I became interested in the escape room because my daughter watched a Chinese variety show called “密室大逃脱” (Great Escape) during this summer vacation. She even planned to visit Mystiworld with her friend, the only place in Thailand offering this experience. When she returned, she excitedly shared how fun and thrilling it was. Why are escape rooms so popular among young people? Let’s explore!
1. The Beginning: Video Games
“Escape Room” games have gained popularity, but escaping has long been a video game concept.. The game that truly established the “Escape Room” concept was “Mystery of Time and Space,” released in 2001. Players click to explore, search, solve puzzles, and escape the room in this game, which pioneered the elements of today’s Escape Room games.
The game that truly popularized the Escape Room genre was the 2004 Flash game “Crimson Room,” which became a sensation and inspired many similar games. However, many of these games varied in quality and often featured “moon logic” puzzles that could only be solved through trial and error, causing the popularity of Flash Escape Room games to fade quickly.
After 2010, the rapid development of smartphones led to the resurgence of adventure and puzzle games. The touchscreen interface was perfect for the classic point-and-click style of Escape Room games, resulting in the emergence of many high-quality mobile Escape Room games. Some people believe that, due to the immersive experience, we might even see VR Escape Room games in the future!
2. Entering Reality: Live Escape Rooms
In addition to being a hit in the digital world, the Escape Room has also shown its unique charm in real life.
In 2007, Japanese creator Takao Kato was inspired while discussing online Escape Room games with his colleagues and envisioned bringing Escape Rooms into the real world. He established the first live Escape Room in Kyoto, Japan. In 2012, his friend Iwata took this concept to the United States. Today, live Escape Rooms have taken root in 97 countries worldwide.
In China, the growth of live Escape Rooms has been phenomenal. According to the “2019 Escape Room Industry Consumption Insight Report,” from 2012 to 2014, China saw a surge of Escape Room experiences. Between 2015 and 2017, the first generation of Escape Rooms evolved, introducing live NPCs (non-playable characters) to create a fully immersive experience.
3. Escape Room Elements Enter Variety Shows and Reach the Masses
After 2018, the Escape Room industry in China entered a boom period. Real-life mystery-solving variety shows like “Who’s the Murderer” and “Great Escape” began airing, and other major shows such as “Running Man” and “Rocket Girls 101” also featured Escape Room experiences. These programs brought Escape Rooms into mainstream consciousness. Have you watched any of these shows?
Now, the Escape Room experience has arrived in Thailand with the launch of Mystiworld, the country’s first and only live Escape Room featuring real NPC actors. Their games are imported from China, where the Escape Room industry is well-developed, and they have been adapted to suit Thai players. If you want to experience an Escape Room, Mystiworld is the place to go! According to my daughter, they even offer a family-friendly fairy tale-themed room. I’m planning to experience the Escape Room adventure with my child next week!
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