Earlier this year (2019), a tragic escape room accident happened in Poland. So, should the players be worried?

Let us show you a bit of behind the scenes how the masterminds and operators behind the games make sure their creation is safe.

In the Czech Republic, as well as in the rest of Europe, escape games are very popular, and their peak is yet to come.

An escape room is usually a closed space in which people are confronted with various puzzles and riddles that must be solved in a specific order. Usually, each solved mystery will give the players the means and information to solve the next one.

They are not fighting only against the clever puzzles, but also the time – usually, escape rooms have a specific time limit to be solved.

If they don’t succeed until the buzzer goes off, they are lost to the game, never to be heard from again. We’re joking, obviously! Their fate is must less tragic – the game operator lets them out with a bitter taste of defeat.

Incidents related to escape games

The ticking clock creates a sense of urgency, but there’s nothing to be worried about. In case of any real danger, it must be possible to get everyone out safely.

There should be an emergency key at each locked door and the room master, which observes the game all the times on the monitors, has the power to open the door immediately from the outside.

The tragic incident that happened in Poland is the first serious one since the emergence of escape games in Europe and the world.

There are some rumors about escape games in Russia, where hurting the players is part of the game, but that has nothing to do with security.

Worldwide, there are only a few reported people who have sustained injuries requiring medical attention during an escape game – for example, one dislocated wrist in Winnipeg, Canada.

What are the main security requirements of escape rooms?

Of course, escape games are subject to strict safety measures, and their compliance is regularly checked.

There may be slightly different risks in each game, depending on the specific tools used in it and the activities. Consider all of these when you decide whether to take part in a game.

Basic safety requirements include: 

• medical examinations of the employees,

• approved fire safety measures in the building,

• regular revisions and inspections of wiring, gas equipment, flue gas ducts, etc.,

• functioning fire-fighting equipment, emergency lighting, electric fire alarm, fire extinguishers, etc.,

• documentation, directives, fire regulations and all other documents must be in order,

• workers trained in first aid,

• equipped first-aid kits in the building,

• regular Occupational safety and health (OSH) a Fire protection (FP) inspections,

• and some other security measures.

Are you afraid of escape games?

We believe being too afraid of escape rooms is unnecessary. To tame your fear, make sure you know all the important information in advance.

Enough information will quickly drive away your fear and you will start to enjoy the process. Let the guide explain everything before the game.

Feel free to ask about fire safety if you can bring your phone, what is the temperature inside, etc. You can even ask before booking!

Did your fear start after entering the game? If the story of the game is spooky, everything’s fine – that’s why you chose this specific one in the first place, no?

A bit of fear and tension are required to spice up the atmosphere and for the participants enjoy it to the max. It is because of the tension, adrenaline and the need for brain cell involvement that people search for escape games.

But listen to your gut! If you have claustrophobic feelings, start to get too anxious and you know you don‘t want to be there, there is no problem to end the game prematurely.

It would be a pity if the tragic event in Poland leads to decreased interest in playing escape games.

It’s a very brain-teasing and exciting fun activity, where people can get rid of the stress and tension that so often accompanies our lives today.

Eco-Challenge

The Eco-Challenge is an expedition race, during which international teams race for 12 days nonstop. The competitors have to go through hundreds of miles of rough terrain in the mountains, jungle, and other not-so-pleasant places. Each team consists of four competitors and must include at least one woman and one assistant crew member.

They ride wild rivers, ride mountain bikes, climb rocks, sail and more, just to get to the destination as quickly as possible. The navigation is done only with the help of a map and a compass, so smartphones or GPS devices allowed! The winner is the first team to reach the finish line. If a team loses a member during the trip – whether due to exhaustion, injury or resignation – it is disqualified.

From 1995 to 2002, the race was held always at a different location. It had a bit of a reality show vibe because it was filmed and viewers at home could watch teams quarrel, solve health problems and go through other tense moments. This year it was held in Fiji with the participation of one team from the Czech Republic!

PEAK Death Race – “You May Die”

The race with the very blunt (and, dare we say, true) title Death Race, also known as “You May Die”, is not for the weak and untrained. It has been held since 2005 in Pittsfield, Vermont. The 16 km race can take up to 24 hours to complete. The athletes have to face many challenges fit for a superhuman, both physically and mentally. The exact tasks are kept secret, but in past, the participants had to run 3.2 kilometers through moving water, climb hills while lugging bicycle frames and tree stumps, memorize lists of presidents of the USA, reassembling a bunch of Lego pieces in a precise configuration. There are also such disciplines as to transfer manure from a lorry with bare hands. The race is usually won by members of the Navy or US Army soldiers.

Sahara Race

During the Sahara Race, you have to go about 250 kilometers of desert, which was originally held in the North of Africa. Last year it was hosted by the kingdom of Jordan and the road led through Wadi Rum, a very important place associated with the First World War, and the finish line was in front of the cave complex in Petra. The race has strict limitations on equipment and each participant is checked before the start of the race. You should definitely pack some essentials, including salt tablets, winter and rain clothes, plenty of liquids, a swiss knife, sleeping bag, headlamps, medicines or whistle.

If Sahara is not for you, you can choose to almost die in the Atacama in South America, the Gobi in Mongolia or brave the low temperature of the ice desert in Antarctica.

Tough Guy

If you wish to know what it means to wade through the mud, go to Britain! Billy Wilson, a famous member of the royal family’s army, elevated this messy-but-fun activity to one of the most respected extreme races. The first part begins in the town of Perton, near Wolverhampton, a town with about 250,000 inhabitants. Tough Guy participants will face a 13-kilometer off-road run followed by 25 obstacles.

The race has been running since 1987. In 2000 a competitor collapsed on the route and later died in hospital. Before participating, the athletes must sign a so-called death warrant, recognizing the many risks and dangers and relieving the organizers of any legal liability in the event of any injury.

Adventure Race Croatia

The Czech people are used to go to Croatia for sea and chill, but even extreme outdoor enthusiasts will be happy there! The Adventure Race Croatia is a four-day drudgery in the heat of Croatian mountains, lakes, and rivers. Enjoy running, rock climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking. The 500 km race is run in a team, so good strategy, teamwork, and navigation are extremely important.

 

What is a blockbuster, actually?

The term blockbuster was coined in the 40s, but had nothing to do with film or anything positive, really. During WWII it was a term used for bombs dropped from airplanes, that were capable to destroy whole city blocks. True block busters.

After the war the word was used to describe anything with a huge impact on society. Blockbusters became the associated with movies only in the 1970s.

The first official blockbuster in the film industry was Jaws from 1975, created by Steven Spielberg. Today, a blockbuster is generally understood as a movie with high budget and a wide target group.

Toys, games and gadgets

If you are a fan of a blockbuster, you can choose to surround yourself with merchandise connected to it. Keychains, phone cases, towels, hats, T-shirts, you name it. But the merchandising product to rule them all are toys and games.

The first big blockbuster to use the power of hundreds of thousands of people wanting to get their hands on one of their favourite characters (even if they were way smaller and made from plastic or plush) were George Lucas’s Star Wars in 1977.

In the next years, most of the big and smaller movies followed and added not only toys, but also computer games and boardgames. But you don’t really need to buy a toy or a game to relive the adventures of your heroines and heroes – all you need is your imagination.

Since the Trip to the Moon in 1902, through Frankenstein in the 30s, till Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, James Bond, Avatar or Indiana Jones today, many kids and adventorous adults were immersing themselves in the beautiful world of LARP (live-acting role play) and simulation games.
 
With time, we started to understand the power of games and playing for the personal and team development not only of kids, but also adults more and more. And so in the last 50 years, many games based on these great stories and adventures started to develop.

Probably the first pioneer in this area in the Czech Republic was Jaroslav Foglar, who started to create elaborate games for the summer camps that he organized. Now these games are an integral part of all summer camps, and the companies are starting to use their benefits too. Of course the goals, possibilities and limitations of a summer camp and a company event are very different.

That’s why we are creating games focused on team building, communication and soft skills, that will allow you to live through a thrilling story and try many adventures in just one action-packed afternoon or a full day.

And how to better inspire players to immerse themselves in another world for a while than to re-create something they already know and love – Hollywood blockbusters?
 

How to create a company event based on a blockbuster?

The first step is to use the movie as the basic setting for your game. The biggest advantage is that you don’t need to explain this world, its rules and many of the characters to your players.

Most of them will know it and will be excited to explore it. There is no need to create new characters, cool names or elaborate story lines. Plus, you don’t need to design and sew costumes, just buy the costumes and props for the characters online – thanks, merchandising!

Of course, you will not be able to buy everything, and it is great if some of the parts are handmade, but it is a great start.

If you want to create a game based on a blockbuster, start by getting to know the world properly – watch the movie, read the books, understand the motivations of the characters and the rules of that specific world.

It is also good to write down anything that seems interesting and might help you when creating the storyline for your game. If in doubt, get back to the basic premise of the movie you are building on.
 

Who is the target group of such a game?

If you are a fan of a series of books, movies or a TV series, there is nothing better than be in that world for an afternoon – meet your heroes and heroines, fight the sleazy villain and live through many adventures there. And even if you are not so much into it, it is great to explore a new world full of adventures. And maybe you will become a fan, too!
 
But how is playing some game beneficial to the team, you ask? Well, let me explain. When you are playing a game, the whole dynamic of the team changes. Gone are the troubles you try to solve everyday in the office, forgotten are the little problems between the colleagues, erased is the hierarchy.

When your less-than-favourite colleague saves your team from being eaten by a giant by his archery skills, you see your manager running around with a sword with her pants all covered in mud or you notice the calm leadership skills and logic of this timid member of your team when trying to escape the imminent flood, you get a completely new viewpoint on your colleagues.

You build trust when overcoming obstacles or climbing, make beautiful and funny memories to talk about during the lunch break (instead of Karen and Josh doing that horrible annoying thing again) and create new connections and ways to work together.

In the game the team is working to save their bare bottoms or even win, in the office to create great products or experiences for your customers.

 

Many companies now see the benefits of escape rooms too and they are starting to use them for their team building sessions.

When going for an escape room, you can choose from a variety of topics – horrors, history, fantasy and more. Which topics do people prefer?

Get hooked on escape rooms

Majority of those who have tried it get the „escape room bug“ and are always looking for their next adventure.

The escape rooms are also so widely popular because anyone can enjoy them – adults, kids, students or seniors. It will wake up your brain and make your whole group focus on one goal – solving the puzzles and getting out.

You’ll cooperate as a true team, use your logical thinking, imagination and common sense in a way that you might not do while solving a problem at work.

Choose a topic that will appeal to all member of your team and you can be sure that everyone will have tons of fun and also learn a lot.

Computer games as an inspiration for teambuilding

Escape rooms are heavily inspired by computer games, such as virtual escape, adventure, and action games.

The games are always created with the place in which they’ll take place in mind. Sometimes you’ll be breaking out of prison, other times you will try to escape from a failing space station or fight against time in a room set in medieval times.

You can become James Bond or Indiana Jones, or just you being a hero in this little adventure. The physical elements of the game are completed by music, light and other effects that will help you to get into the story even more.

The atmosphere is everything

An escape room can have the best topic, riddles, and locks, but if the story is not so good and the atmosphere is not compelling, you as a player will have only a mediocre experience.

That’s why the creators of the games invest a lot of money, time and effort into making the place and the story as realistic as possible.

The escape rooms are getting better and better and are using modern technologies to make the experience of the players even better.

People, in general, like to be scared, so many escape rooms are set in haunted houses, brutal prisons, and mental wards.

You can also venture in ancient Egypt, meet the Templars or get to know a crazy inventor.

Favorite escape rooms topics

The topics of escape rooms are many and diverse and some of them are more popular than others. One of the most popular ones are prisons, underground or atomic bunkers.

The goal with these ones is easy – getting out of there as soon as possible or at least before the time limit.

Other appealing topics are ghost and scary stories. Participants usually learn about a tragic story behind a haunted house they are trying to escape.

Some of these games are played in complete darkness! Historical topics are one of the most popular too. If you have always dreamt of meeting Nefertiti, Archimedes or explore the wonders of late Middle Ages in England, they might be the best fit for you.

Escape rooms for education and teambuilding

If you are a fan of time traveling, you should definitely look for a game with time as the main topic. You can explore different time periods and even the future!

These escape rooms usually use a lot of new technologies and offer an awesome experience.

In the last years escape rooms are also being used for education purposes. The participants play as the normal escape room and then they discuss their experience afterward and learn more.

The topic, material, and setting are chosen specifically to allow for an enlightening discussion, sharing of experiences and learning afterward.

Customized Game for Hotel

Z-AGENCY provides a complete service from the conceptual game design, through content creation, to technical implementation.

The games are tailored to the unique history, points of interest, and terrain surrounding the hotel, ensuring a unique experience for players.

Staff Training and Technological Support

Hotel staff undergo training to equip them with all necessary skills for launching and managing events.

Z-AGENCY also ensures technical support and the generation of QR codes for easy game launching through the TerraHunt mobile app, available for iOS and Android operating systems.

Expanding Offerings for Clients

TerraHunt games are an attractive addition for corporate events, team buildings, as well as for families with children or individual visitors seeking extraordinary experiences during their stay.

How It Works:

1. Game Creation: Together with the hotel, we design and create a game that best reflects its character and surroundings. 
2. Staff Training: Staff learn how to launch, manage the game, and assist guests with the app. 
3. Playing the Game: Hotel guests download the TerraHunt app and start discovering treasures around them.

Benefits for Hotels

Collaborating with Z-AGENCY Ltd. brings a number of advantages to hotels. GPS games expand their program portfolio and provide guests with new entertainment options.

The main benefit is the ability to offer guests an attractive and affordable program that is not only fun but also easy to sell.

This program represents an opportunity for hotels to differentiate themselves in the market and offer something that goes beyond traditional hotel services.

Flexibility in Event Organization

Hotels have the option to organize Treasure Hunt games themselves, using their own staff. If a hotel prefers a hassle-free execution or plans a larger event, it can utilize the services of our instructor team.

This approach not only relieves hotel staff but also ensures that the entire event is conducted professionally and without any complications. Under these circumstances, the hotel not only gains satisfied guests but also an interesting commission from the events conducted, which represents a welcome additional income.

Gaming Platform for Resorts and Cities

TerraHunt is a gaming platform specializing in outdoor, indoor, and virtual games. This platform offers an exciting opportunity for hotels, resorts, municipalities, and cities to enrich their offerings for tourists and support tourism.

Using the TerraHunt gaming platform, these entities can create their own treasure hunt games that attract visitors to explore local attractions, history, or culture, thereby supporting the local economy and regional development.

Not Just in the Footsteps of Grapes

The game “Not Just in the Footsteps of Grapes,” set in the picturesque environment of Vican Winery, is a clear example of how this platform can be effectively utilized.

On a route of approximately one hour, players will find 18 treasures, each with its own riddle or challenge, guiding them through all corners of this South Moravian winery.

The fun and interactive element of the game attracts visitors who can look forward not only to discovering hidden treasures but also to tasting select wines from Vican Winery.

When the Sommelier Creates the Game

The head sommelier of Vican Winery, Lenka Maloňová, who personally created the game, expressed her enthusiasm: “Collaborating with the Z-AGENCY team, who developed the TerraHunt gaming platform, has opened up entirely new possibilities for us to introduce our world of wine to a broader audience.

The game is not only entertaining but also educational and represents a great way to connect digital technologies with the real world.”

Experiences Serving Tourism

Z-AGENCY, behind the TerraHunt platform, emphasizes that their platform is flexible and easily adaptable to the needs of various locations and organizations. “Our solution for Vican Winery demonstrates how TerraHunt can be used to support tourism.

We bring original experiences that cities, municipalities, and businesses in the tourism sector can use to attract and engage visitors,” adds Jiří Zmidloch, managing director of Z-AGENCY s.r.o.

Team Program for High School Students

High school education is a period when young people learn not only academic skills but also team collaboration and communication abilities.

Team programs built on the TerraHunt gaming platform offer students the opportunity to develop skills in practice through treasure hunting and task-solving.

Team games transform the study into an interactive experience, fostering critical thinking development and motivating young people to actively participate in the educational process.

Teacher is Watching Teams Over Coffee

Modern technology allows teacherss to track the progress of the game and the performance of individual teams in real-time, either from their office or even a café.

The results page is simple and intuitive.

Surprise for Your Class

Christmas season, the end of the school year, or celebrating a school anniversary – these are all ideal opportunities to reward students for their hard work throughout the year.

A team game can serve as an exciting surprise that not only lightens the mood in the classroom but also strengthens class spirit and cooperation among students.

Location-based or Story-based Games

The TerraHunt gaming platform allows for the creation of games tied to specific locations or story-driven games that transport students to virtual worlds full of adventure and challenges.

• Treasure Hunts utilizing real locations provide students with context and allow them to learn about history and geography in a fun way.
• Escape games, on the other hand, exercise skills in decoding ciphers, mathematics, combinatorics, or even propositional logic, all wrapped in adventurous themes. And you don’t have to travel anywhere, we can place the game right around your school.

Try Out a Demo Game

Download the TerraHunt app and play a demo. Experience firsthand which game will be most suitable for your students. Cooperate with us and provide great Treasure Hunts in your country, city, or school.

We have prepared not only location-based game demos but also virtual escape room demos and detailed tutorials. All you need to try them out is a mobile phone.

• iOS App
• Android App
• Guide to Installing the App and User Interface
• Explaining the Treasure Hunt Program to Players