How to Convince Your Friends to Play an Escape Game

Have you been trying to convince your friends to join you in playing an escape game for a while now and nothing seems to work? Maybe they’re afraid to play or they’d rather stay home and watch movies and eat popcorn. Either way, you just can’t find the right words to get them to agree, can you? Don’t worry - not all hope is lost just yet! We’ve got some tips for you to try on that stubborn friend of yours (or that group of stubborn friends) that will hopefully get them up off the couch and in the Room To Escape doors!

Know who to ask, and in what order. You’re probably thinking, “Why does it matter what order I ask my friends to hang out in?” But trust us, it does! Think of mob mentality. You want to get some people on board before asking those who are the most likely to decline. Having a few people already on board will make these skeptics less likely to turn down the offer. So the next time you want to ask your friends to join you for a game, try following this order:

• The crazy friend: This one should be a no-brainer. The crazy friend will say yes to anything! They are always willing to try new things and take risks. This is at least one person you can count on to be on board!
• The trendy friend: Next, you should ask your most popular or trendy friend. Whether we like it or not, we’ve all got one of these. The one who always has the latest and greatest of everything, and has tried anything and everything. This person is likely to say yes to playing an escape game with you, even if it is just to keep up with the Jones’.
• The quiet friend: Third on the list of people to ask is the quiet friend who tends to keep to himself most of the time. This person isn’t necessarily afraid or a skeptic, but rather is just reserved and timid. If this person sees that other people are playing the game and that the invitation is open to them as well, they are likely to agree to play too.
• The skeptical friend: Last but not least is the dreaded skeptic. This person is going to be the hardest one of all to convince, but it CAN be done! Try your best to assure them that this is a fun experience - not scary or strenuous or anything of the sort. Stress to them that stepping outside of their comfort zone is a healthy thing. And lastly, remind them that all of their other friends have already said yes, so it is bound to be a good time for everybody!

Prepare yourself for how to respond to typical common concerns. Most people who are unsure about playing an escape game typically ask the same questions or have the same concerns. It is important to be aware of these questions and concerns and to properly prepare your responses to them so that you can successfully change your friends’ minds and get them to agree to play a game with you! Here are a few of the most common ones:

• “I don’t really want to be locked inside of a room.” Don’t worry, you can actually leave the room at any time for any reason. You’re not literally locked inside and forced to find your way out. We’re not holding you hostage until you complete your hour. Although we discourage leaving the game, you are certainly able to do so if you want or need to.
• “Is it scary?” No. This is not a haunted house. We do not hire actors to jump out and scare you. This is a brain game - thrilling and challenging, but definitely not scary or intimidating. All of our rooms are designed to be completely family-friendly.
• “What if we’re forced to play with strangers?” So what? Some of our best and most successful teams have been teams made up of strangers! You’d be surprised at how NON-awkward it is. When you are put into a situation like this, there is very little time to feel awkward or out of place. It tends to just feel natural right from the start, and everyone finds their place and their role pretty quickly. So, don’t worry. It’ll all be okay. If by chance you end up having a stranger or two in your room, just embrace it!
• “$29.95 per person? That seems like a lot.” How much would it cost to go to dinner and a movie? Take into consideration an appetizer, entree, drinks, dessert, your movie ticket, snacks and a drink at the theater... Probably just about $30, right? If not more! If you think about it, you’re spending the same amount here as you would on most other night-out activities. The only difference is, at Room To Escape, you’re participating in an immersive, hands-on, engaging activity with your friends and/or family. Every aspect of the game is designed to engage and stimulate your brain and senses, so it is well-worth every single penny! Just ask anyone who's already played!

If these first two tips don’t work, put your pride aside and beg. If you’ve tried everything mentioned above and you still aren’t getting your friends to budge, you might as well get down on your hands and knees and beg at this point. Bribery is always an option as well. Offer to buy them dinner before or after the game. Take them out for ice cream. Offer to buy them a drink after the game. Tell them you’ll drive and they can pick the music in the car. ANYTHING! And if none of this works, you may want to reconsider who your real friends are. Just kidding. Sort of. ;)

​If you’ve ever been in this position before and you’ve been successful at getting your friends to give in to this awesome experience, please let us know what tips and tricks worked for you! As you know, we’re always interested to hear from you!

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