Tan Yifan cicitan2011@gmail.com YOU are locked in a windowless room with your companions. You might find yourself in a lab with dim lights, a storage area filled with lockers, or the bloody barbershop of “Sweeney Todd.” You might have been blindfolded, handcuffed or terrified by items on the walls or next to your feet. You could be placed in any scenario — but it wouldn’t be a dream. If you have ever experienced real-life takagism games, more commonly known as real-room escaping games, then you get the idea. Adapted from computer games, real-life takagism is gaining popularity in major cities in China, especially among the young and adventurous. Since Shenzhen’s first club, De-Max, opened to the public last August, about seven clubs have been set up in Shenzhen, creating authentic experiences for thrill-seeking gamers. “Real-room escaping games are interactive games not only between gamers but also involving the developers,” said a De-Max operator and designer surnamed Sun. “It is a competition that involves people inside the room and people outside of it, who sit in front of surveillance cameras and monitor the whole process. We create the puzzles and set up traps surrounding four themes, each containing several solutions at different levels of difficulty. We may upgrade the puzzles if gamers find them not challenging enough.” Sun and his partners create scenarios that allow gamers to discover clues, decipher codes and unlock doors within 60 minutes in impenetrable rooms. To keep gamers interested and his ideas fresh, Sun said he has to read piles of detective fiction and watch a lot of sci-fi movies. “My inspirations come from books, video games and daily life. Creative ideas are crucial to us,” he stressed. “Coming up with a new idea gives me the greatest joy.” Different from mouse-to-screen takagism, real-life takagism requires good teamwork. According to Sun, it’s ideal to form a group of six to eight people because it’s almost impossible to pass the levels alone, because “moving some particular gear requires the strength of more than one person.” On the other hand, he said, more than eight people can make it uncomfortable for gamers to move flexibly in tight spaces. Knowledge of various kinds of puzzles including Sudoku, sequences and crosswords will help gamers detect clues more easily. Before entering a room, participants are usually asked to hand over their gadgets, such as cell phones, iPads and cameras. No pens or paper are allowed, let alone handbags or briefcases. Females are advised not to wear high heels, long dresses or miniskirts, because under certain circumstance participants have to climb obstacles, cross infrared rays or leap over traps. Before entering rooms in the De-Max club, gamers will be given torches because the rooms are dimly lit or completely dark. “It is highly recommended to choose a leader of your team before you step in,” said an experienced gamer surnamed Li, who recently went to De-Max with friends to take on a difficult theme. “A leader is crucial, whose job is to pacify his teammates, assign tasks, lead discussions and make final decisions. “To act efficiently and save time, players need to calm down and have faith in themselves and their teammates,” Li added. “Communication is the key. Persistence is also important.” Solving certain puzzles and opening particular locks requires time and patience, Li pointed out, so persistence can play a decisive role in the process of decoding. “Sometimes, you need to have more than common sense,” said a student surnamed Wang from Shenzhen Second Senior High School. “We have come across quizzes closely related to our chemistry class, for example. We have to think about chemical equations — that’s crazy!” A bit of knowledge in many different areas is helpful, and thinking logically also is necessary. Gamers should keep in mind that not all the clues are relevant. Selecting a wrong clue might lead to complete failure. To reduce the risks of falling into traps, every team is entitled to two chances to call staff members and ask them to eliminate distractions and offer a hint. But even with brainstorms and the help of staff, most challengers fail to unlock the final door to freedom and brightness. Sun and his co-workers said only one in five teams find their way out within the 60-minute period. Most of them have to follow a grinning staff member out, pleading for a few more minutes. “We usually offer 20 percent discounts for those who want to take the challenge twice,” Sun said. It is recommended to make a reservation before arriving. Because De-Max will upgrade quizzes twice a week and themes once a quarter — other clubs could have changing challenges, too — it is important to know their schedule before booking a ticket through a third party. Expats will find few barriers to playing, as the clues often take the form of sudoku or other puzzles. Game clubs De-Max Add: Room E, 25/F, Block A, Xiandaizhichuang Building, 1058 Huaqiang Road North, Futian District (福田区华强北路1058号现代之窗A座25楼E室) Tel: 8860-0806 Tickets: 60 yuan per person (Monday to Friday); 88 yuan per person (Saturday and Sunday) Metro: Shekou Line, Huangqiang North Station, Exit B 2ESC Add: Room 23B, Block B, Haiwang Building, 2221 Nanhai Boulevard, Nanshan District (南山区南海大道2221号海王大厦B座23B) Tel: 2640-8850 Tickets: 78 yuan per person If you follow their Sina Weibo or WeChat account, you can enjoy a cheaper price: 45 yuan per person (Monday to Friday), 60 yuan per person (Saturday and Sunday). Buses: 19, 245, 133, K113 (Haiya Department Store Stop) Mr. X Add: 2/F, Haiwaizhuangshi Building, Huafu Road, Futian District (福田区华富路海外装饰大厦2楼) Tel: 8263-6378 Tickets: 100 yuan per person (Monday to Friday); 120 yuan per person (Saturday and Sunday) Metro: Shekou Line, Huangqiang North Station, Exit A MIX Add: Room 8-9, 23/F, Block E, Dongmeng Department Store Square, Shennan Boulevard East 3020, Luohu District (罗湖区深南东路3020号东门百货广场东座23楼8-9号) Tel: 2230-5840 Tickets: 78 yuan per person Metro: Luobao Line, Laojie Station, Exit C X-Zero Add: 3/F, Jintai Building 1, Shigu Road, Xili, Nanshan District (南山区西丽石鼓路金泰楼1号楼3楼) Tel: 8616-6696 Tickets: 60 yuan per person (Monday to Friday); 80 yuan per person (Saturday and Sunday) Metro: Huanzhong Line, Xili Station, Exit F (Discounted tickets can be booked online through group-buying at www.dianping.com and www.nuomi.com.) | 