Evolution of Escape Games
Escape rooms were first established in the early 2000s and since then they have taken the world by storm. These games, which are a little over a decade old were first established in Kyoto, Japan by a publishing company called SCRAP. Since their beginning in 2007, escape rooms have established themselves as a form of entertainment that every age group can enjoy. Although the traditional escape games with a minimalist use of technology were ruling the trend back then, they still managed to become a roaring success for friends and family to play together as well as compete with each other. These escape rooms have expanded their scope and now they are not only a source of recreation but also an educational tool that has helped the escape enthusiasts to become better leaders and team players. For people to cope up with their demanding corporate jobs, these escape games have also helped them hone their communication skills as well as efficiently manage their time.
Crafting immersive Escape rooms
Each escape game is generally built around a story. After the dramatic narration of the story by the game- master about the room and the era in which the game is set, an escape enthusiast naturally demands to be amazed as they open the doors to their escape adventure. A white room full of padlocks and puzzles is going to be a real let-down. Therefore, brands must push boundaries and harness the ever-growing technologies to create immersive rooms and offer an unforgettable experience.
To make the rooms feel as genuine as possible, the brands pay absolute attention to even the minutest of details. From the color of the rooms to life-like sculptures; from the lighting in the room to the tiniest of props, there is precision in everything. Technology has certainly aided their motive.
Imagine playing a game that is set in the 1940-the 50s. Flickering lights and static noise made by the old TV set would give an authentic feel and immediately make you feel that you are transported to the past. Similarly, escape games that are future- themed, make the use of present-day technology to give a feel of future technology.
Gen-Z and love for technology
Escapology brands are now witnessing a new clientele that are born tech-geeks.
They can often be seen sitting on their chairs with a headset and playing games for hours straight. Therefore, when they leave their homes to experience these real-life escape games, they expect the game to fully engage their senses!
It is impossible to separate Gen-Z from technology. This generation comprises child prodigies and geniuses. With children learning to code as soon as they are 6 years old, technology has become an inseparable part of their life. This tech-savvy generation loves innovation and to cater to the needs of this generation, escape rooms are becoming more tech-savvy as well. An escape room with high tech facilities is a paradise for this generation.
Steadily escape room games have shed their older, traditionally designed puzzles and riddles behind and have employed different technology overtime to compete with their contemporary modes of entertainment.
Now, the escape rooms are designed in a way that integrates the OG escape room layout plus the virtual birthday celebration or reality game- feel to attract the younger audience.
Technology put to work
The most primitive way of using technology has been the obvious use of surveillance cameras. These cameras are used by the brands to keep track of the activities of the players inside of the rooms. Besides that, these cameras have been proved useful to stop big mishaps as the staff can keep a check on what is happening inside of the rooms.
However, the brands have realized the versatility of technology and have started using it to elevate the overall experience of the games and to make them more compelling to players. Even the most straightforward quests are often packed with visuals and interactive puzzles.
These are the ways in which technology has helped in the overall feel enhancement of the escape games.
- Tiny LED lights illuminate hidden clues and make them more fascinating to look at.
- New magnetic locks are tougher to figure out and give a sense of challenge to the players
- Even the classic combination locks and detonators now feature new looks and are operated via touch screens
- Infrared sensors add extra excitement to the game by creating an invisible barrier around doors and escape routes
- Some brands use holograms for a more realistic vibe.
- Laptops and tablets are present in the form of puzzles.
- The use of motion sensors to create a real-time effect is thoroughly enjoyed by the players.
All of these can develop a feeling of reality in the game and create new challenges for players.
The emerging technology right now in the industry of escape rooms is the ‘full 4D sound effect’. This usually involves the virtual placement of sound sources anywhere in three-dimensional space, including behind, above, and on each side of the listener. More and more brands are now investing in the same as it has upgraded the whole experience of the game.
The biggest advancement today in escape rooms is the introduction of virtual reality technologies (VR). These VR glasses/helmets bring a whole new reality into the room and reward players with never before seen experience. VR gives a special feeling to sci-fi themed games and rooms.
It enables players to interact with the environment in a never before seen manner. Imagine exploring a pharaoh’s tomb in a dark pyramid with a torch in your hand! This is all possible with a little help from VR technology!
Conclusion
Although this technology is still in its developmental stages, there still are a lot of promising results. One thing is for sure, the next year of escape gaming will be about the virtual-reality environment.
The themes of the room and the games themselves are in constant development, therefore, according to the trends, the escape game will not fade into mediocrity and highly advanced escape rooms are here to stay for the next decade as well to continue enthralling escape enthusiasts over time.
