We have officially crossed the seas to open our very first store outside Metro Manila, and our first location in the Visayas Region, right here at SM City Cebu!
Every board game collector knows the feeling. You open the box, unfold the board, and set down the pieces, but the real magic doesn’t happen until people sit around the table. For fifteen years, that simple truth has driven everything we do at Gaming Library.
We started back in 2011 as a small online store born purely out of a passion for tabletop gaming. Over time, we grew into physical stores across Manila, bringing global titles to local shelves and building communities one game night at a time. Now, on our 15th anniversary, we’re taking the biggest step in our journey yet.
The Road to Opening (And a Lesson in Patience)
If building a board game engine has taught us anything, it’s that smooth sailing is rare. Sometimes the card draws just don't go your way.
We originally planned to welcome you all on July 26, then moved to August 1. Construction setbacks stacked up like an overly ambitious game of Jenga. Delays, unexpected hurdles, and logistics hiccups turned what was supposed to be a straight sprint into an agonizing test of endurance.
Through every delay, one thing kept us going: the Cebu Board Game Community.
Your patience, kindness, and unwavering hype during the wait blew us away. You didn't just wait quietly; you cheered us on, sent messages of support, and reminded us exactly why we wanted to come to Cebu in the first place. This store exists because of your passion, and we cannot thank you enough for sticking with us through the delays.
Step Inside: A Store Built for Gamers
We might be biased, but we truly believe our Cebu location is the best-looking Gaming Library store yet.
Located on the 2nd Floor, North Wing of SM City Cebu, the store was designed with a bright, open layout. We wanted mallgoers walking by to glance in and instantly catch the energy—the laughter over a close match, the concentration over a tactical turn, and the sheer joy of people connecting face-to-face.
A Mural fit for Folklore
The crown jewel of the store is a stunning, massive mural of the Ibong Adarna, painted by Maeva da Silva (the renowned artist behind the gorgeous board game Harmonies). Her signature ethereal, vibrant style brings our iconic Filipino mythical bird to life in a way that feels legendary, setting the tone the moment you step through the doors.
Two Levels of Pure Cardboard Joy
To make browsing effortless, we split our collection across two distinct levels of shelves:
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The Lower Level: Packed with high-energy party games, family favorites, fresh new arrivals, and our top bestsellers. If you’re looking for a quick laugh or a gift for game night, this is your zone.
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The Mezzanine Level: Dedicated to gateway games for curious beginners and deep, crunchy strategy titles for veteran tacticians.
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The Top 10 Wall: A dedicated feature highlighting what the community is playing right now. (And yes, holding down the #1 spot at the moment is the local hit, Sinigang!)
Soft Opening Special: Stack Your Savings!
To celebrate finally opening our doors and to thank you for waiting so patiently, we’re kicking things off with an exclusive Soft Opening Promo so you can level up your home collection:
🎲 Buy 3 games, get 5% OFF
🎲 Buy 5 games, get 10% OFF
This promo runs until August 31 only, so don't miss out!
Building the Tabletop Hub of Visayas
This store wasn't built just to sell boxes; it was built to give the Cebu gaming community a true home base. Having a dedicated space means we can serve local players better, no more waiting weeks for shipping or missing out on exclusive drops (Okay, fine, there is still a bit of wait, but we will move towards simultaneous release)More than that, we want to invite everyone into the fold. Whether you've played heavy euro-games for a decade or your tabletop experience starts at Monopoly, there's a seat at the table for you here.
Looking ahead, we’re gearing up to host regular board game days, community learn-to-play sessions, and competitive tournaments. We want this space buzzing with friendly rivalries, new friendships, and unforgettable game nights.
15 Years in the Making... Where to Next?
Fifteen years ago, Gaming Library was just an idea fueled by a love for rulebooks, custom dice, and good company. Watching that dream grow from a digital storefront into a vibrant network of physical spaces (and now reaching the heart of the Visayas) feels surreal.
Every game played in our stores, every shelf stocked, and every victory point scored by our players has brought us to this milestone. Cebu is a dream come true for us, but the map is still wide open.
As we look toward the future, we have to ask our community... Where should the next Gaming Library open?
Tell us where we should set up our next table in the comments below!
Come say hi! Drop by Gaming Library at SM City Cebu (2nd Floor, North Wing) today, check out the mural, browse the shelves, and let's play a game.
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library aims to be the go-to resource for board games, providing not only titles that can be enjoyed by families, but also to be enjoyed by friends both newcomers and veterans alike. By pulling from different resources from all over the world, we at Gaming Library curate an impressive collection of games for consumers to choose from, suitable for anybody from casual players to hardcore hobbyists. In doing so, we hope to provide the best means to foster activities that strengthen family ties and friendships, while teaching relevant skills and practical critical thinking that can be applied to your everyday life.
