Arcades may be built on nostalgia, but Arcade Time Machine founder Jon believes the future of arcades is just beginning.
While classic arcades created unforgettable memories for generations of gamers, Arcade Time Machine aims to combine that same excitement and social atmosphere with modern technology, immersive experiences, and data-driven improvements designed for today’s audiences.
“I didn’t want to simply recreate an old arcade,” says Jon. “I wanted to bring the arcade experience into the modern age while keeping the feeling that made arcades special in the first place.”
Inspired by childhood memories of arcades in Redcar, Jon spent years dreaming of opening his own arcade venue — a place where families and friends could stand shoulder to shoulder, compete together, and create memories through gaming.
Today, modern technology is helping make that vision possible in ways that never existed during the original golden age of arcades.
Arcade Time Machine combines retro classics with modern arcade-inspired experiences, including:
Behind the scenes, modern analytics systems are also being used to better understand which games players enjoy most, how long visitors spend on different experiences, and which arcade machines create the biggest social interaction.
“The idea is to constantly improve the experience,” says Jon. “Arcades were always evolving when I was younger. Every time you visited, there was something new to discover. I want people to feel that same excitement again.”
AI-assisted tools have also played a major role in helping build the business, supporting everything from technical troubleshooting and automation through to marketing, branding, customer experience ideas, and operational planning.
“Arcades are nostalgic, but the way we build and run entertainment businesses today is completely different,” Jon explains. “Technology allows independent businesses to create experiences that would have been impossible years ago.”
Arcade Time Machine is planned to open in July 2026 in Stockton-on-Tees.
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