4D escape game rooms - new fad? good business opportunity? (1 Viewer)

[E-Z Glider]

Was in Athens, Greece last week with the family. Before going, I checked TripAdvisor and was both amused and intrigued to see that the #1 and #2 attractions in all of Athens were both "4D Escape Game Rooms". Really? Ahead of the Acropolis and Parthenon? Sounded like a good break from all the history, so I signed us up.

Basically, they lock you in this room(s) and you have one hour to get out by finding clues, solving puzzles and unlocking locks. Someone is watching you the whole time and helps you along via clues on a monitor if you get stuck. Long story short, it was an absolute blast. One the highlights of the trip for my kids. They would have gone back and done every room if we would have had the time. I think it would appeal to people of all ages.

The one we did was called Adventure Rooms and its a franchise, but there was also one called "Athens Clue" that I believe was independent and a quick google shows there's one the UK called Puzzlair thats also a franchise. Maybe there are more? I suppose a really creative person could probably create their own?

Anyway, it feels like this could be the beginning of a new fad so Id throw it our there for one of the young, ambitious FBGs to run with. I have to assume startup costs would be relatively low. After that, your only operating expenses would be rent and salaries. My only thoughts are that you would need to be located in a place that gets lots of visitors/tourists so you constantly had new people to do it and that you'd also probably want to sell high after a few years, especially if others start popping up around the country. Like any fad, it will have a shelf-life.

 

[Godsbrother]

Sounds cool.

 

[Quez]

The problem is the technology is changing so fast that by the time you bought all of the hardware required it would be outdated.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Forgot to mention, it cost $65 to do it. They had 7 time slots in the day and the place had 3 rooms, so $1365 a day at full capacity (it was at full capacity every day we were there, you needed to book it days in advance). They have only been open a month and are already planning expansion.

 

[E-Z Glider]

The problem is the technology is changing so fast that by the time you bought all of the hardware required it would be outdated.

There was no technology or hardware. The monitor in the room was just a PC monitor. The tools/clues/puzzles they used were nothing fancy. It was part of what made it cool.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Forgot to mention, it cost $65 to do it. They had 7 time slots in the day and the place had 3 rooms, so $1365 a day at full capacity (it was at full capacity every day we were there, you needed to book it days in advance). They have only been open a month and are already planning expansion.

So an hour in an empty room or a day at an amusement park.

 

[lakerstan]

I like those type of games in the app store. A live version sounds fun.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Forgot to mention, it cost $65 to do it. They had 7 time slots in the day and the place had 3 rooms, so $1365 a day at full capacity (it was at full capacity every day we were there, you needed to book it days in advance). They have only been open a month and are already planning expansion.

So an hour in an empty room or a day at an amusement park.

That was for four people though. It's for groups of 2 to 6 people.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Forgot to mention, it cost $65 to do it. They had 7 time slots in the day and the place had 3 rooms, so $1365 a day at full capacity (it was at full capacity every day we were there, you needed to book it days in advance). They have only been open a month and are already planning expansion.

So an hour in an empty room or a day at an amusement park.

That was for four people though. It's for groups of 2 to 6 people.

Oh. OK. That's a little more understandable. I thought it was $65 a person.

 

[hagmania]

They have a place that does this in Nashville. Been looking to go next time a group of friends visits.

 

[Bucky86]

That actually sounds fun. If I were bored and had a free day while on vacation I'd probably try it out.

 

[shader]

Was in Athens, Greece last week with the family. Before going, I checked TripAdvisor and was both amused and intrigued to see that the #1 and #2 attractions in all of Athens were both "4D Escape Game Rooms". Really? Ahead of the Acropolis and Parthenon? Sounded like a good break from all the history, so I signed us up.

Basically, they lock you in this room(s) and you have one hour to get out by finding clues, solving puzzles and unlocking locks. Someone is watching you the whole time and helps you along via clues on a monitor if you get stuck. Long story short, it was an absolute blast. One the highlights of the trip for my kids. They would have gone back and done every room if we would have had the time. I think it would appeal to people of all ages.

The one we did was called Adventure Rooms and its a franchise, but there was also one called "Athens Clue" that I believe was independent and a quick google shows there's one the UK called Puzzlair thats also a franchise. Maybe there are more? I suppose a really creative person could probably create their own?

Anyway, it feels like this could be the beginning of a new fad so Id throw it our there for one of the young, ambitious FBGs to run with. I have to assume startup costs would be relatively low. After that, your only operating expenses would be rent and salaries. My only thoughts are that you would need to be located in a place that gets lots of visitors/tourists so you constantly had new people to do it and that you'd also probably want to sell high after a few years, especially if others start popping up around the country. Like any fad, it will have a shelf-life.

It's funny you post this...

I went to one in Nashville. It had shot up to #1 on TripAdvisor. We had an absolute blast doing it, and the place is completely booked.

I think there is money to be made in certain areas. After we went, we all sat down and calculated what the cost would be of opening one up. We are all convinced that we could have made it work...but none of our group are willing to quit our job to actually "run it".

In any event, I do think there is money to be made, but I'm not 100% certain if it's just a fad or not.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Was in Athens, Greece last week with the family. Before going, I checked TripAdvisor and was both amused and intrigued to see that the #1 and #2 attractions in all of Athens were both "4D Escape Game Rooms". Really? Ahead of the Acropolis and Parthenon? Sounded like a good break from all the history, so I signed us up.

Basically, they lock you in this room(s) and you have one hour to get out by finding clues, solving puzzles and unlocking locks. Someone is watching you the whole time and helps you along via clues on a monitor if you get stuck. Long story short, it was an absolute blast. One the highlights of the trip for my kids. They would have gone back and done every room if we would have had the time. I think it would appeal to people of all ages.

The one we did was called Adventure Rooms and its a franchise, but there was also one called "Athens Clue" that I believe was independent and a quick google shows there's one the UK called Puzzlair thats also a franchise. Maybe there are more? I suppose a really creative person could probably create their own?

Anyway, it feels like this could be the beginning of a new fad so Id throw it our there for one of the young, ambitious FBGs to run with. I have to assume startup costs would be relatively low. After that, your only operating expenses would be rent and salaries. My only thoughts are that you would need to be located in a place that gets lots of visitors/tourists so you constantly had new people to do it and that you'd also probably want to sell high after a few years, especially if others start popping up around the country. Like any fad, it will have a shelf-life.

none of our group are willing to quit our job to actually "run it".

I'm not 100% certain if it's just a fad or not.

I wouldnt either, but surely there has to be someone out there who isnt already getting filthy rich doing an easy job, no?

How many times do you think the average person would do it? 2-4 maybe?

 

[dickey moe]

What happens if the guy at the monitor dies of a heart attack or is abducted by aliens or something like that?

 

[TheIronSheik]

What happens if the guy at the monitor dies of a heart attack or is abducted by aliens or something like that?

Bonus time in the box.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Forgot to mention, it cost $65 to do it. They had 7 time slots in the day and the place had 3 rooms, so $1365 a day at full capacity (it was at full capacity every day we were there, you needed to book it days in advance). They have only been open a month and are already planning expansion.

So an hour in an empty room or a day at an amusement park.

So I get to be around the people I want vs 680,000 jerks? Give me the room.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Forgot to mention, it cost $65 to do it. They had 7 time slots in the day and the place had 3 rooms, so $1365 a day at full capacity (it was at full capacity every day we were there, you needed to book it days in advance). They have only been open a month and are already planning expansion.

So an hour in an empty room or a day at an amusement park.

So I get to be around the people I want vs 680,000 jerks? Give me the room.

You can get a room at a motel for cheaper.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Forgot to mention, it cost $65 to do it. They had 7 time slots in the day and the place had 3 rooms, so $1365 a day at full capacity (it was at full capacity every day we were there, you needed to book it days in advance). They have only been open a month and are already planning expansion.

So an hour in an empty room or a day at an amusement park.

So I get to be around the people I want vs 680,000 jerks? Give me the room.

You can get a room at a motel for cheaper.

I like my threats of hepatitis and death to be fictional.

 

[Osaurus]

Theme rooms have been around a while...and games, well those are up to you

 

[Fennis]

They have one in Seattle. Haven't done it yet. Requires 12 people @ $30 a person.

I hear its a lot of fun.

http://www.puzzlebreak.us/

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

So this is the new moon bounce rental starter companies...... Not bad.