A group of people came together in a scene that looked like a real-life version of the board game Clue. But instead of trying to figure out if it was Mrs. Peacock in the dining room with the candlestick, the team was solving riddles, piecing puzzles together and finding elusive clues to recover the great Pink Argyle Diamond that was stolen in a heist by the wily millionaire, Mr. Tate.
Mr. Tate and the Pink Argyle Diamond are only fictional, but the hunt to solve the mysteries to recover the stolen diamond was real. The adventure happens at a special place in Post Falls, Idaho called 59:Escape Adventures, an escape room business which runs off guests’ ability to piece together clues, solve the mystery and escape within 59 minutes, (though they are never locked in the room.)
One of the owners and operators of 59:Escape Adventures, Alicia Zaas, acted as the Game Master, the person who interacts with the team through a computer system while they are playing.
Unfortunately, the time ran out just as the team discovered the diamond. But that is not unusual, Zaas said, since escape games only have about a 30 percent success rate nationwide. But she reassured the group that though they ran out of time, they made small victories by solving difficult clues along the way as they worked together as a team.
NIC students and escapees, Brad and David Ballinger, said they enjoyed their first 59: Escape Adventure experience.
“It was really engaging and fun,” said David Ballinger, 21, computer science major. “I had a good time working with everyone.”
His twin, Brad Ballinger, 21, accounting major, agreed:
“I was pleasantly surprised at how fun it actually was and really enjoyed how there were puzzles for basically everybody,” he said.
Zaas, an NIC graduate, said she and her husband, Eric Zaas, first became interested in escape games when their family went to one.
“We were amazed at how we were all able to connect with each other again and we wanted to bring that same fun experience to others,” she said.
The wish to bring that experience to others evolved into them creating 59:Escape Adventures in Post Falls, Idaho.
“After looking at the unique skill set that Eric and I have, we agreed we could contribute so much to this kind of business. We really thought we could do it well. Eric has a special set of engineering and programming skills that less than 1 percent of the U.S. population has,” Zaas said, “That allows him to create the Gen-2 props and computer systems we need.”
There are currently two escape rooms and two challenges at 59:Escape, with one other in the works. The rooms are at a Gen-2 level, which Zaas said means that the guests solve puzzles and find clues with the latest interactive technology and automation in the industry.
“It takes their immersive game experience to the next level,” she said.
The design and challenge of the Gen-2 adventure surprised Brad Ballinger, since he said he expected it to get stagnant after the first 20 minutes in the room.
“But the tension kept rising,” he said. “It seemed to invite challenge in progressing ways without making me feel overwhelmed.”
Zaas said she and her husband love creating awesome and challenging games for their guests, and watching the players’ faces fill with surprise during their experience.
“We end up cheering for them because their excitement flows over to our side,” she said. “You can’t help but to celebrate with them. Our games are not scary, but they are pretty intense. People really get into their game and it’s hard not to be excited for them.”
But escape rooms are not just all fun and games. They also play an important role in building teamwork. During the time it takes to escape, the players start to bond, and whatever may have separated them starts to fade away as they work together.
“People’s gifts, talents and skills come out to benefit the whole team,” Zaas said. “Everyone has the same goal and drive, so that makes them all equal on the playing field. And because they have this experience in a game play environment, they forget the outside world and the focus is 100 percent on each other.”
The Ballingers experienced this teamwork phenomenon during their 59 minutes working as a team with three other people.
“Other than being forced to work with my twin, (a challenge in its own right,) it demanded communication and multiple perspectives to solve some of the puzzles,” David Ballinger said.
Because of the Zaas family, North Idaho now has the privilege to enjoy a Gen-2 escape room adventure. It is the largest escape room in the Inland Northwest and can have team sizes from two to 15 people.
“They’re truly a unique experience,” she said.
Brad and David Ballinger both agreed that they would like to go back for some more challenges. But Brad Ballinger said he wants to be more prepared for the next time.
“I think I would want to do some kind of puzzles or riddles beforehand to warm my brain up,” he said.
It costs $25 to try to solve one of the two challenges offered at 59:Escape Adventures. And they offer a range of discounts, including a $6 off discount for NIC students with proof of student I.D.
For more information, visit www.59escape.com.