Where Did the Idea for Escape Rooms Come From?
David Middleton: My journey into game design began in 2014 during my stag do in Budapest, where I played my first escape room. That experience was eye-opening, and I thought, “I could do this, and maybe even add my unique twist to it.” Along with my business partner, we started brainstorming and designing, eventually opening our first DIY-style escape room in Brighton. Though there were already other companies in the area, our humor-filled and creative approach quickly made us stand out. Since then, game design has become my passion, with escape rooms, outdoor treasure hunts, and murder mystery games as a result of that.
How Did Outdoor Games Become a Focus?
David Middleton: Outdoor games became a key part of our business in two phases. Initially, we experimented with a multi-venue pub crawl game, but the concept didn’t take off at the time. Later, the pandemic pushed us to explore digital escape rooms, which were a huge success. When the demand for online games declined, we revisited outdoor games as a new way to innovate.
Outdoor games appealed to our clients because of their flexibility – they work just as well for a family outing as they do for large corporate groups. With outdoor games, we could design experiences that were scalable, versatile, and creatively fulfilling.
How Did You Discover the Caught Platform?
David Middleton: I learned about Caught through a recommendation from a fellow escape room owner. It was described as an intuitive platform for designing outdoor games without requiring programming skills. After trying it, I was sold. The platform’s logic-based design tools, flexibility, and constant updates make it an ideal choice for game designers like me.
Why Did You Choose Caught?
David Middleton: Caught stood out because of its simplicity and versatility. The platform’s trigger-and-action system allows for endless possibilities, enabling me to create anything from branching narratives to dynamic puzzles. As someone who hands games off to clients, I needed a platform that was easy for them to use and reliable. Caught delivered on both fronts.
Another big factor is the Caught team’s responsiveness. They listen to user feedback and consistently roll out new features and updates, which keeps the platform fresh and innovative.
What’s Your Favorite Feature of Caught?
David Middleton: For me, it’s the ability to create custom logic trees using triggers. This allows me to design games with branching paths, layered hints, and interactive choices. It’s like having a Lego box of creative tools that I can assemble in countless ways.
I’m also excited about newer features, like integrating 360° images. While I haven’t used all of them yet, I love the potential they bring for creating immersive storytelling experiences.
How Do You See the Learning Curve for Caught?
David Middleton: I found Caught very intuitive. The system is easy to understand, and the process of experimenting with its features – like creating mini-games or testing logic paths – makes learning enjoyable.
If I ever hit a roadblock, the platform’s support team and resources are always available to help. It’s a platform that grows with you: the more complex your ideas, the more you can explore and push its boundaries.
What Feedback Have You Received From Your Customers About Caught?
David Middleton: Most of the feedback I receive is indirect – when a game runs smoothly, no news is good news. However, one client was particularly enthusiastic, sending me messages like, “Oh my God, you can do this!” and “Oh my God, you can do that!”
Their excitement about the platform’s possibilities was infectious, reaffirming my confidence in Caught as a tool for delivering exceptional experiences.
How Does Caught Fit Into Your Own Escape Room Business?
David Middleton: We’ve used Caught for pop-up events and corporate experiences, such as our box-style game for larger groups. While not location-based, the platform serves as a versatile tool for inputting answers and managing progression.
One memorable example was a corporate event where we customized a game with quiz questions about their outgoing MD. It took just 10 minutes to set up on Caught, but the impact was tremendous and the client loved it.
What Features Would You Like to See Added to Caught?
David Middleton: I’d love to see enhancements for hint systems, like adding dedicated hint buttons to questions.
Another idea is integrating 3D objects that players can manipulate in the app, like imagine rotating a digital letter to reveal hidden clues.
These features could take immersion and interactivity to the next level.
Any Final Thoughts for New Caught Users?
David Middleton: Caught is an essential tool for any game designer. It’s intuitive, versatile, and constantly evolving. Whether you’re creating simple puzzles or complex narratives, Caught provides the framework to bring your ideas to life.
My advice? Dive in, experiment, and explore. You might just find that Caught is the missing piece to your next great game.
