Defending Escape Room Tropes We Hate

In episode 18, we talk about the board game T.I.M.E. Stories as well as Cyan's latest adventure game Obduction!

We also talk about escape room elements we have ranted about but this time we defend them! At least, we start off defending them.

And there is a lot of Manpans teasing. Errol's a jerk. 

Links Talked About in Podcast

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

Escape Room Related Board Games with Donald Dennis

In Episode 17, we join Donald Dennis who is the host of On Board Games. We have a great discussion on escape room related board games, and other games that struck our fancy!

We are hopeful for the upcoming batches of escape room board games, but our expectations are especially high, being divas and all!

Errol is extremely pleased someone else wrote and sang the parody song! Eric Boudreau, owner of Escape Capers in Calgary wrote the lyrics to "At Least One Way To Leave This Locked Room", and it was performed by the one and only Annie Pattison, who also works there! (Seriously, check out her youtube page to hear more of her singing! She's awesome!)

We really hope you enjoy this episode! And Donald asked a question for the listeners, so by all means, please answer!

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

Let's Play Mystery at the Stargazer's Manor

In our 16th episode, we do a walkthrough of Mystery at the Stargazer's Manor, an Escape the Room board game created by Nicholas Cravotta and Rebecca Bleau. 

SPOILERS ABOUND! Do not listen to this podcast if you haven't played the game!

Thanks to Christine of Looking Glass Adventures for providing us with a copy to play with (since I couldn't find it anywhere to purchase on short notice!)

If you wish to just hear the review, it starts at 43:13, but it still may contain spoilers.

Music: Mozart's “Eine kleine Nachtmusik”, recorded by The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

Puzzle Design: Aha vs Process

In this Episode, Manpans and Errol talk about the difference between Aha and Process puzzles. We also talk about puzzle difficulty and discuss Manpans time at ConBravo where she took a newbie crew to experience The Crux in Hamilton.

Special thanks goes to Lyndsie Scoggin, Tammy Mcleod, and Errol's daughter, Zoe Elumir. They sang the extra vocal parts in the parody song "I've Made a Plan for this Room"

“Let’s get down to business
To complete this one.
Spread our talents broader. We won’t be, outdone!
You’ll be glad we’ve come our minds are set
And you can bet, we’ll make it through!
Know that I’ve, made a plan, for this room.

Track our time and progress
Where’s the light? It’s dim!
Gather in the center
We’ll be sure to win
We will find this trail, we won’t be caught!
And we have to get the clues
Because I’ve, made a plan, for this room.

I’m never going to solve this test
Say goodbye to light I can’t see!
Boy there’s a lot of books where to begin?
It’s so dark I’m scared to death
Hope that I can find the right key
Now I really wish that I could ask for hints!

(Here’s the Plan)
We must be swift and we will deliver!
(Here’s the Plan)
But don’t use force else you’ll break the clues!
(Here’s the Plan)
Follow that length of electric wire!
We’ll seriously find the exit to this room!”
— "I've Made a Plan for this Room": Parody of Mulan's "I'll Make a Man out of You"
Posted on August 5, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 14 - Transworld's Room Escape Conference

The divas got a chance to interview Rich and Elisabeth who are part of Transworld's Room Escape Conference in Chicago this August!

We were new to Transworld so we had so many questions! We learned about their history, the haunt industry, and the people behind this popular tradeshow!

Guest Info:
Transworld's 2016 Escape Room Show - Chicago Room Escape Conference 
Rich Bianco - Vice President of Transworld Trade Shows
Elisabeth Garson - Seminar Coordinator/ Room Escape Conference

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 12 - The Puzzle Hunt Community with Dan Egnor

An intro to the puzzle hunt community by none other than Dan Egnor, who runs the Puzzle Hunt Calendar, the first Escape Room Directory in North America, and also a member of the design team for many puzzle hunts including BANG 35. 

We talk about puzzle design, running a city wide puzzle hunt, as well as the local scene in the Bay area!

The parody song was suggested by Manpans and covers the intro rules to an escape room in song form!

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Errol Elumir and tagged escape rooms room escape puzzle hunts.

REDivas 10 - Escape Rooms - 1st & 2nd Gen

The divas get together and discuss a few questions they were asked on social media:

  • Thoughts on 1st and 2nd generation of Escape Rooms
  • The future of escape rooms

There were more topics, of course, but the first question was so interesting to talk about! Thanks to all of you who sent something in!

Thanks also goes to Eric Boudreau and Sen Lim for their help and suggestion for the escape room parody song "Solve It, Maybe".

By all means, if you have any comments or questions for us to talk about, leave them here or on our secret slack chat. :D

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 07 - Interview with Escapers 4G

We interview Toronto bloggers Escapers 4G!

In this episode we talk about the the composition of an Enthusiast Escape Team, creating spreadsheets of team member skills, and awkward moments. 

The parody was a suggestion from E4G, and is the first duet on this podcast sung with Si Mui.

SPOILER ALERT: We talk about a room which is no longer in operation, in particular Lock Quest. If you do not wish to hear about this room which no longer exists, you can skip this podcast. 

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 06 - We Review The Divas

Ok, folks! The divas talk about how they've been really stupid in the room.

And Ruby does a rant. It was glorious. There was a bit of racism too. Not from Ruby though.

And Errol is still doing parodies. He doesn't know how long he can keep that up.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Room Escape Review Reviewer - Doesn't get more meta! It's awesome! They review Escape Room Reviews!

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 05 - On Escape Room Reviewing

Recorded May 23, 2015, the Divas talk about their experiences and opinions about reviewing escape rooms. They are outside enjoying the fresh air and the sounds of birds, planes, and house construction.

Manda also does a rant because Errol feels he's ranting a bit too much as of late.

 

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 04 - Interview with Scott Nicholson

The Divas play Escape Rooms with Scott Nicholson and meet up with him where he teaches at the Brantford Games Network Lab, Wilfrid Laurier University in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

They discuss BreakoutEdu, escape room game design, the future of escape rooms, and really old video game nostalgia. 

Scott is a huge fan of Disney and blacklights, and thus this week's parody. 

Referenced Article: 
Nicholson, S. (2015). Peeking behind the locked door: A survey of escape room facilities. White Paper available at http://scottnicholson.com/pubs/erfacwhite.pdf

About Room Escape Divas

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 02 - Ottawa Escape Trip!

In this special episode, the Divas travel to Ottawa to do nine escape rooms and record their whole trip!

They meet up with new escapers and get their first impressions on escape games.

Join them as they pig out on food and rant about their favourite hobby.

The Guests:
Ekko Elumir
Joanna Shepherd
Elizabeth Shepherd
Hannah Schafer
Timothy Blackmore
Mark Priddle

About Room Escape Divas

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Errol Elumir.

REDivas 01 - An Intro

In our first episode we introduce ourselves and stay...mostly on track.

Topics (when we manage to stay on topic) include ourselves, the evolution of the escape room in Toronto (where we are from!), our own project Canadian Caper, and our transition from eager newbie to overly-critical diva.

Join us and comment about topics that you would like to discuss!

About Room Escape Divas

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Errol Elumir.