Since 2010, more than 1,035 escape rooms have been created and the number is growing every year. But how did the idea for the first escape room actually start?

Escape rooms as we know it today is actually an evolution of a Japanese video game from 2004. The game "Crimson Room" was developed by Japanese Toshimitsu Takagi and was the first escape room video game on the market. The game, as we know it from today's escape rooms, was about solving puzzles and clicking around a room to escape the room before time ran out. Three years after the game was released, Japanese company SCRAP Entertainment was inspired to create an analogue concept that later became an escape room. They adopted the idea that players had x number of minutes or hours to escape a room. Puzzle solving, mystery and brain twisting were the developers' keywords. The escape room became so popular that the rest of Asia, Europe and the US were eager to try and develop the new game. In 2010, SCRAP Entertainment opened their first escape room in San Francisco, USA. Just two years later, 367 escape rooms were registered nationwide in the US.

Escape rooms have since evolved tremendously and mystery makers across the globe are constantly working to build even wilder, more innovative and unique escape rooms. Because escape rooms are a unique segment of the market and continue to grow in popularity, a number of marketers have also researched the phenomenon. In 2015, for example, a study was conducted that showed the types of puzzle and clue designs most commonly found in escape rooms:

Physical objects hidden in space: 78%

Team communication: 58%

Using something in an unusual way (out-of-the-box thinking): 47%

Searching for objects in images: 43%

Mounting a physical object (such as a puzzle): 40%

Algebra and other maths: 39%

Pattern identification (such as visualising a shape in a set of dots): 38%

Mirrors: 26%

Strategic thinking (like chess): 20%

Whether you're more interested in the more video game-like escape rooms or those where your maths knowledge comes into play, we're sure to have the right escape room for you. Contact us today to find out more.

The whole point of an escape room is to look for clues and solve puzzles, which is entertaining and fun for many. But in addition to escaping rooms being an enjoyable activity, it's also good for memory and creativity. Problem solving and puzzles benefit both brain function and brain activity.

It's no secret that escape rooms are probably one of the most fun activities, but solving puzzles has actually been proven to improve your mood. An article in USA Today explains that solving puzzles increases our brain's production of dopamine, which helps regulate our mood. Every time we solve a puzzle correctly, dopamine is released in our brains. No wonder escape rooms are so much fun! The production of dopamine in our brain also helps regulate stress.
The USA Today article also describes that problem and puzzle solving helps improve memory by strengthening the existing connections between our brain cells. As a result, we can improve our mental speed and thought process. This also makes sense in an escape room as it can often be necessary to remember where certain clues were found, or perhaps in what order these clues were found. Furthermore, it is of course obvious that having fast thought processes will benefit you in an escape room, as the game is timed.

Another fantastic benefit of escape room activities is that they accelerate ingenuity. This means that as we solve puzzles and search for clues, our brains are forced to create new ideas to come up with a solution. For example, when we work through a puzzle, we are actually working through a series of guesses, using creativity to test our theories. This type of problem solving encourages us to be creative and innovative in a unique way. Through problem solving and working through puzzles, we get the opportunity to use our brains in a unique way and strengthen different parts of the brain. We are able to become more creative, improve our memory and relieve stress! If simply solving puzzles can help the brain function better, just think what an hour in an escape room can do for you!

We've scoured reddit for the strangest, most incredible and funniest stories from escape rooms around the world. Here are 10 of the best.

#10: The escape room trip that resulted in a headache the next day
This happened to one of my colleagues the last time we were in an escape room. In the room was this fake door whose purpose was to make people think it was the entrance and exit to the escape room (we were blindfolded as we were led into the room). One guy was so happy that he found the door in record time that when he tried to open the fake door, he banged his head so hard into it that the group in the next room got scared.

- magnolious, reddit

#9: Those who help are communists
I once observed a young couple in one of our most difficult escape rooms. They couldn't solve any of the puzzles, so instead they took off their shoes, sat down and started talking about everything. When I sent them clues to get them playing again, the woman started calling me a communist. It was strange, since I'm not a communist and the escape room doesn't have a communist theme.

- Hussain300, reddit

#8: Where nothing ventured, nothing lost
Employee here. I had a group once who gave up after five minutes and decided to just drink beer for the rest of the game. They paid 1100 kroner for the game.

- Tcimmi, reddit

#7: Time for a nap
There was once a player who emptied all the boxes in the escape room, dismantled the table in the corner, laid it down and then lay down on it to take a nap until the rest of the group escaped the room.

- AnArmedPenguin, reddit

#6: Escape rooms and love may not be a good cocktail
I've seen a relationship almost fall apart in an escape room. A couple insisted on trying our most challenging escape room, just the two of them. I told them it probably wasn't a good idea as the room is best suited for larger groups as it requires a lot of players, but they didn't care. It was very clear that the guy really wanted to impress the girl, but none of them were very sharp. I was forced to sit for an hour watching them get nowhere in the game while they argued over who was the dumbest. I offered to help them along the way, but they refused to accept help.

- WildyMegaWolf, reddit

#5: The mum who "carried" the team
I was in a space-station escape room where we were grouped with a mum and her two adult sons. The sons did a good job, but the mother was clueless. There was a fire extinguisher prop in the escape room that she was SURE was going to be used for something. She wandered around carrying the fire extinguisher for an hour and we didn't use it once throughout the game.

- Darwin57, reddit

#4: Files must be hiding INSIDE the computer
I work in an escape room and one of my colleagues once saw a group of players getting really destructive in one of our rooms. They started throwing the computer that was placed in the room on the floor to see if there were any clues hidden inside it. Of course there weren't, they should have just used the magnifying glass to read the monitor.

- RayRay223, reddit

#3: Policemen never take a day off
I visited an escape room where they had hired an actor to play a spy. The mission in the room was to solve the mystery of who the traitor in the room was. After we finished the game, it turned out that the traitor was actually the spy played by the actor. At the reveal, the spy pulls out a gun, which is very clearly a toy gun. This causes one of the players, who works as a policeman, to tackle and detain the actor until he realises that this is part of the game.

- IntenseItalian, reddit

#2: Elastic Girl exists
In our prison themed escape room, we have a laser maze that players have to crawl/climb through to deactivate and move on. Two players are needed to deactivate the laser maze (or so I thought) because there are 3 buttons to press, with the third button being out of reach from the other two.
A family came in to play our game, consisting of a younger boy, a girl in her mid-twenties, their parents and their grandfather who was on crutches. They are playing the game and come to the laser maze as they are a bit pressed for time. The girl gets through relatively easily, but they have to move quickly as time is running out. The young boy then has a great idea. "Here! Use grandpa's crutch!" he exclaims, before taking grandpa's crutch and throwing it to the other side of the lasers, to his sister. Although the crutch can now help her sister hit all three buttons simultaneously, it's still not quite enough. The girl decides to find the right spot on the floor, plants one foot there while walking in a perfect perpendicular line and places her other foot on the button, her hand on the centre button and the crutch on the last button.
The family came out of the room so proud and the sister bragged to the family about her daily yoga. She almost convinced me to sign up for yoga too because it was so impressive.

- Emjov, reddit

#1: The kid who wanted to propose to his girlfriend
In our escape rooms you can also arrange to propose. One day a guy calls to get it all organised, to which I ask which escape room he wants etc. I tell him the total amount to book the whole room for the proposal, but he insists on just booking two tickets for him and his girlfriend. The problem is that when you propose in an escape room, it stops the whole game and we can't have strangers who have nothing to do with the proposal interrupting the game they paid for. However, he refuses to pay, so I send him to my manager. For the next three weeks, the guy calls EVERY. EVERY. DAY to check that everything is (still) on schedule. We repeatedly tell him that there are no more things to plan and that we know what we're doing, but the guy continues his countless calls. The big day finally arrives and he has planned to come earlier so he can hide in the escape room. When we see the guy, however, we get a huge surprise. He's a teenager, no older than 16. We wonder if we should advise him against getting married at such an early age, but decide it's too late at this point. The teenager is hiding in the escape room when his girlfriend arrives and works her way through the game to the room where he is hiding. All the staff are gathered around the monitor to witness what is about to happen. The guy jumps out of the hidden room, holding a sign that reads: "will you go with me to PROM?". All of us employees boil with rage. For weeks this teenager has been getting on our nerves and all it took was a PROM posal?
By the way, the girl said no thanks to going to the prom with him.

- simonjester523, reddit

Note: All threads have been translated from the original English.

Are you looking for a little warm-up before you try your hand at an escape room? Then you can try out the three mystery games we've found for good reason!

Our mystery lean colleagues from escape room company "Time's Up" in Australia have developed three sets of escape room inspired games that you can print out and play at home. We think they're awesome, so we've decided to share them with you. Both games are in English, so we've put together a little guide so that even those who are not fluent in English can join in.

1. Roaring Prohibition

The game takes place in the fabulous 1920s when an experiment that makes all consumption and sale of alcohol illegal takes place in the USA. In the game, you are a thirsty soul who wants to go to one of the secret parties where alcoholic drinks are still available. The mission is to get the clues to form a location, date, time and a password. All the elements needed for you to find the place and get in. You start from the newspaper clipping at the top, which contains patterns that will reveal how to decode the different clues. We don't want to give too much away, of course, but we will say one thing: Remember that in English, months are capitalised.

2. Crime Scene Investigation

In this mystery game, you are a police officer who has to crack the code of who committed the murder of the body you have just found. You've narrowed it down to six suspects, so it's up to you to find out which number of suspects is the perpetrator, what his name is, his murder weapon, the date, time and location. There is only one witness who caught a brief glimpse of the killer before he disappeared. Can you piece together the clues and catch the killer before he strikes again? Actually, you don't need a lot of instructions for this game as there is a whole file of clues that we don't want to spoil the mystery and excitement of the game. However, we would like to emphasise that it's important to keep your tongue firmly in your cheek when it comes to converting currency. And we haven't said too much.

3. Treasure Hunt

In this pirate escape game, you and your team must find the missing treasure they call La Noche Triste. The treasure contains endless amounts of gold, so whoever finds it first can look forward to endless riches. The problem is that none of the pirates who originally helped dig it up are still alive. You have to crack the code yourself and the game starts with finding out which country the treasure was last seen in. The first puzzle can be a bit tricky to crack, so we'll help you get started. Think about the name of the treasure - what language does it sound like it comes from? And where is that language spoken? But then we won't help you any more!

You can download the three games and clues here: Unfortunately, the link is no longer active

Once you've got your blood pumping after playing the two games, you can book an escape room with us and try your hand at a real-life escape room.

It sounds almost too good to be true, but you can actually use TV series for something useful - to help you in the escape room world. We've gathered three series that can help you beat an escape room. Doesn't that sound like another good excuse to binge-watch another series?

Criminal Minds

The hit US series follows the FBI's elite Behavioural Analysis Unie (BAU) group of profilers who analyse the country's most dangerous suspects in the hope of predicting their next move. The team analyses everything from potential childhood trauma to recent diagnoses, all of which helps them one step closer to understanding the killer and his motive. By building a profile of who the killer is and what he wants, they also get closer to the clues the perpetrator may have left behind. Think like the suspect is the main way the team uncovers the most clues.
If you're trying to escape the basement of a psychopathic serial killer as in our The Killing Room, you can utilise the same elements that the BAU team uses. Despite the fact that you may not have the time and resources to analyse childhood trauma, you can still make use of many of the Criminal Minds group's techniques. The better you are at familiarising yourself with the escape room's protagonist, the easier it is to find potential clues and clues in the room itself. Think like the killer - where would he hide the key to the lock?

A Series of Unfortunate Events

The series, titled "An Accident Rarely Comes Alone", follows three Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny, who have been orphaned by the death of their parents during the destruction of their home. As the children are bounced between different foster homes, they are pursued by Count Olaf, who wants to gain control of the vast Baudelaire legacy before the children come of age. But to get the inheritance, Count Olaf must first get rid of the three siblings. Throughout the series, their lives are put to the test again and again, where only their creativity can save them - as it does time and time again. The three siblings are an invincible team that we wouldn't want to compete in an escape room with, but whose working methods we can learn from. Violet has the expression: "there is always something" when it comes to escaping unfortunate or potentially deadly situations. She always manages to find materials that can be used to escape, no matter the circumstances. This can be applied to escape rooms with good reason. Because there is ALWAYS something. Have you looked over in the corner? Is there actually something between the cushions on that sofa? Or maybe the answer is hanging right above you on the ceiling? Follow Violet's lead and keep this saying in mind - you'll definitely have more success finding clues and keys in an escape room.

FRIENDS

We know what you're thinking, but yes, FRIENDS can actually help you win an escape room! Despite the fact that the show has no criminal undertones whatsoever (apart from the episode where Phoebe dates a cop), there's still a lot you can take from it that will benefit you in an escape room. One of the most popular shows of our time, it follows six friends Joey, Ross, Chandler, Rachel, Phoebe and Monica through their ups and downs in New York City. The elements worth noting when it comes to escape room techniques is that despite their differences, the six friends always stick together. One is a palaeontologist while another works in fashion, but that doesn't stop them from having fun and working together in the face of adversity. When you're in an escape room as a group, group dynamics are put to the test. Not only do you have to be patient with each other, but you should also capitalise on the fact that you all come with different mindsets, approaches and techniques. This is not only your chance to prove that you are sharp enough to work together and escape the escape room, but it's also your chance to show that you are at least as united as the FRIENDS team - even under pressure.

Have you already seen all three series? Then why don't you book your escape room today and see if the theories hold true.

People are different and this is especially evident in an escape room. When groups of people come together with a common goal, they tend to take on four different roles. Read on to find out which role you are.

1. Leather

The leader is the player who, seconds after entering the escape room, takes responsibility for winning the game. The leader will usually distribute the workloads and roles, as well as develop a strategy for how to best and most efficiently explore the entire room. In other words, the leader is the glue that holds all the players together. When and if you manage to win the game before time runs out, the leader is also the one who will be most proud, as they feel their leadership skills are partly to thank for the victory.
Are you a leader? The characteristics of them are:

• You are good at creating an overview
• You stay calm in stressful situations
• You have a clear mission and stay focused on achieving it
• You make sure everyone feels included

2. The adventurous one

The adventurous one is the player who brings the most energy to your team and maintains team spirit. They are happy to tackle the room with their teammates and are always looking for surprises in the escape room. They may be the first to notice that there is a hidden room behind the bookcase, or they may volunteer to crawl through the uncovered air duct. They make sure their team supports each other and utilises each person's strengths.
Are you the adventurous one? Characteristics of them are:

• You're always ready for new experiences
• You are brave and enjoy challenges
• You take headwinds with a smile
• You see the glass as half full

3. The wire collector

Clue collectors are observant and curious. They are good at spotting things that look remarkable and identifying important parts of the escape room. Clue collectors are the first player to dismantle the escape room to search through all drawers, folders and under carpets. They pick up all the clues and are convinced that they will all be needed later in the game. In addition to this, clue collectors are also good at communicating when they have found a clue so they can share them with the other players to get the whole team working. They also have a sticky brain and remember every single clue they come across throughout the game.
Are you a clue collector? Characteristics of them are:

• You can find a needle in a haystack
• You're the type who NEVER loses your keys and can always find yours.
• You have a magnificent memory
• You might tend to be a bit of a collector (but that's okay, because it benefits the team later!)

4. The code breaker

The code breaker is an essential part of any escape room team. They are good at noticing patterns, solving challenges and cracking codes. They think about ideas and puzzles until they figure out how to solve each challenge they face. When the team gets stuck or feels their time is best spent helping elsewhere in the escape room, they all look to the code breakers for hope. Codebreakers are often super sharp too, seeing solutions that others only see gibberish.

Are you a code breaker? Characteristics of them are:

• You see patterns and repetitions in everything
• You have a steely backbone and do NOT give up
• You eat puzzles for breakfast
• When others say "I simply can't solve this" you take action

The corona crisis has hit all of Denmark. Distance requirements, hand sanitiser and assembly bans have become a habit for most of us. Danes must avoid physical contact to minimise the spread of infection.

But, you've been in home quarantine for a while now. You've already been on the phone with all your family members, baked a few too many sourdough buns and attended way too many Google Hangout meetings with your colleagues. The restlessness, hunger and boredom are starting to set in. You ask yourself: What can you do during the corona crisis?

TAKE AN OUTDOOR MYSTERY HUNT IN THE KING'S GARDEN

One of the things you can do when you're bored at home is to head outside. But it can be hard to get inspired to go for a walk for the twentieth time. The brain, like the rest of the body, needs exercise and stimulation after months of shutdown. Home workouts can do a lot, but you miss using your laughter muscles most of all, and they rarely come into play when you can't see your friends. It's getting hard to find creative and fun ways to spend time together at a distance - you really need some tips.

BEST TIP

Our top tip for a fun and healthy activity is a Mystery Hunt. We guarantee you won't be bored! A Mystery Hunt is a historical cultural treasure hunt in an iconic area. You'll be put to the test in problem solving and creative thinking - and best of all, it can all be done with your friends without breaking the distance requirement. It's a great idea for what to do when you're bored.

WHAT IS A MYSTERY HUNT?

A Mystery Hunt is an exciting and fun treasure hunt for adults. Here your intelligence will be put to the test. It's the perfect way to kill boredom.

We have four different Mystery Hunts, all packed with mystery and history.

One of our Mystery Hunts takes place in Copenhagen's old castle. Here you will discover the secrets of war and the noble arts of warfare. If you know the difference between true and false and you can trust your friends, together you can solve the puzzle and complete the mission. This Mystery Hunt takes place outdoors.

READ MORE ABOUT MYSTERY HUNT CASTLE

You can also go hunting in the King's Garden in the heart of Copenhagen. Here you will discover royal secrets. This is where you can prove you have blue blood in your veins if you can solve the court jester's riddle and help the dying king. This Mystery Hunt is outdoors.

READ MORE ABOUT MYSTERY HUNT KING'S GARDEN

Explore Christiansborg Castle. You'll find hidden treasures in the castle's many beautiful halls. If you can crack the code, you'll get close to the power struggles for the Danish kingdom. This Mystery Hunt takes place indoors.

READ MORE ABOUT MYSTERY HUNT CHRISTIANSBORG CASTLE

Experience Kronborg Castle like never before. Christian the 4th sits on the throne. His vast wealth is the root of the kingdom's problems. There is now a curse on the kingdom. Under Kronborg lies clues, if you can find them you can break the curse on Denmark. This Mystery Hunt takes place indoors.

READ MORE ABOUT MYSTERY HUNT KORNBORG CASTLE

Of course, we follow the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority. All participants are divided into teams of four to eight participants. We take every precaution. If you want to be extra careful, you can choose one of our two outdoor Mystery Hunts.

A Mystery Hunt is our top tip for a healthy activity that ensures community, fun and brain exercise - next time you ask yourself: What can you do during the corona crisis? - you'll have your answer. At least now you have a great tip on how to beat boredom.

NOTE: We open for bookings again from 8 June.

Summer 2020 will be a different kind of summer. But different doesn't mean boring. At Mystery Makers, we've lowered our prices all summer long, so you can plan a holiday full of puzzle-solving in Denmark and still save up for that big trip abroad next year. Read on in this blog post where we give you five reasons why a Mystery Makers activity is the perfect summer holiday activity.

1. A break from the usual summer activities

All winter long we dream of warm temperatures and lying on the beach again. However, once you've been sunburnt for the tenth time, swallowed enough seawater and become the undefeated champion of the game of kings, boredom can quickly set in. That's where our activities come in. A trip to the Mystery Room or the Hunt is anything but the usual summer holiday activity. Whether you're looking for a themed activity suitable for a trip with family, friends or colleagues, Mystery Makers is sure to have an experience to suit you and your party. Immerse yourself in our different storylines and explore a universe that is completely different from the daily grind.

2. Intelligent entertainment

Although our activities range widely in theme, they all have one thing in common: they stimulate your brain. Through our games, you'll challenge your puzzle-solving skills and put your team's co-operation to the test. Has working at home during the pandemic left you feeling a little light-headed? And do you think the kids are getting a little too lethargic after months of distance learning? Swap the bland summer activities and put the whole family's brains to work by booking one of our experiences.

3. Opportunity to be outdoors

Perhaps you're put off by the idea of staying indoors when the weather outside is marvellous. Luckily for you, at Mystery Makers we also have an outdoor alternative to the classic Mystery Room. Our Mystery Hunts all take place outside in Copenhagen's green spaces such as Kongens Have and Kastellet.

4. Mystery is not only found in the dark winter

For some, mystery may go hand in hand with dark nights and cold months. Even though the summer nights aren't particularly long or dark, that doesn't mean the mystery has to disappear completely. When you choose one of our activities, you get the opportunity to step into a hair-raising universe regardless of the season.

Summer may have turned down the darkness of the outdoors, but we've turned up the fun in our activities.

5. Safety is a priority

Despite the first half of the pandemic appearing to be over, many of us will still be taking some precautions to ensure health. All our activities have been given the green light by the government and will be organised in a safe manner. Whether you choose our Hunts or Rooms, only you and your loved ones are in the game. Our experiences don't require you to be in contact with anyone other than those you would otherwise be in contact with. Whether it's your colleagues from the office, your family or your closest friends is entirely up to you.

We look forward to seeing you in one of our Rooms or Hunts during the summer!

At Mystery Makers, we characterise our experiences as brainstorming - So the words 'entertainment' and 'brain' combined, which of course means that what we do is intelligent entertainment. Although we don't believe that our experiences are either seasonal or follow a specific fashion wave, we like to immerse ourselves in our industry. New phenomena and aspects of intelligent entertainment are constantly being developed, which we at Mystery Makers find exciting. We've taken a look at some of 2020's biggest trends in intelligent entertainment and put them into perspective for our own experiences.

1. Activities that contribute to your personal development

It probably comes as no surprise that the beauty, fashion, sports and health industries continue to grow in popularity and are industries that we spend an increasing amount of money on. But in fact, it's no longer just the appearance aspect of personal beautification that consumers crave. There is a growing interest in products and services that contribute to personal development - including through entertainment. Developing and acquiring new skills is in high demand, especially if this can be achieved through fun activities. When you choose to go on a Mystery Hunt, you not only gain new knowledge about the history and culture of Copenhagen, but you also develop your problem-solving and teamwork skills. These are exactly the kind of skills that consumers want to develop, as they are skills that can be useful in the workplace as well as at home. So when you choose an activity that aims to challenge these skills, you feel that it's an investment in personal development that will pay off in the long run.

2. Mastering staying focused

It's easy to get caught up in the stresses of everyday life and with multiple balls in the air at the same time, you forget what it feels like to give yourself 100% to a specific focus point. Not being distracted and instead giving your full attention to the here and now experience is truly a concept that more and more people are demanding. Studies show that the average employee only has 11 minutes of real work time during an 8-hour workday in the office. When you get 60 to 120 minutes to immerse yourself in one of our experiences, it can be seen as a privilege. Time to focus also means time to really get caught up in a mood, or in the case of our experiences, a specific story. This helps make the feeling of being entertained seem more intense. It's comparable to sitting through an entire film without checking your phone once. You just feel the story better and immerse yourself in the universe when there are no interruptions or distractions. Not only is it a break from the stressful everyday life where everyone is constantly pulling at you, it's also good brain exercise that forces you to train your concentration. It's a proven fact that humans can usually only focus for about 10 minutes at a time. Why not take back control and challenge how long you can concentrate on a single thing? Our mysterious puzzles and exciting environments allow you to focus on the task at hand for at least 60 minutes, a six-fold increase compared to the average uninterrupted concentration time.

3. Analogue entertainment has its charm

Whether you're a big consumer of it or not, there's no getting around the fact that the world has become digitalised. This is also true when it comes to entertainment. With digitalisation and technology comes many cool opportunities such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence incorporated into entertainment experiences. However, the massive consumption of digital resources can sometimes get out of hand. The challenge in the digital era is learning to balance the analogue with the digital. Our everyday lives are so heavily influenced by digital that there is a growing interest in analogue alternatives. This is especially true when it comes to socialising. At Mystery Makers, all our experiences are completely analogue. In both our Mystery Hunt and Mystery Room, all parts of the game are physical objects that you can touch and feel. In our Mystery Hunt, the rules of the game are written in black and white on paper, while clues are designed on cardboard. This gives a completely different feeling of being present when taking part in analogue entertainment. It also provides a break from the sometimes technological zombie state we find ourselves in. Everything we do doesn't have to be swipe-able or dependent on a stable internet connection. Not only is analogue entertainment super trendy, but we also believe it's healthy to give your head a screen break, just once in a while. When you book an experience with us, we guarantee that you won't be able to find anything more interesting on your phone anyway.

Whether you feel like jumping on the bandwagon or not, we're sure to have an experience that suits you. What all our Mystery Rooms and Mystery Hunts have in common is that you are the centre of attention.