Escape rooms are known by many names: riddle rooms, puzzle rooms, escape games, and so on. Some of these phrases are more common than others, but they all refer to the same thing: rooms filled with puzzles and other challenges. Your team has to solve everything within the set time limit in order to win.
At The Escape Effect, we refer to our games as “escape rooms” but we’ve heard a few other terms from our guests. No matter what you call them, these games are a lot of fun. Let’s explore the different phrases used to refer to escape rooms.
Where did names like “riddle room” come from?
It’s hard to say for certain where some of the different names originated, but we can make pretty reasonable guesses. When considering the history of escape rooms, the phrase “escape room” itself likely came from the original Flash games. At the height of Flash game popularity, many browser games were titled “Escape The [adjective] Room.” From there, the genre became known as “escape-the-room games.” By extension, the real-life counterparts became known to some as “real escape rooms.”
“Escape game” is another very common term that probably ties back to the Flash games. Those games are said to be the inspiration for Real Escape Game, the first real-life escape room. Whether the term became popular because of the company, or the company took its name from the phrase’s popularity, it’s hard to say.
Phrases like “room escape” and “exit game” refer to the ultimate goal of the game (leaving the room). Others, like “puzzle room” and “riddle room,” describe the typical contents of the game. The games often feature different types of puzzles and riddles that players need to solve. It’s likely that these terms were initially used by people who weren’t familiar with the online games or early companies. People who didn’t know about escape-the-room games might have made up these terms to describe the experiences they had, leading to “riddle room” and similar descriptions spreading further.
Which names are more common than others?
Despite the alliterative appeal of “riddle room” and the snappiness of “room escape,” the phrases “escape room” and “escape game” are significantly more common. In fact, escape rooms have become mainstream enough that a movie was based on them, under the name “escape room” rather than the alternatives.
Why did some take off while others remained more obscure? It would be reasonable to assume that “riddle room” and “puzzle room” are less common because of how specific they are. Not all escape rooms feature riddles, and there’s more to an escape room than just puzzles (like set design and story).
Then again, you could argue any phrase with “escape” in the name focuses too much on the goal. Not all escape rooms are strictly about escaping a room, after all. Goals are created to suit the story and setting. Some games at The Escape Effect will have you solving a crime and becoming immortal.
It’s hard to pin down why one name became popular when others didn’t, but it is interesting to see how one version became so widely known. Since different trends come and go, there might be a point in time where “riddle room” becomes more popular than “escape room,” or a completely different phrase might take over.
So what should we call them?
As a general rule, you can use any name you like for these games as long as everybody knows what you’re talking about. Since “Escape room” is the name that caught on, you’ll have an easier time talking about them if you stick to that term. “Escape game” is the runner-up, and the two are used interchangeably by many.
If the people around you use a different name for them, that’s totally fine! Just make sure you’re all on the same page before you play the game. After all, communication is one of the most important skills you can have.
Come play at The Escape Effect
Choose from our four amazing escape rooms! If you’re ready to play, call (855) 426-3372 or book online today.