An escape room blueprint analyzed: Hidden mechanics and technology deciphered

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Escape room games have become popular in the last decade. The concept of escape rooms probably began with John Wilson’s 1988 text-based puzzle game Behind Closed Doors.   

The earliest escape room games were dubbed Takagism games because Toshimitsu Takagi’s Crimson Room gained popularity as a foundation for the escape room genre. But it was Takao Kato who established the first live-action escape room game in 2007. 

Since then, escape rooms have found firm footing in the gaming and entertainment industry. Several escape rooms are cropping up in all the established cities worldwide. 

Escape rooms have created a whole franchise catering to the demand.  

Escape brands today offer several themes and multiple games to choose from. For example, Upside Escape rooms offer four differently styled rooms that provide the best and most exciting escape game experience.  

Behind the Closed Doors of an Escape Room 

An escape room game typically involves a group of players (usually 2-10) who voluntarily lock themselves up in a themed game room. The players must collaborate and coordinate well to discover the clues and solve the puzzles. The players will also have to accomplish some missions according to the room scenario. The players only succeed when they solve the puzzles and escape the room within a stipulated time limit. The usual time limit is 60 minutes, but some games have a set limit of 90 minutes or two hours. 

A lot goes into conceptualizing and establishing an escape room. The first step is to look up venues, register the businesses, and decide on the mode. An escape room blueprint will not only reveal the layout of the building but also the concept and mechanisms that made the escape room possible. 

Room Layout 

Room layout is the basis of an escape room plan. Deciding on a theme is the topmost priority. Then comes set design and room layout. Whether you want to have multiple sub rooms or focus on a single room is up to you. You can hide the doors behind another décor or even have secret openings like behind a library. The doors could be hidden sliding doors or even under the floor, in case of a basement sub room. Everything must be according to the theme and the feel you want to achieve. 

Locked Room Mechanism  

Escape rooms naturally center around the mystery of the locked room and finding the key to that lock. It could be a traditional lock and key setup like a padlock, or the lock could be automatic. The door codes could be alphanumeric and even magnetic. The door code could be hidden in some interesting clues as well. The process can be inspired by the room theme as well. The use of digital means in science fiction or futuristic game makes the game more interesting.  

The technology used in the game process 

Technology has a huge impact on an escape room setup. Appropriate lighting is essential to create a good ambiance. Wind and smokescreen also add up to the thrilling nature of the game. Changes in the color of the lights also mean a change in mood or scenario. Projector screens can transport you to a different reality. Music and audio recordings help in finding important clues. Recently, 3D games and VR technology have become another unique attraction in escape games. 

Puzzle Design 

The puzzles are carefully constructed to fit the theme of the game. The puzzles are usually relatively easy to make the games accessible to all ages. But some games have difficult and unique puzzles as well. The clues could be hidden anywhere and everywhere. Popular clues include letters, digital labyrinths, and even AI robots. The puzzles are meant to be solved by using your logic and reasoning skills, so anagrams, mathematical problems, pattern recognition, and historical facts are often part of the solving process. 

Conclusion 

Escape rooms require a lot of careful consideration and effort. A good escape room will interest you in taking part in a thrilling live experience. If you are yet to experience an escape room game, book a slot at your nearest escape room soon!