Are you a skeptic or more of a team player? Player types in comparison in Live Escape Games

Working behind the scenes of Live Escape Games can be one of the most enjoyable professions in the world! You're constantly on the move, meeting new people, and witnessing them face exciting challenges live. Our team members, both on-site and behind the screens, ensure that participants of an Exit Room Game can progress even in challenging parts of the game and have fun in the process. However, the most interesting part is analyzing the players' behavior. In most cases, a knowledgeable and serious evaluation of behaviors is carried out by our coaches and psychologists. Based on this data, the events can be explored together in a post-game Power Workshop and used as a basis for developing new communication and action strategies. This is especially useful when the experience of Live Escape Games serves professional purposes such as team building, employee development and training, as well as recruiting and onboarding. However, when observing so many people playing Exit Games, you can't help but notice certain patterns. This doesn't just refer to amusing anecdotes we've collected over the years with our customers. We've also identified some amusing player types, of which at least one or even several specimens can be found in almost every group. Of course, this list is not entirely serious but rather meant to bring a smile to your face. Perhaps you've already participated in one of our team-oriented Live Escape Games and recognize yourself or other players based on these characteristics. Or it helps you look forward to an upcoming game. After all, one can't be sure how they would behave until they are actually in the situation.
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Player types in Live Escape Games

The Commentator

You don't even have to see him; you hear him. Similar to live broadcasts of sports events, the commentator is fully engaged in the Exit Room Game. Whether it's just 60 minutes or extended to 90 minutes, he entertains both spectators and players with his commentary. How things work, what's happening right now, how he feels, what puzzle is coming up, what clues are available - he comments on everything. How to recognize him: He's always in the midst of the action, loudly narrating everything he sees. Typical phrases: "Look over there, a crate!", "What is that? Oh, a lock! We should definitely think about how to open it now!", "It worked!", "Look, another crate!"

The Doubter

The Doubter can be both advantageous and detrimental as a team player. With their skeptical attitude, they can effectively slow down the group and bring them to reason when the chosen solution path is incorrect. However, if the chosen solution path is correct, the Doubter's generally negative outlook can become a challenge. Convincing them to collaborate can take extra time, or they may divert everyone from the actually correct idea. How to recognize them: Their physical defensive posture during the game is noticeable, often with crossed arms or legs. Typical phrases: "This won't work anyway.", "I don't think we can make it.", "This puzzle is impossible to solve, it's too difficult!"

The Optimist

The Optimist is the exact opposite of the Doubter. They motivate the group with their overflowing energy and see the final solution drawing closer in every tiny clue. They are not deterred by minor setbacks and continue undeterred. This can be incredibly uplifting when the team is on the verge of successfully completing the game. However, if all players fail at a puzzle, their phrases can quickly test everyone's patience. How to recognize them: The constant smile and enthusiastically wide-open eyes. Typical phrases: "Only 10 minutes left, and we're only halfway through the puzzles? We're doing great!", "We've got this!", "It'll be fine!"

The Overachiever

Yes, even in Live Escape Games, you can sometimes observe the overachiever. They strive extremely ambitiously to solve every small puzzle first, in order to shine in front of their teammates. The ultimate goal is the group's victory; anything less would be truly disappointing. Accordingly, they are highly motivated, which can certainly benefit the team. How to recognize them: Even before the start of the game, they try to make friends with the organizers, hoping to get additional hints during the game. Typical phrases: "We absolutely have to take first place!", "I know this, I know this!"

The Theorist

The theorist in the Exit Room Game is known for delving into the analysis of the situation and constantly coming up with new theories and hypotheses. They think deeply and try to consider every possible solution before settling on a final answer. This can be both positive and negative, as the theorist often provides valuable insights and creative solutions but also tends to get involved in endless debates and waste time. How to recognize them: They are often deeply engrossed in thought or engaged in heated discussions. Typical words: "What if...", "Let's go through all the possibilities...", "I think we should analyze this more closely..."

The Team Player

When nerves are frayed due to time and performance pressure, tensions can arise among players. In the midst of this, you'll often find the team player, trying to mediate and keep the peace. They motivate all players to work together and push them to achieve their best. They intentionally pass the ball to the participant who is most likely to help in the given situation with their skills. Conflict, envy, resentment, competition, or competence struggles are foreign concepts to them; instead, they rely on teamwork and can create it if necessary. How to recognize them: Their words and gestures resemble motivational pep talks from sports coaches. Typical words: "Teamwork makes the dream work!", "All together now!", "We've got this!"

The Hurried Player

Now let's talk about the most restless type of player, the hurried player. They are already driven by the ticking clock even before the start of the live escape game, and therefore, they don't handle the additional stress of the game very positively. They push their teammates to move quickly, even when a brief pause might be more productive. A countdown is a trigger for them, as well as more deliberate players. How to recognize them: They have an almost manic relationship with the clock and tend to appear quite tense. Typical words: "Quick, quick, quick!", "We need to hurry!", "We don't have time for this dawdling!"

The Sleepyhead

A perfect complement to the hurried player is the sleepyhead. These players are not just relaxed; they are the epitome of calmness. They are relatively unconcerned as the time runs out and their teammates become more agitated. They are the rock in the storm, unflappable by stress. However, they may also struggle to actively participate in the game because the rest of the group always seems to be two steps ahead. How to recognize them: The bewildered look when trying to enter a number combination into a lock that has already been opened. Typical words: "What's going on here, anyway?", "Calm down, no rush!", "Why is this box already open?"

The Choleric

Last but not least, let us introduce you to the most passionate of all player types, the choleric. They are wholeheartedly invested and express their emotions unfiltered. This is especially evident when something doesn't work right away or the team follows the wrong lead. In such moments, the choleric reminds everyone how bad the situation actually is and engages in loud negative motivation. However, if you remain unaffected by their swearing parade, the choleric can have a refreshing effect. How to recognize them: Pulsating neck veins and arms impulsively raised above their head. Typical words: "This darn lock won't open now!", "Such a cursed mess!", "That's (insert any profanity)!"

So, were you able to identify with any of these amusing player types in Live Escape Games? Whether yes or no, the main intention of this list is not to judge but to show you that one of the main factors for the uniqueness of an Exit Game lies in the diversity of the players. You could play the same game twice and never have the same experience. It's the participants who add flavor to the challenges. Whether all participants work together as a team and achieve successes together or contrary characters provide additional challenges. When booking a Live Escape Game as a group activity, it's not just about playing an entertaining exit story but also about the unique opportunity to experience your colleagues as fellow players in an extraordinary situation. Due to time pressure, some sleepyheads turn into hectics, and even some optimists become doubters. This shared experience is a memorable one for most of our customers, and it's something they can laugh heartily about even some time later. Would you like to find out which player types are among you and your colleagues? Then contact us for your company's Live Escape Game and find out!

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