Analyzing trends: Maximizing success with popular escape room themes

Understanding the most popular and trending themes

Analyzing trends: Maximizing success with popular escape room themes
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In the competitive world of escape rooms, choosing the right theme is crucial for attracting players and driving bookings. At Morty, we've been tracking player interests to learn which themes are currently resonating the most. Based on user views, our insights provide a valuable perspective on what draws people to these immersive experiences.
For escape room owners, understanding these trends can inform decisions on new room designs or updates to existing ones. By aligning your offerings with popular and emerging themes, you can attract more players and ensure your business's continued success. Let's explore the themes that have captured the most attention and see how trends are shifting in this constantly changing industry.
 

Top Themes by Popularity

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Our data reveals that some themes consistently attract more views, hinting at higher player interest and, potentially, more bookings. Here’s a look at the most viewed themes over the last 12 months:
  1. Comedy: Light-hearted and humorous scenarios like Blackout and What The F#@! Happened Last Night lead the pack, indicating a strong demand for entertaining and fun experiences.
  1. Cartoon: Whimsical and creative setups such as Trouble in the Toy Shop draw significant attention, appealing to families and fans of animated fun.
  1. Animals: Adventures centered around animal themes, like the Kingdom Of Cat-tastrophy, maintain solid interest and high ratings for their appeal to all age ranges.
  1. Cyber (Dystopia): Immersive sci-fi stories like Annihilation are consistently rated highly, showing that catering to tech enthusiasts and fans can pay off.
  1. Psychological Horror: Thrilling and suspenseful experiences such as The Asylum captivate those seeking a good scare.
 
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While some themes maintain a steady following, others are on the rise. Notable trends include:
  • Theatrical: Dramatic themes like Le Feu are gaining traction, suggesting a growing appetite for story-driven, immersive experiences.
  • Vintage: Nostalgic themes like the 70s/80s-themed Death in the Disco are becoming increasingly popular.
  • Pirates: Classic adventure themes like Pirates of Tortuga are seeing renewed interest due to their universal appeal and the promise of treasure-hunting excitement.
 
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On the flip side, some themes are seeing a decline in views, indicating a potential shift in player preferences:
  • Cyber (Dystopia): Despite its popularity, this genre has notably decreased interest, which could be an opportunity for reinvention or refreshing storylines to reignite player excitement.
  • Gothic: Traditional horror elements, like those that appear in LiCastro’s Lair, may benefit from a modern twist or integration with other popular themes.
  • Victorian: While a classic, the decline in interest for themes like The Poe Adventure suggests players may be seeking fresher narratives within this theme.
 

Learnings for Escape Room Owners & Operators

Understanding these trends is crucial for escape room owners who want to attract and retain players. As interest in specific themes rises and falls, adapting your offerings can help you stay relevant and competitive. Whether you're considering adding new rooms or updating existing ones, aligning with current interests can drive views and bookings.
At Morty, we encourage business owners to leverage these insights and consider experimenting with themes that are trending upwards. Additionally, focusing on execution quality remains critical, as even popular themes can falter if not delivered well.
 

Final Thoughts

The escape room industry is ever-evolving, and staying ahead of the curve can be challenging. Monitoring player interests (and adjusting your themes accordingly) can enhance your appeal and profitability. For those interested in deeper insights or additional data, including booking trends and detailed reviews, please contact the Morty team at [email protected].

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Written by

Amy
Amy

Content strategist and social media maven for venture-backed startups.

     
     
     
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