LOCATION: Lausanne, Switzerland Photo above is property of Evade Escape Game Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Sentinel 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 23, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CHF 138-220 ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (53:00) 📖 THE STORY Inherit the legacy of your grandfather Henry, a renowned archaeologist and secret guardian of a hidden treasure. After his passing, his mysterious old house becomes your playground — filled with cryptic clues, booby traps, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. A cassette marked with your name reveals your destiny: to follow in his footsteps as a sentinel, protecting the treasure from those who seek it. Solve intricate puzzles, decode hidden messages, and outwit rival treasure hunters in this immersive escape room adventure. Logic, observation, and teamwork will be your greatest weapons. Do you have what it takes to unravel the secrets of the Sentinel and claim your place as the worthy heir? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We really liked the inclusion of the fairy character that was with us throughout, providing both clues and story updates. We even got to see how she looked towards the end when she appeared on a TV screen. Her inclusion offered a bit more whimsy and magic to the adventure. The look of the game was also impressive, although I do wish they’d pushed themselves a little further to make the rooms look less … ‘roomy’. But, what we did like was the assortment of fantasy props and furniture pieces, particularly the doors which had been beautifully transformed to look like anything other than a regular door. The game made excellent use of special effects, particularly lighting cues to indicate when portals or doors had opened. This clever feature solved a common issue in escape rooms where players might miss key progressions. The lighting was seamlessly integrated, enhancing both the aesthetic and functionality. There is a good variety of puzzles to solve, ranging from searching to decoding, memory, team-based, and even a little yoga making! The assortment offers teams plenty to do and are well suited to families and less experienced players. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While there were no major flaws, a few decorative choices slightly diminished the level of immersion. The puzzles, although fun and engaging, could have been better tied to the narrative. They often felt like standalone challenges rather than integral parts of the story. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This game is designed with families in mind, thanks to its accessible puzzles and enchanting theme. The Sentinel delivers an engaging adventure that encourages teamwork and leaves players with smiles on their faces. However, the price point feels high for the overall experience. If budget isn't a concern, it's definitely worth playing. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is very limited free parking in front, however none was available on our visit. There is a public car park (fee required) within a 5-10 minute walk from the escape center. There are toilets on site, and as mentioned above a comfortable reception area with chairs, a sofa, lockers, and drinks/games for sale. The games are all available in English or French. The rooms are CASH ONLY, although they do accept TWINT (with a small fee). There is no ATM at the location or in the nearby vicinity that we could find. Potentially possible to play in a wheelchair, however there are some tight spaces to transition. Photos above are property of Evade Escape Game (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Evade Escape Game for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Fantasy #EvadeEscapeGame #Switzerland

LOCATION: Lausanne, Switzerland Photo above is property of Evade Escape Game Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Blackmail 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 23, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adult Erotica 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CHF 138-220 ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (40:00) 📖 THE STORY An anonymous letter exposes compromising photos, with a ransom demand attached. Refusing to give in, you and your team set a trap — but it backfires. Knocked out and captured, you awaken in the blackmailer's eerie dungeon. Now , you must outwit your captor, solve puzzles, and recover the incriminating photos before they ruin your life. Can you escape before time runs out? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The theme was definitely a standout feature for us. After playing numerous escape rooms, it's refreshing to encounter something so unique and memorable. Despite the outrageous story and inevitable hilarious moments, the game maintains a serious tone, reminding us that completing the mission is the ultimate goal. Alongside the strong narrative, the set design is dramatic and immersive, packed with more 'toys' than some adult stores! Naturally, we couldn't resist a bit of playful exploration — and the provocative movie playing on the TV certainly served as an amusing distraction (we're sure that's intentional!). The puzzles strike a great balance between cheeky, saucy tasks and more traditional escape room challenges, ensuring both laughs and brain-teasing moments. We particularly enjoyed the hands-on interactions with the props and those puzzles that encouraged us to pay closer attention to the TV ... if they ask us to watch, it'd be rude not to 😉. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Our biggest gripe was the overall condition of the room, which is definitely showing its age. Worn furniture, damaged props, and scuffed walls — particularly the photo frames — detracted slightly from the immersive experience. However, one could argue that this adds to the sleazy atmosphere the designers were aiming for. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Blackmail " is designed to shock and amuse, blending racy visuals with inventive puzzles. For players with a sense of humor looking for something edgy and unconventional, this game is an absolute blast. Just remember — this is strictly adults only! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is very limited free parking in front, however none was available on our visit. There is a public car park (fee required) within a 5-10 minute walk from the escape center. There are toilets on site, and as mentioned above a comfortable reception area with chairs, a sofa, lockers, and drinks/games for sale. The games are all available in English or French. The rooms are CASH ONLY, although they do accept TWINT (with a small fee). There is no ATM at the location or in the nearby vicinity that we could find. Some crawling is required Photos above are property of Evade Escape Game (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Evade Escape Game for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Adult #Erotica #EvadeEscapeGame #Switzerland

LOCATION: Lausanne, Switzerland Photo above is property of Evade Escape Game Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Amazonia 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 23, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CHF 138-220 ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (40:00) 📖 THE STORY On a mission for the Brazilian government, you investigate the mysterious disappearance of villages near the Amazon rainforest. Whispers of dark figures and chilling screams lead you to a grim truth — the "La Familia do Norte" cartel is running a human trafficking operation deep in the jungle. To expose them, you'll navigate the dense forest, crack intricate puzzles, and dodge deadly traps — all while the cartel hunts you down. Time is running out. Will you unveil the conspiracy or become their next victim? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Of the three games we played at EVADE, this one offered the most immersive introduction. Our GM, dressed in full government military uniform, set the tone perfectly by escorting us to the game entrance, which was adorned with evidence of the criminal gang’s activities. The backstory and mission objectives were clearly communicated, building anticipation before we were separated into individual cells to kick off the experience. The game immediately challenged our teamwork with several cooperative puzzles that required clear communication to reunite the group. As fans of collaborative tasks in escape rooms, we found this a strong and engaging start. The jungle aesthetic, while not overly elaborate, was effective. Foliage-covered walls and subtle decorative touches created a convincing Amazonian atmosphere, while the shipping containers used to imprison us felt authentic and added to the immersion. A diverse mix of puzzles kept the gameplay dynamic, incorporating dexterity, communication, observation, and decoding. The hands-on nature of many tasks further enhanced the sense of realism and kept us fully engaged. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The game’s biggest drawback was its multi-use approach on two puzzles. This goes against the widely accepted “unwritten rule” of escape rooms that items and information should only be used once unless explicitly stated otherwise. For experienced players, this lack of clarity caused unnecessary confusion and broke the game’s otherwise smooth flow. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a fun and dynamic escape room best suited for teams of 2-4 players, regardless of experience level. The variety of puzzles ensures no two tasks feel repetitive, and the immersive setup creates an exciting atmosphere. However, the game’s price point feels steep for what is ultimately delivered. If budget isn't a concern, it's definitely worth playing — just be prepared to think outside the usual escape room conventions. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is very limited free parking in front, however none was available on our visit. There is a public car park (fee required) within a 5-10 minute walk from the escape center. There are toilets on site, and as mentioned above a comfortable reception area with chairs, a sofa, lockers, and drinks/games for sale. The games are all available in English or French. The rooms are CASH ONLY, although they do accept TWINT (with a small fee). There is no ATM at the location or in the nearby vicinity that we could find. Some crawling is required Photos above are property of Evade Escape Game (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Evade Escape Game for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Adventure #EvadeEscapeGame #Switzerland

Looking for something to do during this holiday season? Check out the list of escape rooms and at-home games we've compiled for you that are holiday themed! You might find some "discount codes" in there as well from the companies as a gift of appreciation to you! We also found some cool games/gift ideas for your holiday shopping! Here's the list! Lastly, here's a FREE puzzle game created by Edaqa's Room for us. If you enjoyed that, check out his other games as well - HERE! From the team at ESCAPETHEROOMers, we wish you a happy holiday! #christmas #holidays #holidaygames #escapetheroomers #2022holidaygames

IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN! For anyone who missed out on ER Champ last year, be sure to sign up NOW! ER Champ is a FREE competition organized and designed by our friends at lock.me (Fun fact: they are also the creators of Escape Tales!) Their main goal is to promote the escape room industry and provide entertainment to people from all over the world. Originally, the event was staged in real life escape rooms located in Poland but due to the pandemic the format has converted to online. All the games will be presented in a point-n-click format. You can join as a team of 2 - 4 players where one player will act as the captain. There'll be 3 rounds before the winners will be announced (prizes to be determined): October 8, 2022 | 16:00 UTC - Stress test - test of the elimination system November 5, 2022 | 16:00 UTC - Elimination stage - a point and click game November 26, 2022 | 16:00 UTC - Grand Finale - top 100 teams will compete for the title of the champions If you get into the top 100, you'll get an invite from them to join a secret FB page group but for now you can just subscribe to their main page for updates. Time and hints used will be calculated into your final score. During each round, you will see live updates on each team's performance on their Facebook. The final result will be published later after verification in case of any cheating. This is our third year being their media patron and we are super eager to see what they've created! Apparently this year's plot revolves around a clinic? Perhaps something to do with Soulmenders? This is all we know... Updated Nov 29th, 2022 - RESULTS ARE IN! Who are the winners? Click HERE to find out!!! This year the competition attracted more than 2,000 players who formed 660 teams. More than 6.5 million actions were performed during the elimination stage! We can't wait for next year! #erchamp #escaperoomchampion #pointnclick #game #event

I know you've been waiting for this moment! It's now time to stock up on gift cards and games at a very discounted price! Check out the LIST of games from all over the world we have compiled for you to make your shopping easier! Now BUY BUY BUY! #blackfridaysale #cybermondaysale #games #escaperooms

We had so much fun guest starring last time on The Infinite Escape Room with Jon, we had to come back again when given the opportunity. This time, our incredibly witty host, Jamie a/k/a the Armchair Escapist, was exceptional and once again we had an amazing time with the team (Cici only realized in the middle of the game that Mike was actually on our side). "The Infinite Escape Room" is a podcast in the UK that creates original content where they mix up hilarious "choose your own adventure" stories along with entertaining puzzles. We highly recommend giving them a subscribe. For further support, check out their Patreon page. Photo above is property of The Infinite Escape Room Photo above is property of The Infinite Escape Room #BrandonChow #Articles #Events #EscapeRooms #TheInfiniteEscapeRoom #AudioEscapeRoom #Guest

BOOOOoooooo! I see you!!! Happy Halloween! Looking for something fun to do? We've compiled a list of escape rooms, at home games and free games from all over the world for you! Check out what's happening in your neighborhood and if you're lucky, you might even find a yummy "discount code" treat for the games! From the team at ESCAPETHEROOMers, we wish you a spooky but safe Halloween 2022!!! Click HERE for the Halloween Game List (Currently it's sorted by Country, feel free to use the sort button on top to your needs). #freegames #halloween2022 #halloweengames #escaperooms #athomegames

Written by: Mike Schnurr, ESCAPETHEROOMers // Writer In order to get the most when going to an immersive theater production, one needs to be familiar with how a show works. As this is a fairly niche artform, not all are familiar and some people may be scratching their heads at the end in confusion. Immersive shows are some of the most intimate forms of artwork due to the nature of blurring participation and perception. This is a list to prepare you for your first show to get the most out of the runtime and hopefully seek out other similar experiences. Note: This is a generalization and while I personally have been to multiple shows, the creators of each production aim to make a show their own. Not all tips will be applicable for all shows but the tips listed below are a good starting point if this is a new industry for you. There is no proper way to see the show. It is all about what you want to do in the production's runtime. When you see a theatrical production, all of the action happens on stage and the actors, with their dialogue, convey the story all while the set changes around them and you remain stationary. In an immersive show, you are integrated with the set and the actors move around you and the space. Some experiences can be large, spanning multiple floors, others are a limited ever changing set. You will most likely not come close to seeing everything that is offered on a single viewing. Take the show as your own journey. If you are looking to see what is behind every doorway and passage, go for it. If a character comes across your path and is intriguing to you, follow them. Think of it like you are walking down a city street at night and each and every person there has their own story of what brought them to that street. Immersive theater lets you keep walking and explore each section of the street with its own beauty or observe a person, or group of people, and follow their story. Follow where the action is happening... It can be easy to get lost in the world the designers and creators set up for you. Usually the most engaging and immersive portions of the show deal directly with the actors and watching their choreography during the production. There will usually be a crowd that forms around them but every once in a while if an actor is roaming the halls, you might be lucky enough to get a one on one experience with them. A scene that only you have seen and will be one of the few people who ever get to witness it. Or don’t... Due to the nature of this artform, it is left to be interpreted by each and every person differently because each and every person has seen a “different” show. If you are the type of person who wants to get lost in the atmosphere and possible labyrinthian construction of the set, do so. There are notes to find and read, details on desks, possibly active phones that give auditory backstory. All bits are put into place for the audience to find and explore to make it seem as if it is their own story. Everything can be explored. Immersive theater seeks to break boundaries, it allows you, the individual, to see a show on your own terms. Be on the lookout for nooks, crevices, alcoves...If it is not blocked off then feel free to interact with each area. Are you not enjoying a plot line from one character, no issue, instead of “tuning out” during those scenes you can walk around and find a new plot/character to follow or one could even find notes and details hidden throughout the set that explain the world you are in. This is a show about how you want to make it and experience it. Discuss with others after the show. One of the best parts of the evening is when your group has returned from the show, (some shows deliberately separate the group you came in with) and everyone can discuss their favorite scenes, interesting sets, confusing portions, intense visuals just to name a few topics. It is a conversation with your friends about how the story plays out as well as a method to fill in the gaps of the story that the director of the show was trying to portray. Keep an open mind. An actor lights a candle and walks in a manner that you perceive as stealthy. Do you follow their movements to see what they are up to? There is a stairwell up ahead and you have no idea where it goes. Do you ignore that actor and go up the stairwell for other possible interactions? As you make your choice, someone else comes running towards and past you. Now do you go and see why they were running? Running to something...or from something? Continue up the stairs? Continue following the stealthy actor? All of those questions can come up within a minute. No matter what choice you make, remind yourself, this is your story, do what intrigues you the most. Immersive theater is a show that tells us to live in the present. I urge you, when you are in the show, don’t focus on the things you didn’t see. Reflect upon the show that YOU saw. Once the show has completed, it turns into a collective story with your friends and other audience members about each and every person's show. It’s a unique feeling, but one that hopefully will get you to seek out this unique and budding artform time and time again. Immersive theater blends very closely with escape rooms and below are some examples of shows and rooms that seek to fade the line between real and imaginary. Escape Rooms: "Servant’s of Slight" - The Exit Games "Puppet Heist: The Hand of Life" - The Bureau "Frost Base Z" - Rabbit Hole Recreation Services "Storyteller’s Secret" - Boxaroo "Project Minotaur" - QUEST ROOM "Heresy: 1897" - Doors of Divergence Immersive Theater Shows: "Sleep No More" - The McKittrick Hotel/ Punchdrunk "Reaper’s Remorse" - Delusion "The Clown Academy" - Intruder Escape "The Burnt City" - Punchdrunk #MikeSchnurr #7TipsandTricksForYourFirstImmersiveTheaterShow #articles #perspectives #shows

1,000s of Escape Rooms in dozens of countries appear all over the world now, but what are they, and where did they come from? An escape room, at its core, is basically an interactive Mystery Puzzle Game with the room itself as the primary game interface and that has a time limit. This differentiates escape rooms from at-home Mystery Puzzle games where the interface is physical props, books, and often online elements you access through a web browser or app and that generally can be done at your own pace. They are also different from computer and app puzzle games and escape rooms where the computer, phone, or game console is the primary game interface. Escape Rooms are one of the most recent branches on the Mystery Puzzle Game tree. But first, an extremely abbreviated look at what led to the earliest escape rooms...Dungeons & Dragons. Dungeons & Dragons, created in 1974 the pen-and-paper role-playing game where friends get together, roll up characters and with one friend being the “Dungeon Master” who controls the game, imagine themselves going on epic quests and dungeon delves, inspired many of the early computer games. Around that same time, in the 1980s, Mystery Puzzle Games moved from magazines, newspapers, and books heavily into the computer game market, with Infocom text adventures and similar games that also drew their inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons. cfrom True Dungeon allows a group of adventurers (players) walk through a simulated Dungeon (rather like a haunted house), where they will fight monsters (using a shuffleboard combat mechanic), solve puzzles, and interact with props while they seek treasures. It is a 2-hour experience that uses a Dungeon Master (person in the room helping control the game) and became one of the most popular experiences at GenCon (one of the largest gaming conventions each year) and is now being played at multiple conventions each year! True Dungeon was created from the idea of Dungeon Master Jeff Martin, with help from Dungeon Forge owner Stefan Porkorny, and a collaboration with Peter Adkinson of Wizards of the Coast.(1) A class 41 trademark for TRUE DUNGEON was submitted March 20, 2003 by Jeff Martin and was first used on 24 Jul 2003. (4) Then, on July 24th of 2003 at GenCon in Indianapolis, True Dungeon, the first live escape-room type game premiered...however it wasn’t marketed as an “Escape Room,” and didn’t have its origins directly from the computer escape rooms...it was more about being able to play Dungeons and Dragons live! True Dungeon allows a group of adventurers (players) walk through a simulated Dungeon (rather like a haunted house), where they will fight monsters (using a shuffleboard combat mechanic), solve puzzles, and interact with props while they seek treasures. It is a 2-hour experience that uses a Dungeon Master (person in the room heping control the game) and became one of the most popular experiences at GenCon (one of the largest gaming conventions each year) and is now being played at multiple conventions each year! True Dungeon was created from the idea of Dungeon Master Jeff Martin, with help from Dungeon Forge owner Stefan Porkorny, and a collaboration with Peter Adkinson of Wizards of the Coast.(1) A class 41 trademark for TRUE DUNGEON was submitted March 20, 2003 by Jeff Martin and was first used on 24 Jul 2003. (4) The first True Dungeon adventure at Gencon 2003 was TD1: “The Five Aspects.” True Dungeon was held on the 2nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Ballroom and ran from Thursday through Sunday.(5) The Dungeon had eight rooms. 300 slots were opened, with a cost of 7 generic tickets per slot.(5) Although around 500 played in this first ever escape room according to the official website.(1) It was a last minute event and was not in the convention book nor was available for pre-registration(5). However, it was listed on the website as of at least February 2003 (5), and was referred to as “New to Gen Con Indy this year, True Dungeon is a d20 variant that allows players to experience their D&D adventure within a life-size, dungeon environment. Not a LARP, True Dungeon focuses on problem solving, teamwork and tactics while providing exciting sets and interactive props. Players may find themselves creeping down a dark passageway and entering a long-forgotten crypt. After dispatching a lurking guardian, the players may have to solve a cryptic puzzle or find a secret door in order to gain a wondrous treasure chest -- a chest that might hold a shocking surprise if opened without care.”(5) From this description one can easily see the Escape Room aspects, however it is still steeped in Dungeons & Dragons where characters can die, players can gain treasure for future adventures, and each player has a character sheet describing their character and abilities. In 2004 True Dungeon returned, bigger and better than before! In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards of the Coast (owners of D&D) sponsored and teamed up with True Dungeon to make an adventure firmly set in the D&D world of Greyhawk, in the classic module The Village of Hommlet!(7). True Heroes also debuted in partnership with Upper Deck, using some of the rules of their Marvel Superhero Trading Card Game.(6) In this game players were official Marvel characters and went against Marvel villains, while also solving puzzles and problems. (6) True Heroes could arguably be considered the 2nd escape room. To get a feel as to the “Escape Room” feel of True Dungeon, here are a couple of the rooms from the 2004 event: Room Three – The Imp Entrance This room was really a creative problem solving exercise that was sort of disguised as a physical challenge. Some players said that there were less puzzles this year…when in reality many failed to see that this was actually a puzzle! You were supposed to land a gem inside the pentagram…which is possible with a lucky throw. The “sleaze” or trick in this room was to use the two 10 ft. poles in the room to make a gutter-like device to slowly roll the gems onto the platform. Several groups came up with other clever ways to get this done – including putting a gem inside a boot and tossing that onto the circle! Room Four – The Octagon Room This was a tough puzzle that had a simple solution – if you thought of it. Your basic choice was one of three archways, but two of the pictures above the archways could be spelled with the cubes (avian and shell). The trick was to drop the cubes in the pool of water…and allowing the letters A-V-I-A-N to always float to the surface. The cubes were especially rigged to do so.(8) True Dungeon was influenced primarily through the idea of bringing Dungeons and Dragons to life with a mix of puzzles and combat and has been a huge success! Four years after the premier of True Dungeon, and half-way around the world, in 2007, Takao Kato from Kyoto, Japan was trying to come up with a new event to host, and the girl sitting next to him said she was hooked on online escape room games. His response: “[S]o I just tried to make one.”(9) Real Escape Game came out of this thought process where large groups of players had to solve elaborate puzzles to escape a room that was set up in various locations as an event. Later Real Escape Game would make permanent escape rooms. It does seem that Real Escape Game was independently created from the same zeitgeist as True Dungeon...the desire to make an event out of a game and turn it into a physical reality. One was from pen and paper games, and one from online puzzle games...one became a very successful niche product, while the other has become a worldwide phenomenon, but one that could learn from the other…however, both paths had their origins back in Dungeons & Dragons. 2004 also saw the opening of another experience that is not quite an escape room, but also feels similar and even closer then True Dungeon: 5 Wits. 5 Wits focuses more on the experience of the game but does contain some puzzles. It does not consider itself an escape room per se and seems to follow more along the lines of True Dungeon then the Escape Room phenomenon that would explode in the following years across Asia and then Europe, with the first opening in London and Hungary in 2012 (see future articles). This leads to the first escape rooms in America. The first full escape room in America was brought over by SCRAP where they put on the first “Real Escape Game” in San Francisco in 2012 on March 23rd for $20-$25.(12) “The Escape From the Werewolf Village” was the premier escape and was held in the Superfrog gallery in Japantown(12) at New People, at what is known as the J-Pop Center, which promotes Japanese popular culture. The Japanese escape rooms were adapted for America by Kazuya Iwata.(14) In July of 2012, Real Escape Game SF presented, “Vol 2. The Crazy Last Will of Dr. Mad.” at the conference center of Building A in Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.(13) It was advertised as follows: “The game involves solving puzzles in order to get out of a locked room.”(13) On December 14 of 2012, the first permanent escape room in America opened, it was REG’s Volume 1: Escape From the Mysterious Room. According to REG, no one escaped that day... Opening in September of 2013, “Escape From Studio D” by Puzzle Break in Seattle, is America’s first escape room company. While it wasn’t the first escape room event, or even the first permanent escape room, it was the first owned and operated by an American company. Founder Nate Martin saw the success of escape rooms in Asia and Europe and decided to bring them to America.(10) The rooms became popular and they quickly expanded, and by September of 2014 gross revenue was about $30,000/month.(10) In October 2013, the explosion had begun. Escape the Room “The Office” opened in New York City, soon to be followed by many, many more. Escape the Room is a fun, interactive game taking place in New York City. While it looks like any other ordinary room, it’s actually a mystery puzzle. Find the hidden objects, figure out the clues and solve the puzzles to earn your freedom and “Escape the Room.” You have 60 minutes, so be quick! Come with your friends, family and coworkers and have a great time.(11) One of the earliest (or possibly the first) newspaper articles on escape rooms was from The Fresno Bee, published on Jun 7, 2014. Written by Chris Suellentrop of the New York Times News Service, it discusses how escape rooms mix video games and the theater into a new type of entertainment.(14) The author claims the direct influence on escape rooms were the web browser games such as “Crimson Room” and iPhone apps like “Doors” and “Rooms.” He brought in quotes from Timothy Haskell of Trapped NYC and Kazuya Iwata of Real Escape Game.”(14) Iwata compares themselves to video game creators by saying, “‘We are coming from the puzzle side…[T]hey are coming from the theater.’” but that the goal is where the two cross.(14) Escape rooms are an amazing blend of puzzles and immersive theatre. They pull their roots from their immediate predecessors of the escape room video games, which owe some of their heritage to 1980s and 1990s graphic puzzle adventures and the text adventures before them. Some of those games owe their heritage to Dungeons & Dragons and then to the desire to be able to play D&D on a computer. With the computer age and puzzle age blending, it would seem that the idea to immerse people into a live-action, interactive simulation/game/experience popped up with True Dungeon, 5 Wits, and then the first self-described escape rooms in Japan with SCRAP. From there they quickly spread throughout parts of Asia and Europe and landed fully in America by 2012. Timeline 2003 Jul 24: True Dungeon event premiers at Gencon (still going in 2021) 2004: 5 Wits live-action interactive experiences debut in New York. 2004 Jul: True Heroes even premiers at Gencon (would last 2 Gen Cons) 2007: SCRAP created “Real Escape Game” in Japan 2012 Mar: The first Real Escape Game in San Francisco 2012 Jun: Early (1st) newspaper article discussing escape rooms in the Fresno Bee. 2013 Sep: Puzzle Break Room #1 “Escape From Studio D” opened in San Francisco 2013 Oct: Escape The Room #1 “The Office” opened in New York City 2014 May: Puzzle Break Room #2 “The Grimm Escape” opened in Seattle and San Francisco The Reference List https://truedungeon.com/how-to-play/item/30-td-history The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) · 13 Jun 2003, Fri · Page 60. Downloaded on Aug 28, 2021 The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) · 20 Jul 2003, Sun · Page 120. Downloaded on Aug 28, 2021 Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Trademarks 2004-04-13: Volume 1281, Issue 2. Page ™ 459. https://web.archive.org/web/20030628045130/http://www.gencon.com/display.aspx?file=indy-true-dungeon. Accessed on 29 Aug, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20040815080628/http://www.gencon.com/displayindy.aspx?file=indy-true-heroes. Accessed on 29 Aug, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20041022150151/http://truedungeon.com/1/articles.php?articleId=1. Accessed on 29 Aug, 2021. True Dungeon forums from the source: The Riddle Reveal videos. https://truedungeon.com/forum?view=topic&defaultmenu=141&catid=590&id=193775&start=0 https://realescapegame.com/thoughts-reg/. Accessed 09/01/2021 “Thoughts and lessons 1 year after co-founding Puzzle Break, a live-action escape-the-room game in Seattle and San Francisco.” Nate Martin. https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/2ioof7/thoughts_and_lessons_1_year_after_cofounding/ Accessed on 09/01/2021 Website. Escapetheroomnyc.com. July 2014 archive. Accessed 13 Sep 2021 from the Internet archive. “The Real Escape Game” The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. 18 Mar 2012, Sun • Page B5 “Puzzle Game” The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. 08 Jul 2012, Sun • Page A2 “Physical games imitate digital realm.” The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. 07 Jun 2014, Sat • Page C2 #BrentPrice #TheTrueOriginOfEscapeRooms #articles #perspectives #USA #EscapeRooms

We had an amazing time being guests on The Infinite Escape Room. Our host, Jon, had a really exciting adventure waiting for us where we had to escape from a giant!!! If you're wondering how a Q-tip was involved, then you should really give this episode a listen (click below). "The Infinite Escape Room" is a podcast in the UK that creates original content where they mix up hilarious "choose your own adventure" stories along with entertaining puzzles. We highly recommend giving them a subscribe. For further support, check out their Patreon page. #CiciCao #Articles #Events #EscapeRooms #TheInfiniteEscapeRoom #AudioEscapeRoom #Guest

Written by: Matthew Lui, ESCAPETHEROOMers // Writer As the final ballot is revealed showing Terri’s name, I am thankful that Amy reached out to me and helped save me from being voted off. With the other 3 castaways in our alliance, we would be safe for a few more tribal councils, but the real question is how long I could trust each of them before they turn on me… Outwit. Outplay. Outlast. The Survivor motto for anyone who is familiar with it, which is about to air its 43rd season in September 2022. During the pandemic though, as with many things moving online, ORGs or Online Reality Games really gained a following. I first became familiar with them in May 2022 when Jarod, a previous Survivor ORG competitor posted about them in the escape room enthusiast discord. After some back and forth, we found out we were from the same city and had a common friend who has played the same ORG he did. He then tells me that they are recruiting for the next season of Survivor YEG (the airport code for Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) and sends me the application form. I sign up and think “Sure, how much time could this take to play?”, a question I would regret asking later. Playing similarly like the TV show, the Survivor ORG runs about 40 days with someone aiming to be the final Survivor. Everyone is assigned to a tribe at the start and they must win challenges to secure immunity for their group. If not, the losing tribe will be sent to tribal council where one of the tribe-mates would be voted off. The ORG was played through Discord as it is an easy social platform to use as well as one of the hosts, Keegan, who wrote a bot called “Chenbot” to automate group chats and do more automatically. Discord was also easy to open up channels for challenges and tribal councils and control permissions for the hosts, participants, and viewers. Oh, yes, did I mention that there is an audience watching the game as well? Joining Survivor YEG, I became a castaway for their 8th season titled Lost at Sea. As this season was mostly pirate themed and “located” at Alberta Beach near by, we were broken up into 3 tribes at the start, Blackbeard Tribe, Hook Tribe and Morgan Tribe. After competing in a few challenges and having the losing tribes vote castaways off, we slowly reformed into another 3 tribes named after more pirates; Drake, O’Malley and Sao. Finally, after a few more eliminations, I was lucky enough to join the final merge, which consisted of the 10 castaways in the appropriately named Sparrow tribe. Due to the nature of the game, all of the challenges had to be set up to be played online. For some challenges, they were played live, where we were given 24 hour notice to select a time that would work best for us. We would then convene on the Discord server at that time and complete the challenges together. Some challenges we played live included games like Wheel of Fortune, Battleship and Memory Madness. Since we did have lives outside of the game, we were given 24 hours to complete other challenges which included things like the longest Wordle streak, Photo Scavenger Hunt, Emoji Movies and Name that Tune. As with the TV show, you could also gain immunity idols and advantages through different activities. Some of them included a map search which you could do every day. Some were offered up during challenges under certain stipulations such as being the first to complete challenge. The final one (which was my favorite) were puzzlehunts hidden in the server. This season had 3 puzzlehunts (which were all completed by yours truly). For a more detailed rundown of the how the puzzles are hidden through discord, you can check out this video from one of the hosts Keegan. As for this season, some of the highlights of the puzzle hunts included combing through different areas of the discord server, researching Cicada 3301, playing the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme song, and (which was nominated as a favorite moment of the season) calling the Alberta Beach Library and Municipality to find who the first mayor of Alberta Beach was. Survivor isn’t all about winning the challenges though. You have to have a social game where reaching out to people, starting alliances and getting to know people are key to making it through. During the game, there were a few people who reached out to me and a few people I had to reach out to. This was tough too because at times, I didn’t know who to trust and you have no way of testing how much to trust someone else, sometimes before it is too late. Are you interested in playing one? If you google search ORGs, you might be able to find some places on Reddit or others that are looking to recruit. When talking to Jarod, he said, “There are a quite a few Survivor themed ORGs and anyone can apply to play in a season. As for viewing, most ORGs allow anyone to view, but most use a "trusted spectator"; system which requires someone in the ORG with trusted spectator status to vouch for new members. Viewers that can't be vouched for right away, can still watch the season but can only see the channels that all the players can see like the general tribe chat or tribal council. They wouldn't be able to see private confessionals or alliance chats. The purpose is to maintain the integrity of the game so that players aren't being told any game info they shouldn't have.” The winner of Season 8, Lost at Sea ended up being Jack, who seemed like a new player to these games until it was revealed at the reunion that he has actually played 40 ORGs. Therefore, I asked Jack for his top 3 tips for new players. He says; Survivor is filled with moving parts; Never sit still to avoid being crushed. Play a fluid and an adaptable game to avoid sinking like a stone. The second you tell yourself "Wow, I'm winning this"; you're probably about to go home. Never underestimate your opponents because they're following the same strategies as you. Make sure you have at least one BFF who's tight with people you aren't tight with. (Note that BFF here stands for Best Friend For as long as keeping them furthers your game). Connections are crucial to getting far and winning a jury over. But be careful about how long you keep them, because if you both make the end.....you both can't win. After a grueling 26 days, I did depart the game in 6th place after holding onto the trust of my alliance a little too long, (unfortunately while still holding an immunity idol). Joining the jury and viewing the rest of the game from Ponderosa island, the game finished with an epic ending with so many more twists and fun challenges to watch. In the final Viewer Voted Awards though, I did win (in a 3 way tie) for Best Confessional and was a pivotal part in the Favorite Moment of the season, which was Tribal Council 9, where we went to Rocks (apparently the 2nd time ever in the 8 seasons Survivor YEG has been around). This was a fun experience and very different from anything I have played online. Would I do it again? My FOMO says "yes", but my wife says "no". If someone tells you, the game only requires 30 mins a day, that is a blatant lie, but no doubt about it, what you get out of the game is completely what you are willing to put into it. (Just want to give a big shoutout to all the hosts, Danny, Darren, Jess, Keegan, Kristin, Lance and Zoco, who organized and put on an amazing event as well as the final 10, Jack, Stat, Aimory, Amy, Megan, Melody, Jessica, Terri, and Tony, who all played a fantastic game and made for a great adventure!) #MatthewLui #TheOnlineRealityGameofSurvivor #ORG #Survivor #articles #perspectives #USA

Written by: Claire Adams, Lock Paper Scissors // Guest Writer Not everyone is cut out for an escape room. It takes a special kind of person to be able to think under pressure and work well as part of a team. But if you think you’ve got what it takes, then the next step is to choose the right personalities for your team. Here Are Some Personality Types That Make for a Successful Escape Room Team: 1. The Leader This is the person who takes charge and ensures that everyone is on the same page. The leader motivates the team and keeps them moving forward towards the goal. It’s important to have a leader on your team, but beware of someone who is too bossy or overwhelming. The leader should be someone who can keep cool under pressure and knows how to delegate tasks. It’s also important to have a flexible leader who can change the plan if necessary. Things rarely go according to plan in an escape room, and the leader needs to be able to adapt on the fly. 2. The Analytical Thinker This person likes to sit back and observe the situation before taking action. The analytical thinker is good at spotting patterns and solving puzzles. This person is an asset to any team as they can help solve some of the trickier puzzles. However, they can also be a liability if they get too bogged down in the details. The analytical thinker needs to be able to take a step back and see the big picture. They also need to be able to communicate their ideas to the rest of the team. 3. The Action-Oriented Person This is the person who is always ready for action. They’re not afraid to take risks, and they’re always up for a challenge. The action-oriented person is a valuable asset to any team as they can help move the team forward. However, they can also be a liability if they act without thinking. They need to control their impulsiveness and think before they act. 4. The Creative Thinker This is the person who likes to think outside the box. They’re good at coming up with creative solutions to problems. The creative thinker is a valuable asset to any team as they can help solve puzzles that require out-of-the-box thinking. However, they can also be a liability if they get too distracted by their own thoughts. They need to be able to focus on the task at hand and communicate their ideas to the rest of the team. 5. The Organizer This is the person who likes to keep everything in order. They’re good at keeping track of the team’s progress and ensuring that everyone is on track. An organizer is a valuable asset to any team as they can help to keep the team focused and on track. However, they can also be a liability if the team feels like they’re being micromanaged. The organizer needs to give clear instructions and allow the team some flexibility to work in their own way. 6. The Puzzle Solver Every team needs someone good at solving puzzles. This is the person who will be able to figure out the clues and solve the puzzles. Puzzle solvers are a valuable asset to any team as they can help move the team forward. However, they can also be a liability if they get too bogged down in the details. Puzzle solvers need to be able to take a step back and see the big picture. They also need to be able to communicate their ideas to the rest of the team. 7. The Wild Card This is the person who is always up for anything. They’re not afraid to take risks, and they’re always up for a challenge. Wild cards are a valuable asset to any team as they can help move the team forward. However, they can also be a liability if they act without thinking. They need to control their impulsiveness and think before they act. These are just a few of the different personalities that can be found on an escape room team. It’s important to have a mix of personalities on your team to make the most of everyone’s strengths. Check out this clip (see below) from the owners of Deadlocked Escape Room performing a funny skit during ESCAPETHEROOMers' "2021 Bullseye Awards Ceremony Show" of a couple of stereotypical players in an escape room! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Tips for Choosing the Right Personalities for your Next Game Now that you know a little bit about the different personalities that can be found on an escape room team, here are a few tips for choosing the right team for your next adventure: Make sure that you have a mix of personalities on your team. You’ll want to have a mix of puzzle solvers, creative thinkers, and action-oriented people. Choose a team that you’re comfortable with. You’ll be spending a lot of time with these people, so you want to make sure you get along. Make sure that everyone on the team is up for the challenge. You don’t want to have a team of people who will give up easily. Choose a team that you can trust. This is important because you’re going to be working together closely, and you need to be able to trust each other. Make sure that everyone on the team is committed to the cause. You don’t want to have a team of people who will bail on you at the first sign of trouble. Now that you know how to choose the right team for your next escape room adventure, it’s time to get out there and start planning your adventure! Choose wisely, and you’re sure to have a great time. VISIT if you are interested in learning more tips and tricks about Escape room games. #ClaireAdams #HowToChooseTheRightPersonalitiesForYourNextEscapeRoomAdventure #articles #perspectives #USA #History

Written by: Claire Adams, Lock Paper Scissors // Guest Writer Escape rooms are becoming increasingly popular as a fun way to spend time with friends or family. They are also a great way to challenge yourself and test your problem-solving skills. In an escape room, players are locked in a room and must use their wit and intelligence to solve puzzles and find clues that will help them escape the room within a certain time limit. One of the most important elements of an escape room is the locks. Locks can be tricky and may seem impossible to open at first, but they can be unlocked with a little patience and perseverance! So, what are the different types of locks, and how do you open them? The Most Common Types of Locks In An Escape Room Game There are different types of locks that you may come across in an escape room. Here are some of them: 1. Padlocks Padlocks are one of the most common types of locks in escape rooms. They are often used to secure chests or doors. To open a padlock, you must insert the key into the lock and turn it to the right until it opens. Pro-Tip: The keys to padlocks are usually not magnetic, so if you are using a magnet to try and open the lock, it will not work! 2. Numerical Locks Numerical locks can be opened by inputting the correct code into the keypad. The code can be anything from a simple three or four-digit code to a more complex combination of numbers and symbols. To crack the code, you must use your logic and problem-solving skills to figure out what the code is. Pro-Tip: Pay attention to any clues given to you in the room, as they may help you crack the code! 3. Word Locks Word locks are similar to numerical locks, but they use words or phrases instead of numbers. You must input the correct word or phrase into the keypad to open a word lock. As with numerical locks, clues may be given to help you solve the puzzle. Pro-Tip: Try thinking of synonyms for the given clues, as they may help you unlock the lock! 4. Directional Locks Directional locks are less common than the other types of locks and can be tricky to operate. These locks are opened by inputting a series of left, right, up, and down "clicks"; into the keypad. There is no limit to how long a directional lock code can be, so it can be difficult to start again if you lose your place. Pro-Tip: Directional locks will usually be given in an up/down/left/right fashion or north/south/east/west. Pay attention to the clues given, as they may help you crack the code! 5. Combination Locks Combination locks are the ones that you usually see on high school lockers. They require a three-number code to open, and they have to be spun in the correct direction when you input each number. Another important aspect of opening combination padlocks is making sure that the arrow is perfectly lined up with the dash and that you have the correct dash corresponding with the correct number. If you get the code incorrect on the first try, remember to reset the escape game lock completely by twirling the combination wheel to the right for three whole rotations. Pro-Tip: The numbers on a combination lock will usually be between 0 and 39. Pay attention to any clues given, as they may help you figure out the code! 6. Diversion Locks Diversion locks are one of the most common types of locks in escape rooms. They are often disguised as something else in the room, such as a book, a rock, or a lamp. The key to opening a diversion lock is usually hidden somewhere in the room, so it is important to look carefully! Once you have found the key, insert it into the lock and turn it to the right until it opens. Pro-Tip: The keys to diversion locks are usually not magnetic, so if you are using a magnet to try and open the lock, it will not work! 7. Cryptex Locks Cryptex locks are one of the most popular types of locks in escape rooms. They are often used in rooms with an old-fashioned theme because they really fit the aesthetic. Cryptex locks have 5-6 rings with the full alphabet on them. Players often need to solve several puzzles to figure out exactly which word will unlock the Cryptex. Pro-Tip: The key to a Cryptex lock is usually a word or phrase. Pay attention to any clues given, as they may help you figure out the code! 8. Magnetic Cabinet Locks Magnetic cabinet locks are usually found on cabinets, drawers, or doors. They are opened by inputting the correct code into the keypad. The code can be anything from a simple four-digit code to a more complex combination of numbers and symbols. To crack the code, you must use your logic and problem-solving skills to figure out what the code is. Pro-Tip: The key to a magnetic cabinet lock is usually a combination of numbers and symbols. Resetting The Lock Once you have unlocked the lock, it is important to reset it so that the next player can have a chance to play. To reset the lock, simply input the wrong code into the keypad. This will cause the lock to reset and be ready for the next player. Pro-Tip: If you are having trouble resetting the lock, try looking for a manual override button. This button will usually be located near the keypad. We believe that you are now fully equipped to take on any escape room challenge that comes your way with these tips! Good luck and have fun! VISIT if you are interested in learning more tips and tricks about Escape room games. #ClaireAdams #ProTipsOnHowToUnlockAnyLockInAnEscapeRoom #articles #perspectives #USA #History

We are so excited for 2020 as we have many new locations and content to add to our website from our Escape Room Tours and Conventions. We will also be coming out with “Travel Tips” Videos soon for the locations we’ll be visiting. Below are the confirmed dates we’ll be at a certain location or event. We will be adding more dates and locations in the near future. Please email us if you are: - Crazy in love with escape rooms like we are and would like to meet up to tackle some rooms together or just chat over a drink or two! - An owner at any of these below locations and would like us to visit you on our tour. - Have suggestions of other locations and escape rooms that we should add to this list. USA Tours January 30 - Bloomfield, NJ February 1 - Rhode Island - Click here for the Tour map, company and games we'll be visiting. February 2 - Parts of Connecticut & outskirts of Massachusetts February 9 - 12 - Massachusetts Click Here for the Tour map, company and games we'll be visiting. Europe Tour (This tour has been cancelled due to COVID19) May 12 - May 17 – Netherlands & Belgium ( May 13 - Up The Game Conference ) May 19 – Copenhagen, Denmark May 21 – Tallinn, Estonia May 22 – May 23 – Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia May 24 – Helsinki, Finland May 25 – Stockholm, Sweden May 27 – Skagen, Denmark May 29 – Amsterdam, Netherlands Bermuda Tour (This tour has been cancelled due to COVID19) June 3 – June 5 – Bermuda Asia Tour (This tour has been cancelled due to COVID19) November 8 – November 18 – China (Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu/Shengyang) November 19 – November 21 – Taiwan November 22 – 23 – Hong Kong, China November 25-26 – Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam November 27 - Hue/Danang (Chan May), Vietnam November 29 – Ho Chi Minh (Phu My), Vietnam December 1 – December 3 – Bangkok/Laemchabang, Thailand December 5 – December 6 – Singapore #CiciCao #Articles #Events #Tours #Travel