Escape rooms have spread their craze all across the world today. From horror-themed escape games to mystery-themed ones, there is a wide diversity in the array of themes offered by these games. People across all age groups enjoy playing these highly interactive games.
While going out to play a game at an escape room near me, I started thinking about how escape rooms originated. For people who, like me, know hardly much about the history behind escape room games, this article is here for you! Check out this article to gather knowledge about the roots of origin of escape rooms: Check out this article to gather knowledge about the roots of origin of the escape rooms:
What is an escape room game?
Escape rooms are games where players find themselves locked inside a room with no escape. They will find their hand on a few intricately-curated puzzles and challenges they need to solve. By brainstorming the tricky difficulties presented by the escape game, you and your team of players can escape the room in time.
Usually, escape rooms last for about an hour, and players need to solve the clues and puzzles in the room. Each escape room delivers players into an intensive scenario with realistic props and set designs. These games require players to play an active role in deciphering the clues and solving the games in time.
How did escape rooms originate?
One of the earliest precursors to escape room games can be traced back to various click-and-point video games. Different types of live-action immersive entertainment activities raging in the early 2000s may also serve as the backdrop to the origin of escape rooms. One of the earliest precursors to escape room games can be traced back to various kinds of click-and-point video games. Different kinds of live-action immersive entertainment activities raging in the early 2000s may also serve as the backdrop to the origin of escape rooms.
A game named “Behind Closed Doors” was developed by a software programmer named John Wilson back in 1988. Instead of graphics, this game was entirely made up of text. Players relied on different text commands to play this game. No matter how ancient the game may seem, it was the earliest precursor to escape games.
After that, in the 1990s, one can find the emergence of different kinds of click-and-point escape-the-room type of video games. Some popular games of this kind include “Planet Memphis,” “Myst” and others. In these games, players used pointers to search for and discern different clues and take the required actions. Thereafter in the 1990s, one can find the emergence of different kinds of click-and-point escape-the-room type of video games. Some popular games of this kind include “Planet Memphis,” “Myst” and others. In these games, players used pointers to search for and discern different clues and take the required actions.
During the early half of the 2000s, one can find theatrical practitioners trying to make their performances even more interactive by making their audience act as active participants. It led to the development and emergence of in-person live-action immersive entertainment. Some popular games of this include “5 Wits” and “Sleep No More,” amongst others.
After that, finally, in the year 2007 in Japan, one can find the emergence of one of the modern forms of escape rooms that we can see today. Developed by a Japanese entrepreneur named Takao Kato came up with the game called “Real Escape Game.” Kato designed his game to curate an immersive and unique form of entertainment. He drew inspiration from the virtual escape-the-room kind of games.
Thereafter, finally, in the year 2007 in Japan, one can find the emergence of one of the modern forms of escape rooms that we can find today. Developed by a Japanese entrepreneur named Takao Kato came up with the game named “Real Escape Game.” Kato designed his game with the intent of curating an immersive and unique form of entertainment. He drew inspiration from the virtual escape-the-room kind of games.
Kato’s game came up as a compelling form of an event rather than the permanent kind of escape room that one finds today. People were intrigued by these temporary escape room events and enjoyed them thoroughly. The first event happened in Kyoto, and then in Osaka, a new and more extensive version of the escape room event took place. Both events became immensely popular, with several participants taking part in them.
After understanding people’s immense craze for these temporary escape events, Takao and other enthusiasts decided to build permanent escape rooms.
Conclusion
Escape rooms began their journey from temporary events to becoming permanent ventures. With time, we can find virtual escape rooms, play-at-home escape room puzzles, and more!
