Escape rooms have taken the world by storm over the years. These games became popular as immersive experiences that the modern audience can enjoy as a fun outing. Even though this game does not have a long history, it has evolved quite a bit over the past decade. Many elements of it have changed as is the norm for an industry that follows the trends. The short but vibrant history of escape room games is quite intriguing. From virtual to reality, here are 7 parts of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences.
- History of Escape Room Experiences Online
From virtual to reality, the first part of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences is to look at its history. Escape rooms were never intended to be in the form they currently are. It was originally confined to the online games sphere. But sometime later, a genius somewhere decided that this game would be great as a physical experience and this person was right. Once the first few physical escape rooms showed a bit of success, the entire industry started growing and never stopped.
- Escape Room Experiences brought to Reality
From virtual to reality, the second part of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences is to see escape rooms being brought to reality. Escape rooms in the online game format were meant to be mystery games. All the thrill and suspense that is associated with escape room experiences were only tangentially part of the online experience. This thrill and suspense found elevation when the escape rooms took physical form. Stuck between the mystery and horror genres, escape rooms finally found a stable ground outside of the online sphere.
- Immersive Quality of Escape Room Experiences
From virtual to reality, the third part of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences is to understand the immersive quality of escape room experiences. Escape rooms a built as a physical experience to be immersive in nature. As an online game, this immersive quality was never present. But by utilizing the design and theme of the escape room, the players can be made to feel as if they are part of the story within an on-site escape room. This immersive quality has become one of the main attractions of escape rooms.
- Evolution from Single to Team Gameplay
From virtual to reality, the fourth part of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences is to look at the evolution of escape room gameplay from single player to multi player. Escape rooms were never created as a group experience. These online games were supposed to be played by one person. But when the game was brought to reality, the group gameplay aspect got added, since it was being marketed as a fun outing spot for friends and family. Eventually, multi-player gameplay became a core feature of the game and one of main attractions for the consumers.
- Elevated Thrill and Suspense of Escape Room Experiences
From virtual to reality, the fifth part of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences is to understand the elevated thrill and suspense of escape rooms. As mentioned before, the escape room was stuck between the horror and mystery genres. These games couldn’t find stable ground as a genre on their own until they were brought to the physical world. Within the physical experience, thrill and suspense achieved an elevated status due to the immersive quality that was never present in the online game. The unique adrenaline rush felt in a physical escape room has become a core feature of the game.
- Fun and Accessible for All in Reality
From virtual to reality, the sixth part of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences is looking at how accessible it is for all. Escape rooms have established themselves as fun outing spots within the modern psyche. In its online game form, the appeal of escape rooms was limited to the gaming audience but after gaining a physical form, this appeal spread to a more general audience. Everyone can now enjoy a fun escape room experience. While the game itself has moved past the online sphere, its booking system is still very much online. This makes escape rooms easy to access.
- Back to the Virtual but Different
From virtual to reality, the seventh part of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences is to see the escape room experience revert to the virtual sphere. The pandemic made the world realize how useful the online medium actually is. Every aspect of life has migrated to an online presence over the year and especially during the pandemic. This is no different for escape rooms. Escape rooms, from being a virtual experience, gained a physical form to only revert back to the virtual form. But this time, all the elements of a physical escape room were transported to the online sphere as a unique experience.
From virtual to reality, the 7 parts of exploring the evolution of escape room experiences have thus been understood. Escape rooms have had a short history, but this short span saw various rapid changes. From virtual to reality and then back to virtual in two decades is quite a feat. This industry follows the audience’s whims and tastes, so it is subject to frequent change and adjustment. But one aspect of escape rooms has remained the same, whether it is virtual or real. Escape rooms are never boring.
