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Escape Room FAQ
What is an Escape Room?
Ryptic Room Escape is a real life, puzzle solving game. You and your team will actually be “locked” in a room! We love hosting team-building activities, birthday parties, date night, family night, or just another Friday night out!
You will have one hour to find clues, solve puzzles and discover the codes, passwords and keys that allow you to unlock the door and escape!How do I book a game if there are "teams" listed?
For “Escape The Asylum” and “Escape The Mad Hatter” games, the room is split into four rooms and the game will take you across all four rooms. Each room is occupied by one team at a time (team A, B, C, or D) with a max capacity of 6 people (we are able to increase this max capacity a little if all the tickets are purchased under one booking). Teams do not interact with each other as they occupy a different room at any given time, and they swap rooms over the course of the game. To make a booking, select a team and the number of tickets you would like to purchase in that team. Please note that if you purchase less than 6 tickets, there is a possibility that the remaining tickets will be purchased by other players who will join your team.
Can we have a private game? I want to play with just my friends/coworkers.
To have a private game experience you will need to purchase all tickets available for that game. There are two ways to do this: You can either purchase all the tickets available in the team that you want to play in with your friends, this ensures that nobody else can join your team. Or to book the whole escape room, you can purchase all tickets available across all four teams, this blocks off the entire room just for you. If you’re looking to reserve the whole escape room you can book online, or contact us and we'll take care of it for you.
Will I actually be locked in! What if I need to use the bathroom?
All our games have emergency exits – you will never truly be locked in (that would be dangerous!). However, if you exit the room before time is up, you will not be allowed back in- this would be disruptive to your fellow teammates. Please use the bathroom before starting your game.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time and please do not be late! In order to avoid ruining the experience for other players, we will not allow late entrants. Your game will be cancelled without refund if you are late.
Ryptic Room Escape accepts cancellations and reschedules. Refunds or store credit amounts available are dependent on the notice provided prior to reservation start time:
* 5+ days notice: Full refund – minus the 6% booking fee.
* 3+ days notice: Full store credit including booking fee / free reschedule.
* 24h+ notice: 50% store credit.
* Less than 24 hours notice: No refund or store credit.
Tickets are not person specific, however, so they are transferable to another person. Just forward them your booking confirmation email.
All bookings made with a deposit are 100% payable 5 days prior to start of the game.
This policy is valid for bookings made as of April 2020.Is Ryptic Room Escape physically exerting? Is it wheelchair accessible? Is it scary?
Our games require very little physical exertion. There is no running, climbing, jumping or crawling required. We exercise your brain, not your body! We try our best to make our games fully handicap and wheelchair accessible, but are always open to feedback! (as of now only Escape from the Mad Hatter and Sherlock Inc. are wheelchair accessible) Our games are meant to be silly, not scary.
How hard are your games? Can kids/grandparents play?
Our puzzles are meant to be challenging but solvable for all ages 13 and up. Participants under 18 must have a guardian sign the waiver which will be emailed to you as a part of your email confirmation.
For All games children ages 6 to 13 must have an adult chaperone present in the room to play.
Children under 6 years of age are not allowed in any game, for their own safety.
Children under 13 years of age are not allowed in the Escape the Asylum Game.
Children under 10 years of age are not allowed in the SHERLOCK Inc Game (this game is recommended for ages 14+)Our team is bigger than your player limit, what should we do?
We often have teams split up and play different games at the same time. Try booking one room for each of our games!
Can I book a specific date in advance?
Of course! Just click the “Following Dates” button in the ticket booking widget. You can book up to 6 months in advance.
Do you sell tickets at the door? Can I show up with an extra friend/teammate?
Unfortunately no. Our room limits are based on the size and content limits of the rooms themselves. The only exception is if you’re already having private game (you purchased all the tickets), we will permit you to purchase an additional ticket, with the understanding that it will be a little crowded!
How hard are your games? Can kids/grandparents play?
Our games require very little physical exertion. There is no running, climbing, jumping or crawling required. We exercise your brain, not your body! We try our best to make our games fully handicap and wheelchair accessible, but are always open to feedback! (as of now only Escape from the Mad Hatter and Sherlock Inc. are wheelchair accessible) Our games are meant to be silly, not scary.
Where are your 3 locations?
We have 3 escape room locations:● Escape the Aliens - 205 E 3rd Ave San Mateo, CA● Escape the Mad Hatter - 1931 Old Middlefield Way Unit X, Mountain View, CA● Escape the Asylum - 100 N B St. San Mateo, CA
Virtual Escape Room FAQ
What is a Virtual Escape Room?
Ryptic Live Video Escape Rooms are a new way to play an escape room with your friends from the comfort and safety of your own home. Explore, solve and uncover mysteries with an on-location host virtually. Grab a team of friends and join via Zoom (or alternative upon request) – it’s that easy!
How do we play the Virtual Escape Room?
After you book the game, you’ll get access to a Zoom Video (or alternative upon request) link along with digital puzzles. You will be able to join the video stream ~10 minutes before the scheduled time. We recommend using a laptop for the best experience. You will have 60 minutes to work with your in-game host to solve the puzzles and escape!
How many players per ticket?
Only 1 player per ticket is allowed. Each player should join the virtual game with their own computer for the best experience (even if you’re in the same room).
How many players can play at once?
Our Live Video Escape Rooms are meant for 4 -10 players. All groups are private, so bring as many as you like. We allow a maximum of 12 players.
What do I need to play a Virtual Escape Room?
1. You will want to have 1 laptop per person if possible, even if you’re in the same room, in case you want to split up and work on different things.
2. You may want to use headphones, especially if there’s multiple participants in the same room. Otherwise, consider muting one or more devices to avoid overlapping audio.
3. You will want to have paper and pencil on hand for solving puzzles.
4. We will be using Zoom to video conference for the duration of this game; please download the desktop client for the best experience, here. (Zoom alternative available upon request)I can't use Zoom, can I still play?
Yes! Just check the $0 Zoom Alternative Add-on when booking. You will be sent a link to a secure alternative video conference (Jitsi Meet) 1 day before your game. We've tested the all of the top video conferencing options, and come to these two as our picks.