Setup Guide for the GAME MASTERS
As a host you have the leading role in this whole experience. People like you make this piece of art transform into an amazing escape room game, and we are here to give you some tips on how to do it in the best way possible.
Houdini didn’t want just to give you the game and leave nothing for your bag of tricks. 95% of the game is ready to play, but the remaining 5% are where the magic happens. Every great illusionist needs his heirs to perform the greatest tricks, and this time Houdini needs a little bit of help from you.
The set-up has few steps, which take no more than 15 minutes of preparation. Of course, if you’re willing to put in more effort, you can make it even more amazing.
P.S. Maybe you want to team up with your kids, instead of just being their moderator. Well, this basic setup doesn’t contain any spoilers so you’ll be able to dive into this amazing story and play along with the kids. Trust me, the adults enjoy solving Houdini’s tricks and mysteries as much as their kids. But remember, sometimes kids can be smarter… so be prepared to avoid getting embarrassed.
Follow the next easy steps to bring the mystery of Houdini’s secret room right into your home:
Step 1: Download and Print
There are 3 ways to download your game kit:
- After the purchase you receive an email from hello@escaperoomgeeks.com with the download link.
- You can download it on the purchase confirmation page or
- In My Account page
Open the PDF file “THE GAME – Houdini’s secret room” and print it on a regular home/office color printer.
Go to printer properties and select:
- Letter or A4 paper size,
- Fit to paper,
- One-sided printing,
- Color mode: Color.
- Vivid photo (optional)
For a better feeling use thicker paper, but any paper will get the job done!
No matter how many players you have just print one copy for each group! It can be played as one team (2-5 people) or by multiple teams – like a competition.
2-5 players – print 1 copy
6-10 players – print 2 copies
11-15 players – print 3 copies and so on
Remember that you can print the game as many times as you want. If you are a teacher for example, it means that you can use this game for every generation in your classroom and become the coolest teacher in your school.
Step 2: SETUP THE GAME
1. Make sure Your Grab:
Almost everyone already has these items in their homes, and that’s why it’s very easy to start preparing the escape as soon as you buy the game. One of our goals was to make this game accessible at any time form the comfort of your home and to be playable using these everyday items on a budget.
2. Divide the characters by cutting them
3. Separate the 3 challenges
4. Choose an empty table where the game will be played.
On the table, put:
- The 1st challenge
- The six characters
- The paper glue,
- The scissors,
- The pencil.
Houdini’s secret room requires players to solve 3 challenges. The easiest way of orchestrating this game is to start with the first challenge, and when you/they solve it, just continue to the second one, and finally the third one. This way the escape room will be played as a tabletop game, but if you like to be more creative you can use some tips shown in the bonus section.
5. Download and open the mobile app
Using the mobile app will make your adventure much more fun and easy to follow. You’ll be able to get hints, play music, listen to voice intros and check the team’s progress. Also the app gives you an opportunity to play along with your kids.
*if you don’t want to use the app you can always use the solution guide included in the download files (spoiler alert).
…. AND THAT’S IT, A PIECE OF CAKE.
Game Rules
Creative people don’t like rules, they enjoy the freedom of choice.
That’s why we created this game with just a few rules, and everything else is a product of your and the player’s imagination.
- Players have 1 hour to escape the secret room
- They can use a maximum of 5 hints (using the HINTER)
- They can stop the time for 5 minutes (using the TIME KILLER)
- Every time they get a combination wrong, they lose 1 minutes.
Even these rules can be changed and your guests will still have a lot of fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment, just set up the game and enjoy it.
Bonus: Make it more special
1. Send invitations to the players
We have created editable invitations. Change the name, place and date of your party and send it to your guest via Facebook, Instagram, email etc.
If you want to keep the old-school style, print out the invitations and send them via the local post office.
2. Create a better atmosphere
Turn the lights low and put some candles around.
Get toys/items that suit the storyline (like “crystal” balls, hats, sticks, black tablecloth etc.)
Set posters around the room. You can find them in the game kit.
Serve some drinks and snacks. The game tastes better this way!
3. Extra experience
Use Padlocks
With a little more effort, you can make this game even more amazing. For example you can put the 2nd and 3rd challenge into two different boxes and seal them with padlocks.
Hide the two boxes in the room, and place the first challenge on the table. These combination locks bring a new dimension of experience. As the players try to physically open them, the intensity of the game slowly increases.
You can even put the challenges in three different rooms and lock them with the padlocks.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your creative ideas, because there isn’t much space for error, but there are far more opportunities to make it amazing.
Modify some puzzles using the bonus illustrations
What about after the game?
You should get the players involved even after they finish the game by making a short debrief. At this point the kids are having a blast, they feel smart, accomplished and they want to talk about the game. Go through the puzzles, ask them which character they liked the most, what they found the most interesting, which was the hardest challenge etc. Sharing these impressions brings the game full circle, making the experience more complete and fun. Better yet, make a themed photo with all the posters included in the game kit and post it on your social media profiles.
Have Fun!