As you should all know by now, an
escape room game can never be carried out effectively unless there is a group of participants. Since an escape game usually consists of a minimum of six to eight players, it is extremely likely that you will chance upon a variety of personalities. As such, if you are planning to take part in an escape game for the first time, it would be better to prepare yourself by getting to know the most common types of players.
1. The serious individual
As its name suggests, this person is all business and takes the game seriously. They rely on their analytical thinking skills and natural competitiveness to win the game. You will find that most of the time, these people prefer to solve puzzles by themselves and avoid chatting with others.
While this “every man for himself” mindset can annoy other players, it is important to appreciate their determination and tenacity. This type of player can get easily frustrated if they feel they are not making progress or are unsure how to proceed. Essentially, their over-independence and confidence can be their downfall.
Due to their leadership abilities, this person is usually self-elected or chosen by the group to lead the team in various ways, from giving instructions to figuring out the next course of action.
2. Joker
The second most common type of player, who we describe as the joker, tends to be the most fun to work with. This is because they tend to make jokes and help to lighten the tension in the room. Even though the jokers play a crucial role in the team by making the game more entertaining, they can also tend to be a nuisance, especially when they do not consider things thoughtfully and crack jokes at the wrong time. In addition, they may intervene in group discussions, hurting the team’s chances of winning.
Nonetheless, their light-hearted personality and free-spiritedness certainly will crack a smile on others’ faces, which at the end of the day, is what is most important. Do keep in mind that an escape room is just a game and should not be taken too seriously to the point that the group’s dynamic may potentially be disrupted. It is one of the best
indoor team building activities, after all.
3. Happy-go-lucky
Next, we have the happy-go-lucky player, who is the complete opposite of the business-like player. While there is definitely nothing wrong with being chillaxed and carefree, this type of player may not contribute much to the team’s effort and may not even feel like they belong. They can also get discouraged easily and are more interested in chatting with others instead of figuring out how to solve puzzles and clues alongside the team.
Let’s say you have a teammate who displays similar characteristics. It would help if you attempted to motivate them by talking it out and helping them along the way. Remember that everyone has their way of coming up with a solution, so try not to judge their behaviours and work with them to make the whole team succeed. Doing so can lead to a more positive escape room experience for everyone.
4. Caller
Last but not least, you can also find the caller, who relies on hints all the time. Don’t be misunderstood. There is nothing wrong with calling for hints every now and then but relying on them heavily without even attempting to solve the problems can take out the fun of the escape room experience.
This type of player does provide an advantage, though, and that is when the rest of the team is too reluctant to ask for help. In the scenario that the team is stuck on a puzzle or clue, this player is typically the first one to raise for help and get the team through.
Conclusion
Truth be told, the type of players you will encounter in an escape room game ultimately depends on your luck. However, it is safe to say that most teams will have all or any of these four personalities. After reading this article, which type of player would you label yourself as?
At The Escape Artist, you can find all sorts of fun yet challenging escape rooms suitable for private parties. If you are planning to host an escape game for a
corporate outdoor team building event, you can engage with us to create a personalised escape room experience fit for larger groups of participants.
