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In the competitive world of escape rooms, choosing the right theme is crucial for attracting players and driving bookings. At Morty, we've been tracking player interests to learn which themes are currently resonating the most. Based on user views, our insights provide a valuable perspective on what draws people to these immersive experiences.
For escape room owners, understanding these trends can inform decisions on new room designs or updates to existing ones. By aligning your offerings with popular and emerging themes, you can attract more players and ensure your business's continued success. Let's explore the themes that have captured the most attention and see how trends are shifting in this constantly changing industry.
Top Themes by Popularity
Our data reveals that some themes consistently attract more views, hinting at higher player interest and, potentially, more bookings. Here’s a look at the most viewed themes over the last 12 months:
- Comedy: Light-hearted and humorous scenarios like Blackout and What The F#@! Happened Last Night lead the pack, indicating a strong demand for entertaining and fun experiences.
- Cartoon: Whimsical and creative setups such as Trouble in the Toy Shop draw significant attention, appealing to families and fans of animated fun.
- Animals: Adventures centered around animal themes, like the Kingdom Of Cat-tastrophy, maintain solid interest and high ratings for their appeal to all age ranges.
- Cyber (Dystopia): Immersive sci-fi stories like Annihilation are consistently rated highly, showing that catering to tech enthusiasts and fans can pay off.
- Psychological Horror: Thrilling and suspenseful experiences such as The Asylum captivate those seeking a good scare.
Trending Upwards for Newcomers
Capturing the interest of first-time escape room players is all about delivering themes that are both accessible and memorable. These popular themes are currently on the rise with newcomers, offering a mix of intrigue, humor, and immersive storytelling:
- Comedy: Light-hearted and humorous scenarios like Blackout and What The F#@! Happened Last Night lead the pack, indicating a strong demand for entertaining and fun experiences.
- Medieval: Adventure-seekers can experience the dark allure of medieval times with quests and trials in rooms like Lancelot’s Legacy and The Executioner, bringing epic tales of knights and feuds to life.
- Office: For fans of corporate satire or eerie conspiracies, The Paper Company and The Anomaly turn the ordinary office space into a thrilling puzzle playground.
- Candy: Sweet treats meet tricky puzzles in The Chocolate Factory and The Candy Shop, inviting players to indulge in whimsical, sugar-filled adventures.
- Time Travel: Timeliner: Train Through Time transports players across eras, combining puzzles with a journey through time, making it a favorite for history buffs and sci-fi fans alike.
Trending Upwards for Seasoned Players
Experienced players often look for more challenging, layered themes that push their puzzle-solving skills and deliver unique, immersive experiences. These themes resonate with seasoned escape room enthusiasts who seek out inventive twists and complex storylines that keep them engaged and returning for more.
- Theatrical: Dramatic themes like Le Feu are gaining traction, suggesting a growing appetite for story-driven, immersive experiences.
- Vintage: Nostalgic themes like the 70s/80s-themed Death in the Disco are becoming increasingly popular.
- Pirates: Classic adventure themes like Pirates of Tortuga are seeing renewed interest due to their universal appeal and the promise of treasure-hunting excitement.
- Monsters: Engaging with the unknown, themes like Monster Club Misadventures continue to intrigue players.
Trending Downwards: A Time to Innovate
On the flip side, some themes are seeing a decline in views, indicating a potential shift in player preferences:
- Music: Once popular for its backstage thrills, the appeal of music-themed rooms like Swan Song and Backstage Pass is waning, as players look for more intricate stories and immersive experiences.
- Gothic: The traditional gothic horror style, seen in rooms like LiCastro’s Lair, may feel overdone unless mixed with other genres or given a fresh angle that keeps up with player expectations.
- Captive: The captive or abduction theme, exemplified by Killer Collection, is seeing less traction, as players shift toward narratives that focus on unique storytelling and creative, non-traditional puzzles.
- Victorian: While rich in ambiance, Victorian themes like The Poe Adventure may benefit from new narrative twists to reinvigorate interest among players seeking modernized takes on classic themes.
Learnings for Escape Room Owners & Operators
Understanding these trends is crucial for escape room owners who want to attract and retain players. As interest in specific themes rises and falls, adapting your offerings can help you stay relevant and competitive. Whether you're considering adding new rooms or updating existing ones, aligning with current interests can drive views and bookings.
At Morty, we encourage business owners to leverage these insights and consider experimenting with themes that are trending upwards. Additionally, focusing on execution quality remains critical, as even popular themes can falter if not delivered well.
Final Thoughts
The escape room industry is ever-evolving, and staying ahead of the curve can be challenging. Monitoring player interests (and adjusting your themes accordingly) can enhance your appeal and profitability. For those interested in deeper insights or additional data, including booking trends and detailed reviews, please contact the Morty team at [email protected].
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