The Great (Virtual) Escape: Your Guide to Digital Escape Rooms

There was a moment, probably around month three of lockdown, when we all started looking at our screens and thinking, “Okay, what else can this rectangle do besides Zoom calls and doomscrolling?” And that, my friends, is when digital escape rooms really stepped into the spotlight.

Virtual escape games aren’t just the stay-at-home cousin of physical ones—they’re their own thing, with their own flavor of chaos, cleverness, and collaboration. Whether you're hosting a remote team-building session, planning a birthday party with faraway friends, or just want to solve something with a little mystery and a lot of tabs open, digital escape rooms are here for it.

Let’s break it down: what they are, how to make one, how to play one, and where to find a good free one when your budget is "very much no."

Do you know that I have a friend who organised and created their own escape room as part of a university orientation game?

What Is a Digital Escape Room?

A digital escape room is a game you play on your computer (or tablet/phone if you're brave). The concept is the same as the physical kind: you’re given a challenge or mission, and you have to solve puzzles, decode clues, and unlock progress to "escape."

But instead of turning over couch cushions and looking under fake skulls, you’re clicking, typing, and maybe navigating a series of linked websites, forms, or interactive slides.

Some virtual escape rooms are:

• Google Form-based (surprisingly fun and popular)

• Slide-based using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva

• Hosted through a website with multimedia puzzles and clickable environments

• Played over Zoom or a video call with a live game master guiding you through

They're often used for classrooms, corporate events, and game nights, and they can range from ten-minute challenges to hour-long, fully themed experiences.

How to Make an Escape Room Digitally

Creating a digital escape room isn’t just for teachers and tech whizzes. You can absolutely make one for your friends, your coworkers, or your very puzzled group chat.

Step 1: Choose Your Theme and Goal
Are your players trying to escape a haunted house? Break into a vault? Solve a museum heist? Pick a fun setting and a clear objective.

Step 2: Map Out Your Puzzle Flow
Think of this like levels in a game. Each solved clue leads to the next. Try to mix it up: riddles, logic puzzles, ciphers, maybe a little trivia. Don’t go overboard unless you want your friends to stop talking to you.

Step 3: Decide on Your Format
Google Forms is a great starter tool—you can use response validation to create password-protected sections. Google Slides or Canva can create more immersive environments with clickable objects.

Step 4: Hide Your Clues
Use images, links, videos, or embedded messages. Maybe clicking a book opens a riddle, or hovering over a painting reveals a date. If it feels like you’re sending someone down a mini rabbit hole, you’re doing it right.

Step 5: Test It. Always.
Have someone else play it before you send it out. You’ll spot gaps, confusing parts, and things that only made sense in your head at 2am.

Step 6: Share and Watch the Chaos Unfold
Send out the link and prepare for the messages like, "WAIT, was the answer actually 'cabbage123'?!"

How to Play an Escape Room Virtually

Playing one is easier than you think. You don’t need any fancy gear—just a decent internet connection, a device, and a few curious minds.

Here’s how it usually works:

• Pick a platform (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) if you're playing with others. Screen sharing helps.

• Designate someone to share their screen or be the "navigator" if the game is linear.

• Communicate constantly. Everyone sees different things or notices different clues. Say it out loud, even if it seems silly.

• Take notes. Keep track of codes, clues, and what’s been solved. You will forget, and then you will yell at each other about it.

• Use the hints. Many digital escape games offer optional hints. Don't be proud. This is supposed to be fun, not a Mensa test.

If the experience includes a live host (some companies like Min(d)gle offer hosted virtual mystery games), treat it like a mini-theatre performance. Turn your camera on, get into it, and yes, we do appreciate your fake detective voice.

Are There Any Free Virtual Escape Rooms?

Yes! Plenty. And some of them are surprisingly great.

Here are a few types of free virtual escape games you can try:

• Library-Style Google Form Rooms: These exploded in popularity thanks to educators and librarians. One of the most famous is the Harry Potter digital escape room made by a Pennsylvania librarian.

• Print-and-Play Escape Kits: Some creators offer printable versions you can set up at home for free.

• YouTube-Based Adventures: There are interactive video escape games where you choose your path. You solve puzzles by pausing, writing things down, and making choices.

• Online Communities: Sites like Reddit, itch.io, and even Google Drive collections have tons of community-made rooms.

Free doesn’t mean low-effort. Some of these are creative, challenging, and a great way to see what digital escape rooms can offer before you splurge on a premium one. We also have a free one that you can try out.

Why Do People Love These Things So Much?

It’s not just about solving puzzles. It’s about collaboration, laughter, problem-solving, and the sweet satisfaction of cracking something together. You get to think outside the box—and inside a very creative virtual one.

And sure, the real-life version is awesome (yelling in a dark room while a dramatic soundtrack plays is peak group bonding), but there’s something kind of special about the digital ones. They’re accessible, creative, and you can play them in your pajamas. That counts for something.

At Min(d)gle, we’ve had a blast bringing our signature blend of puzzles and storytelling into the virtual space. The goal? Create experiences that actually feel interactive and connected, even from across the screen. It’s like theatre, gaming, and a group chat all rolled into one.

Whether you’re building one, playing one, or just poking around the internet thinking, “Could I trap my coworkers in a virtual submarine for 45 minutes?”—the answer is yes. And it’ll probably be weird and wonderful.

Happy escaping!