Blue Elite is the second tier, upgraded from a Welcome tier, issued when a set cumulative amount has been loaded onto a Powercard. This card offers discounts and extra benefits.

The Gold tier issued when a set cumulative amount is attained. The Gold tier offers a host of benefits such as bonus game credits, e-tickets, discounts and other exclusive offers.

The Timezone Platinum tier is the highest level and most exclusive reward level. This tier offers VVIP pricing on game play and a lot more freebies such as free games everyday, complimentary drinks and more.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EFTPOS</span> Type of electronic payment system

Electronic funds transfer at point of sale is an electronic payment system involving electronic funds transfers based on the use of payment cards, such as debit cards or credit cards, at payment terminals located at points of sale. EFTPOS technology was developed during the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Convenience store</span> Small store that stocks a range of everyday items

A convenience store, bodega, convenience shop, corner store or corner shop is a small retail store that stocks a range of everyday items such as tea, coffee, groceries, fruits, vegetables, snacks, confectionery, soft drinks, ice creams, tobacco products, lottery tickets, over-the-counter drugs, toiletries, newspapers and magazines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck E. Cheese</span> US arcade / themed pizza entertainment chain

Chuck E. Cheese is a chain of American family entertainment centers and restaurants founded in 1977 by Atari's co-founder Nolan Bushnell. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, each location features arcade games, amusement rides and musical shows in addition to serving pizza and other food items; former mainstays included ball pits, crawl tubes, and animatronic shows. The chain's name is taken from its main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese. The first location opened as Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California. It was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment, thus being one of the pioneers for the "family entertainment center" concept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave & Buster's</span> American restaurant and entertainment business

Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. is an American restaurant and entertainment business headquartered in Dallas. Each Dave & Buster's location has a full-service restaurant, full bar, and a video arcade; the latter of which is iconically known as the "Million Dollar Midway". As of September 2023, the company currently has a total of 156 locations in the United States, two in Puerto Rico and two in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video Ezy</span> Defunct Australian home video rental business

Video Ezy was an Australian home video rental business that offered titles on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray, as well as console video games, for rent. At its peak in the mid-2000s, Video Ezy had over 500 company-owned and franchised video rental shops in the country, and owned 40% of the Australian video rental market after taking over Blockbuster's Australian operations. The company also expanded internationally into New Zealand and Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AMF Bowling</span> Bowling center operator and equipment manufacturer

AMF Bowling is a major operator of bowling centers and major manufacturer of bowling equipment.

A family entertainment center (FEC) in the entertainment industry, also known as an indoor amusement park, family amusement center, family fun center, soft play, or simply fun center, is a small amusement park marketed towards families with small children to teenagers, often entirely indoors. They usually cater to "sub-regional markets of larger metropolitan areas." FECs are generally small compared to full-scale amusement parks, with fewer attractions, a lower per-person per-hour cost to consumers than a traditional amusement park, and not usually major tourist attractions, but sustained by an area customer base. Many are locally owned and operated, although there are a number of chains and franchises in the field. Some, operated by non-profit organizations as children's museums or science museums, tend to be geared toward edutainment experiences rather than simply amusement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mall Taman Anggrek</span> Shopping mall in West Jakarta, Indonesia

Mal Taman Anggrek, translated to "Orchid Garden Mall" in English, is a shopping mall in Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, Indonesia. The mall is named after a real orchid garden within the now-demolished Orchid Hotel site, which occupied the building site prior to construction; that orchid garden has since been relocated near Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westfield Miranda</span> Shopping mall in Miranda, New South Wales

Westfield Miranda is a large shopping centre in the suburb of Miranda in Sutherland Shire of Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woolworths Supermarkets</span> Australian multinational supermarket chain owned by Woolworths Group

Woolworths Supermarkets is an Australian chain of supermarkets and grocery stores owned by Woolworths Group. Founded in 1924, Woolworths today is Australia's biggest supermarket chain with a market share of 33% as of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caltex</span> International petroleum brand owned by Chevron Corporation

Caltex is a petroleum brand name of Chevron Corporation used in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and Southern Africa. Headquartered in Singapore, it is also the brand name of non-Chevron petroleum companies in some countries under a trademark licensing agreement with Chevron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullwinkle's Restaurant</span> American family entertainment center chain

Bullwinkle's Entertainment, previously known as Family Fun Centers & Bullwinkle's Restaurant and formerly Bullwinkle's Family Food n' Fun is a chain of family entertainment centers. Locations feature a sit-down restaurant, complemented by arcade games, go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, laser tag, a ropes course, a zip line, and small rides for children. Games and activities are generally themed around the company's namesake, The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Hill Chase</span> Shopping center in Forest Hill, Melbourne, Australia

Forest Hill Chase is a major regional shopping centre located in the eastern suburb of Forest Hill in Melbourne, Australia. Owned and managed by Haben, the centre is among the oldest in Victoria, opening on 30 June 1964 as an outdoor strip shopping centre, before being developed over the years into its current three level indoor form. Currently, Forest Hill Chase contains 200 stores and over 3500 free car parking spaces. The centre has three supermarkets, two discount department stores and some smaller anchor stores. The architecture is distinguished by a roof of polycarbonate construction with a barrel vault design.

Sega World, sometimes stylized as SegaWorld, is a formerly international chain of amusement arcades and entertainment centers created by Sega.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top Ryde City</span> Shopping mall in New South Wales, Australia

Top Ryde City is a large indoor/outdoor shopping centre owned by The Blackstone Group. It is located in the suburb of Ryde in Northern Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riverbanks Center</span> Shopping mall in Marikina, Metro Manila

Riverbanks Center is an integrated development complex for shopping, recreational, business and commercial along Andres Bonifacio Avenue adjacent to Marikina River in Barangka, Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is home of the Philippine's biggest outdoor amphitheater and outlet center, and the location of once the world's largest pair of shoes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bushiroad</span> Japanese video game publisher and card game company

Bushiroad Inc. is a Japanese entertainment company, producer of collectible card games and trading cards, publisher of mobile apps and games, promotional items and many other venues, which was founded in 2007 by Takaaki Kidani and is headquartered in Tokyo. Bushiroad created and owns various media franchises such as Tantei Opera Milky Holmes. Since 2019, Bushiroad is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and has traded on the TSE since its launch on July 24, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zone Bowling</span> Australian operator of ten-pin bowling alleys

Zone Bowling is a group of bowling centers in Australia and New Zealand currently owned and operated by The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG). Zone Bowling has 34 locations across Australia, and three locations across New Zealand.

Holey Moley is an entertainment bar chain owned by Australian entertainment company Funlab. Each location includes miniature golf courses featuring pop culture themes from television shows and classic films. As of 2019 it operates more than 15 locations in Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand.

References

  1. 1 2 "AMF is now Zone Bowling" . Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Playtime changes to Timezone". Timezone Australia. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 "A New Chapter for family Fun in Adelaide". TEEG. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  4. About Us. Timezone Australia website. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  5. "The Entertainment and Education Group Acquires Ardent's Bowling and Entertainment Division". Quadrant Private Equity. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  6. "AMF Bowling is joining Xtreme Entertainment". www.amfbowling.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  7. "Group Timeline from TEEG". TEEG. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  8. "TunzaFun website about transformation to Timezone". Tunzafun Elizabeth. 26 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  9. "Play with Timezone Powercards - Timezone Card Price Philippines". Timezone Philippines. Retrieved 24 February 2023.