Here is our guide to online escape rooms.
We put this guide together after running thousands of successful virtual team building activities and connecting remote teams in all industries for over a decade!
Playing an online escape room virtually with teams involves collaborating to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and ultimately “escape” from a digital scenario within a set time limit. This activity fosters teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills as team members work together to overcome challenges and achieve a common goal. By immersing themselves in a virtual world, teams can strengthen bonds, boost morale, and enhance their ability to collaborate effectively in a remote environment, ultimately leading to increased productivity and cohesion within the team.
Ideal group size:
4 to 6 players
This size allows for effective collaboration and communication among team members without overcrowding the virtual space.
Activity duration:
60 to 90 minutes
Cost:
$20 to $60 per person
What you’ll need:
- Stable internet connection
- Computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone
- Access to a web browser
- Video conferencing software for communication (optional but recommended for team coordination)
- Access to the online escape room platform or game website
How to play:
Step 1: Choose the Online Escape Room
First, select a suitable online escape room platform or game that aligns with your team’s interests and preferences. Be sure the site is compatible with your chosen devices and can accommodate your team size.
Step 2: Set Up the Virtual Meeting
After choosing a game, schedule a virtual meeting using your preferred video conferencing software. Further, ensure all team members have access to the meeting link and are familiar with the platform’s features.
Step 3: Divide Roles and Assign Tasks
Next, designate roles and responsibilities within the team, assigning tasks such as puzzle-solving, clue-tracking, and timekeeping to ensure efficient teamwork and coordination throughout the game.
Step 4: Familiarize with Game Mechanics
Before starting, review the rules and mechanics of the chosen online escape room with your team. This step ensures the whole team understands how to navigate the virtual environment, interact with objects, and solve puzzles effectively.
Step 5: Start the Game
Finally, enter the virtual escape room with your team and begin exploring the environment, searching for clues, and solving puzzles to progress through the game.
Step 6: Communicate and Collaborate
During the game, maintain open communication channels with your team throughout the game. Groups should share discoveries, ideas, and insights to collectively tackle challenges and overcome obstacles.
Step 7: Manage Time Wisely
Throughout, keep track of the time remaining and prioritize tasks accordingly. Teams should focus on solving critical puzzles and unlocking clues to advance toward the ultimate goal of escaping the virtual room.
Step 8: Seek Help When Needed
Be sure to ask for hints or assistance from the game facilitator or support team if your team gets stuck on a particularly challenging puzzle or clue.
Examples of games or activities:
1. Escape Experience: The Inheritance: Mystery Room
Description: In this online escape room game offered by Escape Experience, participants must uncover the secrets of a mysterious inheritance left behind by a wealthy eccentric.
- Gather your team in a virtual meeting room and access Escape Experience’s online platform.
- Enter the virtual space and explore your surroundings.
- Investigate clues and solve intricate puzzles scattered throughout the space to uncover the truth behind the inheritance.
- Collaborate with your team to piece together the family’s history and unravel hidden secrets.
- Navigate through twists and turns in the storyline as you race against time to claim the inheritance.
- Celebrate your success as you unlock the final mystery and emerge victorious.
Escape Experience’s The Inheritance: Mystery Room offers an immersive and suspenseful adventure, perfect for teams seeking a captivating challenge. The intriguing storyline and challenging puzzles make it a memorable and rewarding team building activity, fostering collaboration and critical thinking skills among participants.
Check out Escape Experience.
2. Trapped Puzzle Rooms: Pirate’s Plunder
Description: Participants are transported to the high seas, where they must navigate treacherous waters, solve puzzles, and outwit the dreaded Dread Pirate Boberts to claim the legendary treasure.
- Assemble your crew in a virtual meeting room and prepare to embark on a pirate adventure using Trapped Puzzle Rooms’ online platform.
- Board the virtual pirate ship and set sail on the open seas, looking for hidden clues and secret passages.
- Solve pirate-themed puzzles and riddles to unlock chests, decipher maps, and reveal the location of the coveted treasure.
- Beware of encounters with the notorious Dread Pirate Boberts, who will stop at nothing to thwart your plundering efforts.
- Collaborate with your crewmates to outmaneuver the pirate captain and claim the treasure before it is too late.
Trapped Puzzle Rooms’ Pirate’s Plunder offers an exhilarating and immersive pirate adventure, perfect for teams seeking swashbuckling excitement. The thrilling storyline and challenging puzzles make it a memorable and entertaining team building activity, fostering camaraderie and strategic thinking among participants.
Check out Trapped Puzzle Rooms.
Tips:
- Communicate: Keep the lines of communication open with your team members to share discoveries, ideas, and solutions effectively.
- Divide and conquer: Assign roles and tasks to team members based on their strengths and expertise to maximize efficiency and productivity.
- Think outside the box: Approach puzzles and challenges creatively, considering unconventional solutions and perspectives.
- Manage Time: Keep track of the time remaining and prioritize tasks accordingly to ensure you complete the game within the allotted time frame.
- Ask for help: If you are stuck on a puzzle or clue, do not hesitate to request hints or assistance from the game master to keep the game progressing.
- Stay organized: Keep track of clues, codes, and information gathered throughout the game to avoid overlooking important details.
- Have fun: Remember to enjoy the adventure and celebrate your successes with your team, regardless of the outcome.
Final Thoughts
Online escape rooms are great for fostering collaboration, communication, and camaraderie among team members. These immersive experiences provide teams with an exciting opportunity to work together toward a common goal, overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way. Whether navigating through a haunted mansion, exploring a mysterious inheritance, or plundering treasure as pirates, each adventure strengthens bonds and cultivates essential teamwork skills in a fun and engaging manner.
Want more ideas? Check out our post on virtual escape rooms.
