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Shift Arcade is now open in a pop-up space at San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch, with a permanent home set to open on the shopping center’s upper floor later in 2025. (Photo courtesy Sunset Development Company)

Visitors at San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch now have one more entertainment option available as the shopping center continues to see businesses come and go, with Shift Arcade now open in a pop-up space in the lower level ahead of moving to a permanent home in the upper level later this year.

The 1,499-square-foot pop-up space is located near Optical Illusions and The Slanted Door, focusing on a “premium motorsport adventure” and seeking to offer a “fully immersive racing experience” via 30-minute driving simulations that consist of realistic controls, views, and feedback, according to an announcement from City Center officials Thursday.

“Shift Arcade is more than just an entertainment venue, it’s a destination for motorsport enthusiasts to connect with their passion,” said Paul Baillie, owner of Shift Arcade. “We offer a premium, immersive experience that brings the thrill of the track to everyone in a social, accessible way.”

Virtual drivers at Shift can choose from an array of luxury car brands and 500 different tracks, with the experience enabling them to feel “every turn, bump, and burst of acceleration,” according to the announcement from City Center, providing a new take on the classic arcade model that focuses specifically on simulated racing using the latest technology.

“Our mission is to make sim racing as well-known and beloved as going to the movies or bowling – a go-to activity for friends and families alike,” Baillie said. “City Center was a natural fit for us, as it already has a vibrant community hub where people come together for fun and entertainment.”

The feeling of a natural fit for the arcade was mutual, according to officials with Sunset Development, which owns and operates City Center.

“Shift Arcade brings a new layer of energy to City Center with an experience that seamlessly blends technology, competition and fun,” said Jeff Dodd, senior vice president at Sunset Development. “These dynamic additions reflect our commitment to offering the community fresh, forward-thinking ways to dine, connect and play.”

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Jeanita Lyman is a second-generation Bay Area local who has been closely observing the changes to her home and surrounding area since childhood. Since coming aboard the Pleasanton Weekly staff in 2021,...

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