REA Hivemind, Author at Room Escape Artist

Enibot – The Vaccine Chase [Hivemind Review]

14 April 202115 April 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind

The Vaccine Chase is an online game played through a chatbot created by Enibot, based in Israel.

In-game animation of people in a medical lab.

Format

Style of Play:

Online native experience (can NOT be played IRL)
Play on demand
Point-and-click

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection

Recommended Team Size: 1-2

Play Time: ~30 minutes

Price: $20 per ticket (per game on a single computer with up to 6 players)

Booking: purchase and play at your leisure

Description

Playing through a chatbot, we had to solve puzzles to usher a research scientist from their lab to the CDC to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine formula.

Note that although the subject matter is sensitive to many people at this time – the game pulls in real-time COVID-19 data and puzzle answers are dynamic – it also treats the material respectfully.

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66 Minuten – Showdown [Hivemind Review]

12 April 202123 April 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind

Showdown is an avatar-led, livestreamed adaptation of an in-person game, created by 66 Minuten in Neuwied, Germany.

Format

Style of Play:

Adaptation of an in-person game (can be played IRL)
Avatar controlled by the players
Web-based inventory system
Immersive theater elements

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection, mobile device

At one point, you need to call a German phone number.

Recommended Team Size: 3-4

Play Time: about 90 minutes

Price: 120€ per team of 3, plus 15€ for each additional connection

Booking: book online for a specific time slot

Description

This was an avatar-led adaption of a real-life escape room, played in Zoom. The differentiator in Showdown was its high level of production and clever combination of video content with immersive theater elements.

You are agents helping a member of the “Anti Schlabbeck Force.”

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Improbable Escapes – Neverland: Heist on the High Seas [Hivemind Review]

9 April 202115 April 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind, Improbable Escapes

Neverland: Heist on the High Seas is a livestreamed adaptation of an in-person escape room, by Improbable Escapes in Kingston, ON.

Format

Style of Play:

Adaptation of an in-person game (can be played IRL)
Avatar controlled by the players
Web-based inventory system

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection

Recommended Team Size: 3-4

Play Time: 60 minutes

Price: $28.25 CAD per player

Booking: book online for a specific time slot

Description

This an avatar-led escape game with a kid-friendly theme and puzzles.

There is an inventory website where you see photos of the room and puzzles. Occasionally you type a password into the website to reveal more photos. Other than that, the livestream is through Zoom, as usual.

In-game: Interior of a pirate ship. A large chest sits in the middle.

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Leenook – L’Équation [Hivemind Review]

8 April 20219 April 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind

L’Équation is a point-and-click adaptation of an in-person game. The original game was created by Sauve Qui Peut, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada. It was translated into a digital format by Leenook.

Leenook interface with built-in video chat and 360 photo of an office.

Format

Style of Play:

Adaptation of an in-person game (can be played IRL)
Point-and-click

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection

This interface was very particular about browser window aspect ratio. We recommend a large screen, if possible.

Recommended Team Size: 2-4

Play Time: 60 minutes

Price: $23 CAD per player

Booking: book online for a specific time

Description

This was a faithful point-and-click adaptation of the real-life escape room L’Équation at Sauve Qui Peut. We navigated 360-degree photos of the gamespace. When we clicked on things in the environment either a photo, video, or locking mechanism displayed.

There was a live host to provide support. Every player had their own version of the game, so every person needed to open every lock in order to progress together. There were built-in pause screens that told faster players to wait for their teammates.

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Claustrophobia – Dream Factory [Hivemind Review]

7 April 20217 April 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Claustrophobia, Hivemind

Dream Factory is an online party game created by Claustrophobia in Moscow, Russia.

Dream Factory Communication Game title card, a star scape with a projector.

Format

Style of Play:

Online native experience (can NOT be played IRL)
Party game

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection

Recommended Team Size: 30 or so, pretty flexible

Play Time: 2 hours

Price: $675 per session for about 30-50 people

Booking: contact Claustrophobia to book a specific time slot

Description

This is an online party game played in Zoom. It feels like Cards Against Humanity and What do you Meme with a points structure.

Players are split into different teams, each representing a different production studio in Hollywood. Each round they use their accumulated resources to create the next blockbuster film. Teams meet in Zoom breakout rooms, determine what film to make, and the regroup to each pitch their new movie. A winning team is determined after each round, and after about 5 rounds of play, an overall winner is crowned.

Genre popularity chart with an assortment of genres and their corresponding popularity levels.

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