What is Major Mindgames?
An escape room, also known as an escape game, puzzle room or exit game, is a game in which a team of players discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in one or more rooms to achieve a specific goal in a limited amount of time. The goal is to ‘escape’ from the site of the game.
The participants in an escape room normally play as a cooperative team consisting of two-to-eight players. Games are set in a variety of fictional locations, such as haunted houses, laboratories, or TV sets, and the players’ goals and the challenges they encounter will align with the theme of the room.
The game begins with a brief introduction to the rules of the game and how to win. Players enter a room or area wherein a clock is started, and they have a limited time to complete the game, typically 60 minutes. During this time, players explore, find clues, and solve puzzles that allow them to progress further in the game.
Challenges in an escape room generally are more mental than physical, and it is usually not necessary to be physically fit or dextrous. Different skills are required for different types of puzzles, ranging from science to mathematics, geography, and a basic understanding of other subjects. Well-designed escape room puzzles don’t require players to have any prior knowledge in any field; any specialised or little-known information required to solve a puzzle should be obtainable within the room itself.
If players get stuck, there is a mechanism in place by which they can ask for hints. Hints may be delivered in written, video, or audio form, or by a live gamemaster. The players ‘fail’ the room if they are unable to complete all the puzzles within the allotted time, but we strive to ensure that their customers have fun even if they don’t win. If players achieve the goal within the time limit, they win the game.
Importantly, players are never actually locked inside the room – this element of the game is symbolic, and they are free to enter and leave the game at any time should they wish… though they do so in the knowledge that the clock is always ticking!
We’re so excited to be bringing original, unique escape rooms to Horsham!