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Setup Guide for the GAME MASTERS

swens lab

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.

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 the game 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 excitement of this escape game 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 – Professor Swen’s lab” 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 (This game can be printed in Black & White, but the whole experience is much better when it’s printed in color!)
  • Vivid photo (optional)

For better feeling use thicker paper, but any paper will get the job done!

Professor Swen’s lab is played as one team (2-5 players), or by multiple teams – like a competition.

If there are more than 5 players, don’t worry, just divide them into teams and print out one copy for each team. This way they can compete against each other, and the first team that manages to shut down the machine wins it all.

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. SET UP THE GAME

1. MAKE SURE YOU GRAB:

Almost everyone already has these items in their homes, and that’s why it’s very easy to start working on your 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. Separate the 3 challenges

challenges

3. Choose an empty table​

On the table, put:

  • The 1st challenge
  • The paper glue
  • The 2 pairs of scissors
  • The pencil.

“Professor Swen’s lab” 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.

4. 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.

qr code

*if you don’t want to use the app you can always use the solutions 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 shut down the machine!
  • They can use a maximum of 8 hints!
  • They can stop the time only once for 5 minutes!
  • After trying 3 wrong codes they lose 1 minute on each subsequent wrong code.

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.

Make it more special

You should know that an Escape Room game doesn’t start when players begin solving the challenges. Actually, the experience starts a bit earlier, with a short intro – a tool that a Game Master should use to increase the player’s immersion into the story. That’s why we created the mobile app – it adds a lot to the whole experience.

If you want to go 100% off-screen, which means not using the mobile app, just read out load the storyline to the players. Spice it up with a dramatic voice or, even better, use some of your acting skills. Well, it’s all about the fun, isn’t it?

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 local post office.

invitations and posters

Create a better atmosphere

  • Turn the lights low and put some candles around.
  • Get toys/items that suit the storyline
  • Set posters around the room. You can find them in the game kit.
  • Serve some drinks and snacks. The game tastes better this way!
kids

Extra experience

With a little more effort, you can make this game even more amazing. 

For example you can put the 2nd and 3rd challenge and the congratulation sheet into three different boxes and seal them with padlocks.

Hide the 3 boxes in the room, and place the first challenge on the table. These combination locks bring 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 four different rooms and lock the doors 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.

make it more special
lock

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 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!

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