For many people, escape rooms are a fun way to spend an evening with friends, a unique birthday party idea, or a corporate team-building exercise. But for Cory Vertentes, a software developer and self-proclaimed escape room enthusiast, they are a passion that has shaped not only his leisure time but also his professional life. With over 60 rooms under his belt across multiple countries, Cory’s journey into the world of immersive puzzles offers a fascinating look at the industry from a player’s perspective.

The Accidental Enthusiast

Cory’s first attempt at the world of escape rooms wasn’t exactly a roaring success. A friend’s birthday party with a group of ten, the maximum for the room, led to a “too many cooks in the kitchen” scenario. While the puzzles were intriguing, the crowded environment made it difficult for everyone to participate fully. It was a decent experience, but nothing that sparked a lasting interest.

Everything changed when a friend from Ireland came to visit. His friend and his wife were avid escape room players and suggested they check out a few local spots in the Rhode Island area. This time, with a smaller group, the experience was completely different. The room was challenging, but the immersion was what truly captivated him.

The game master, instead of giving a standard briefing, cleverly wove the introduction into the narrative. He asked for their help with a strange noise coming from an upstairs closet, leading them directly into the a stunningly recreated underground cave. This seamless transition from the real world to the game world was a “Narnia experience” that instantly hooked Cory. The puzzles were clever, requiring them to listen to the sounds of water droplets to decipher a knocking pattern on a door. It was this second, more thoughtfully designed experience that ignited his passion. That week alone, they went on to play four or five more rooms, and a hobby was born.

A Developer’s Mindset

As a software developer, Cory brings a unique, analytical perspective to his escape room adventures. He can’t help but notice the underlying mechanics, from sensors to the logic behind the puzzles. Though this technical mindset can be both a blessing and a curse. While it allows him to appreciate the cleverness of a well-designed room, it can also sometimes pull him out of the immersive experience.

He’s learned to balance his analytical nature with the more creative, story-driven aspects of the games. He recognizes that while high-tech rooms with impressive effects are exciting, they can also be prone to technical glitches that disrupt the flow of the game. Some of his most memorable experiences have been in low-tech rooms that rely on clever puzzle design and a strong narrative rather than flashy technology. Ultimately, he believes both high-tech and low-tech rooms have their place and can be equally enjoyable.

Interestingly, the problem-solving skills he’s honed in escape rooms have also translated back into his professional life. The collaborative and creative thinking required to solve a complex puzzle is directly applicable to his work as a software engineer. This crossover is a key reason why many companies use escape rooms for team-building exercises.

The Art of the Puzzle and the Importance of a Good Team

Having played so many rooms, Cory has developed a keen sense of what makes a great puzzle. For him, the best puzzles are those that can be solved with the information provided within the room, without requiring outside knowledge. He also appreciates multi-layered puzzles that lead players on a journey of discovery, where each solved piece contributes to a larger, more complex solution.

Repetition is inevitable in an industry with so many games, but Cory believes the best rooms find innovative ways to put a fresh spin on common puzzle types. He’s seen countless variations of using a rope to measure distances or deciphering codes, but the truly memorable rooms are the ones that integrate these familiar elements into the narrative in a unique and engaging way.

Just as important as the puzzles themselves is the team you play with. Cory and his regular group have developed a system of roles that they naturally fall into. One friend is the designated “keeper of the knowledge,” tracking all the clues and information they gather. Another is the math whiz, while Cory often takes the lead on the more complex, problem-solving puzzles. This division of labor allows them to work efficiently and collaboratively.

Cory’s Passion on Display

For Cory, being an escape room enthusiast is more than just a hobby; it’s a part of his identity that he’s proud to share, even in a professional context. He includes “Escape Room Enthusiast” on his LinkedIn profile, a decision that has sparked numerous conversations in interviews. He finds it’s a great way to showcase his problem-solving skills, his ability to work in a team, and his passion for creative thinking. It also helps to humanize him, showing that he has interests and a personality beyond his professional qualifications.

An International Perspective

Cory has traveled around the world and lucky for him, his love for escape rooms always fits in his carry-on. In his travels, he’s noticed some interesting differences in how the games are designed and played internationally. In South Korea, he encountered a unique “power-up” system where players could choose a special ability before entering the room, such as getting a preview of a key puzzle or bringing in a mini flashlight. Some Korean rooms also provided players with a phone to receive hints for specific numbered puzzles, a feature he found interesting but ultimately preferred the challenge of figuring things out without direct guidance.

In Portugal, he found that many rooms were bilingual, with all the clues and puzzles available in both Portuguese and English, making them accessible to a wider audience. These international experiences have given him a broader appreciation for the creativity and ingenuity of the global escape room community.

Community as a Service

One of the things Cory values most about the escape room world is the sense of community. He’s found that many escape room owners are enthusiasts themselves and are passionate about creating the best possible experience for their players. He fondly remembers a family-owned establishment in Rhode Island called Ocean State Escape, where the owner took the time to chat with them after their game, sharing insights into the design process and even giving them a behind-the-scenes look at how the room operated. This personal touch and willingness to engage with players is what sets the best escape rooms apart.

Replayability and Ongoing Narratives

Looking ahead, Cory sees a huge opportunity for growth in the industry, particularly in the area of replayability. He envisions rooms that can be reconfigured or have alternate storylines, allowing players to have a different experience each time they play. He also believes there’s a lot of potential for more ongoing narratives, where a series of rooms tell a larger, interconnected story. This would give players a reason to keep coming back to a particular venue, eager to see what happens next in the adventure.

Advice for First-Timers

For those who have never tried an escape room before, Cory offers some simple advice:

• Start with a small group. This will ensure everyone has a chance to participate and contribute.
• Choose a room with a lower difficulty level. You don’t want to get discouraged on your first try.
• Have an open mind and embrace the immersion. The more you allow yourself to get into the story, the more fun you’ll have.
• Don’t be afraid to over-communicate and share your ideas. Every thought, no matter how silly it seems, could be the key to solving a puzzle.

Cory’s journey from a casual player to a dedicated enthusiast is a testament to the power of a well-crafted escape room. His story reminds us that these games are more than just puzzles; they are immersive experiences that challenge our minds, foster teamwork, and create lasting memories. So, the next time you’re looking for an adventure, consider stepping into an escape room. You might just find yourself hooked.