Sandbox Social represents the modern evolution of family entertainment - a diverse venue featuring everything from pinball machines to VR arenas, axe throwing to mini-golf, and a full-service restaurant. Our challenge was to transform these independent attractions and systems into a cohesive digital ecosystem that enhances both guest experience and operational efficiency.

Food and Beverage, Axe Throwing, Arcade, Pinball, Connected Attractions
Web and Mobile App Development
Administrative Dashboards
Customized Booking + Digital Waiver System
API integrations
Enhanced Gamification

Sandbox Social faced a common but complex challenge in today's FEC industry: how to unify multiple independent attractions and systems into a seamless guest experience. Users do NOT want to have to download a plethora of apps in a venue to get the most out of the attractions.

While each individual attraction - from the Varbox VR arena to the Bank of Pinball's 50 premium machines - offered cutting-edge entertainment, they existed as isolated experiences. Staff juggled multiple systems for different zones, guests couldn't track their progress across attractions, and valuable data remained trapped in separate silos. The venue needed a way to transform these disconnected elements into a cohesive entertainment destination.

Data Silos:

  • Square
  • Semnox
  • Champ Throw
  • Pinball Machines
  • Varbox
  • Luckyputt
  • Tripleseat

We first needed to configure a robust cloud infrastructure along with key integrations that would allow for a much more seamless guest journey. The foundation of our solution is a powerful integration hub that connects all third-party systems - including Semnox, Square POS, Champ Throw, and various attraction-specific platforms - to our Takoha platform. This creates a single source of truth for all guest activity and enables entirely new possibilities for cross-attraction experiences.

The real magic happens in how this infrastructure transforms the guest experience. When visitors arrive at Sandbox Social, they now have access to a custom mobile app (Sandbox Social in app stores) that serves as their digital companion throughout the venue. They can order food from the restaurant, check wait times for attractions, track their progress across different games, and compete with friends - all from one interface. The app doesn't just make things more convenient; it fundamentally changes how guests interact with the venue.

For the Sandbox Social team, what was once a juggling act between different systems and screens has been transformed into a single, intuitive interface. Staff can now see real-time status of all attractions, manage bookings, and monitor guest activity all from one place. All payments now run through a single POS and payment processor, Square which saves countless hours of daily/weekly financial reconciliation.

We've also created a venue-wide progression system that drives engagement across all attractions. Whether a guest is throwing axes at Highlanders, playing pinball, or competing in the VR arena, their activities contribute to their overall profile and progression. This creates natural incentives for guests to try new experiences and return more frequently.

One of our most significant custom developments was for the Highlanders axe throwing attraction. While there were existing booking solutions in the market, none offered the level of integration we needed for a truly seamless experience. We built a custom booking and waiver system from the ground up, allowing guests to reserve lanes, complete safety waivers, and manage their sessions all through the same app they use throughout the venue. This custom solution also integrates directly with the Champ Throw scoring system, meaning that games can only begin once all the digital waivers have been signed - leaving no room for staff errors.

Looking to the future, the infrastructure we've built opens up exciting possibilities. The platform can easily accommodate new attractions and features, while the unified data collection enables unprecedented insights into guest behavior and preferences. As Sandbox Social continues to grow and evolve, the digital ecosystem will grow with them.

The real measure of success isn't just in the technical achievements, but in how invisible the technology becomes. Guests don't see the complex integrations or data processing happening behind the scenes – they just know that everything works smoothly, from ordering food to tracking their latest high score. This seamless integration of technology with physical entertainment is what sets Sandbox Social apart and points the way toward the future of family entertainment centers.