By Liz Knueven
Every month, Atlas Networks highlights a valued storefront or service that’s a part of our growing network of customers. We believe in supporting local businesses throughout Seattle and the surrounding areas, and sharing information about these wonderful local gems with our readers! If you’re an Atlas customer and would like to be featured in an upcoming newsletter, please reach out to us at support@gigabit.io
Once the door to your escape room closes, you’re in for something special at Hourglass Escapes.
From the detailed environments to the stumping puzzles, an hour in one of the themed escape rooms at Hourglass Escapes is a unique experience. Put the world outside away and enjoy an adventure into a world of props, puzzles, music and more created entirely by Seth Wolfson and his creative team.
Wolfson, Hourglass Escapes’ creative director, has been doing special effects since the 1980s. He has carried over expertise from designing for films and theme parks to crafting the experiences and scenes you’ll find in the escape rooms.
“We design it all here, the puzzles and the stories,” says Wolfson. “I have a pretty good team here. 99 percent of the props we’ll make–I do the sculpting,” he adds. Their rooms and puzzles have a unique style, which Wolfson describes as a little campy, and notes the influence of comic book art and covers. These elements come together to make creations like their “Rise of the Mad Pharaoh” and “Tales of the Ghostly Galleon” games, which are available now at their location between Belltown and Lower Queen Anne.
Playing an escape room game at Hourglass is more than just an experience–it’s about collaboration and adventure. Wolfson mentions that kids are actually some of the best players, saying “they don’t overthink it or jump to conclusions. They’re creative, but not afraid to ask for help.” It’s equally fun for families as it is for corporate parties because it’s all about working together to beat the clock and achieve a common goal.
Their newest escape room, opening this summer, features props and puzzles designed around ‘80s cult horror film “Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn™”. Pre-sale tickets will be available May 3- 5, 2019 at Crypticon Seattle, and the game will feature designs by the Art Director from “The Blair Witch Project,” and Henrietta will be voiced by Andrea Hays from “Twin Peaks.”
Hourglass Escapes has games playing seven days a week at their location, with portable versions available to book. The Hourglass Escapes team has crafted unique experiences in all their games; put your own creativity to the test to escape before time runs out.
