Race to Escape – openthedoor.at
In July 2015, the US channel "Science Channel" broadcast for the first time a 6 episodes Reality competition show. In this, two 3-person teams had to compete against each other and escape from a locked room.
GAME RULES
Both teams are located in identical rooms and have to solve the same tasks. There are 5 rounds. At the end of each round after the respective task has been solved, the teams will find a four-digit number code, which opens the door for them a little bit more. If a team reaches the next task, the light goes out in the area of the enemy team. This means that both teams always know what the other team is currently working on. The winning team has the chance to take home $ 25,000. After the first 20 minutes, however, the teams are deducted $ 500 for each elapsed minute. The teams can also ask in each round, except during the last, for a hint. This clue shows you the complete solution to the puzzle. The tip is only given if all three team members agree, additionally each hint costs the team $ 500.
EQUIPMENT
The rooms look very real. They are detailed and reflect the topic of each room perfectly. There are great differences to normal escape games, which is probably due to the fact that the use of the rooms is different than in common games. Thus, parts of the equipment are destroyed during the game, in order to solve the puzzle. There are no secret passages or technology. But again, it has to be said that this is not the goal of the game. The rooms have special effects and above all praises must be given to the show’s creators for their ideas and creativity. Many of the puzzles, as suggested earlier, could not be implemented in a normal Escape Room game. I cannot imagine, for example, that my customers have to pour a bottle of champagne on a picture to get a code.
TEAMS
The participants of the game, as with every escape game, were very different. For some teams, it was easy to work together. It was enjoyable to observe how much enthusiasm and great collaboration these groups used to get to the solution of a riddle. Even though they met each other first time inside a room. This is a fact you should not easily underestimate. Of course, not all groups were well coordinated, and when watching, it was sometimes hard to observe teams that could not see the obvious solution to the problem. Here, however, it is easier said than done.
ON THE OTHER HAND...
People who like to play Room Escape games can here watch a game from the position of the observer. I believe that some solution processes seen in the serial could be also help full for your next game. You could develop strategies and understand better how such games are working.
The evaluation of the program I leave to everyone him or herself. All 6 episodes can be watched at the moment on YouTube. The names of the episodes are: The Explorer's Study, The Chinese Restaurant, Bar Fight, Schoolhouse Lock, The Auto Shop, Barbershop Breakout.