Creating Dynamic Character Interactions for Escape Rooms

Even though escape rooms are often advertised as being more physical and "real life" than their digital videogame counterparts, the scenarios in which most escape rooms are set is actually bizarrely barren and devoid of life. Sure, sometimes that makes sense - you wouldn't necessarily expect to find random people wandering through a crime scene, or to encounter other hostages imprisoned in a serial killer's lair.
But there are plenty of other scenarios in which I think escape rooms could be made more engaging, more dynamic, and deliver a more interesting experience if players were given opportunities to interact with other characters. It is not always possible (nor desirable) to employ human actors in the room itself, so in this video I'll describe three animatronic animated characters that can be used in a variety of ways to provide such in-game interactions. Each one uses an Arduino microprocessor, and a handful of other common electronic parts. They can be fully-automated, or operated remotely by a gamesmaster, where they could also be used as hint-delivery systems.
00:00:00 - 00:04:52 Introduction and Overview
00:04:53 - 00:09:39 Shy Guy
00:09:40 - 00:12:07 Squawkers McGraw
00:12:08 - 00:14:27 Sentient Lifeform
00:14:28 - 00:15:58 Wrapup
For further details about this, or any of my other #escaperoom tutorial videos, please see / playfultech

[@kingpin1905]

This is amazing! I was looking at some new ways to engage with a game master! Loved the explanations and reasoning.

[@PeterboroughescaperoomsUk]

So good. Thank you for sharing.

[@smappdooda]

Have you seen the "Ghost Busts" for live interaction? They are pretty cool. We wanna find a reason to use one eventually.

[@KrazeeKraftZ]

Hey Alastair, excellent idea, I'm developing a wild wesr room and getting the home depot 2024 Jack of Spades character for it and currently thinking now to make it interactive in the room, assuming HD ever get back to me with availability and price!!

[@puddleraker2598]

Excellent video and build. I'm interested in how you achieved the 'lip sync', please could you explain how you did this? Thanks

[@BrittneyColemanActress]

Love this! Thank you for providing a doable and affordable way. I’m going to give this a try in one of my games.

[@PlayfulTechnology]

Ah, I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@Bigpete9000]

Squawkers is on the list for alot home Tiki Bars to mimic the Enchanted Tiki Room

[@serenaliang0320]

Hi Aleister, would a XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, an ESP32-CAM supporting wifi&ble, with 8MB PSRAM8 and MB FLASH, be helpful in your designs or projects~?

[@stewsta]

Another excellent video - I've always loved the idea of making something like this but I worry about the longevity of an animatronic - I don't have a Disney budget. The eyes behind the door are brilliant and I can imagine a slip of paper being pushed under the door (in either direction, from players as an answer or from the character as a clue/hint) as this character's interaction.

[@xfabiosoft]

Amazing! Show how you made the parrot animatronics :)

[@nonamesorry7139]

Wow very interesting! What do you think about including AR into this ?

[@grahamhik9177]

omg Alistair i have actually just asked a question about a talking parrot just like yours in this episode. i cant believe it. i posted my question in your latest audio video.