1. Designing escape rooms

2. Types of puzzles
Finding things (e.g. hidden objects, ultra violet messages)
Spatial puzzles (e.g. maps, co-ordinates, vectors, overlays)
Physical puzzles (e.g. jigsaws, secret boxes, reaching inaccessible objects)
Codes (e.g. Morse, semaphore, substitution cyphers, binary)
Traditional puzzles (e.g. riddles, logic, word, maths)
Spotting patterns (e.g. identifying sequences)

3. Puzzle design Considerations
Make sure that puzzles are fair
Is it obvious that they are puzzles that need to be solved?
Is there a way that they can become unsolvable?
Is it obvious when the correct solution is found and how to apply it?
Make sure there is only one possible solution
Use strategic red herrings
Test, test, and test again

4. Designing a room (1) A room plan is invaluable
Provide a balance of types and difficulties of puzzles
Consider different types of lock
Physical (padlocks, keys)
Mechanical (magnets, weights, gears)
Electronic (computer passwords)
Options for communication between players and gamesmaster
Clues delivered digitally (e.g. on a monitor)
Walkie-talkie
Phone
An actual person

5. Designing a room (2) Challenge management
How will you provide clues/hints?
Will hints be given on request or when you think they’re needed?
Will you limit the number of clues?
Will you provide straight or cryptic clues?
Clues and hints also need to be tested
Make sure everything is safe
Briefing and rules

6. Designing a room (3) Theme/narrative Secrets and surprises
Setting the scene
staging and props
lighting and sound
backstory
The end game – how will you provide a satisfying finish?

7. Your mission
Design a 30 minute escape game that can be used on open days to engage students with maths and computer science.
Each group will need to produce:
Room plan
Description of each puzzle (name, type, difficulty, hints, answer)
List of resources required
Set-up plan