- 🧩 A digital escape game is a chain of virtual locks players solve in order to reveal a final reward.
- 📱 No equipment — each lock is a link or QR code your players open on their phone.
- 🔗 Chain locks into a trail so each solved clue points to the next.
You don't need a physical room, padlocks or printed sheets to run an escape game anymore. With virtual locks you hide a clue behind a code, share a link, and let players crack it on their phone — then chain several locks into a full trail.
This guide walks through designing one end to end, from the story to the share link.
1. Write the story and the chain
Start with the ending: what's the final reveal? A message, a prize code, a video. Then work backwards into 3–6 steps, each gated by a lock. Each lock's hidden content is the clue to the next.
Pick a mechanic per step
Vary the locks so the game stays fresh — a numeric code here, a colour sequence there, a GPS point for an outdoor leg. Not sure which to use where? See choosing the right lock type.
2. Create each lock
For every step, set the secret (the answer players must find) and the content to reveal. Keep the answer findable from the previous clue — an escape game is a chain of "aha" moments, not a guessing contest.
| Step | Lock | Clue leads to… |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numeric | A date hidden in the intro text |
| 2 | Colours | Objects in a photo, in order |
| 3 | GPS | A landmark to walk to |
| 4 | Password | The final code word |
A simple four-step trail mixing four mechanics.
3. Chain them into a trail
Group your locks into a multi-lock so players progress step by step and see a completion screen at the end. This is also where you decide the order.
« The best escape games feel inevitable in hindsight and impossible in the moment. »
— The Reveela Team
4. Share and play
Each lock gets a short link and a QR code — print the QR on a card, drop the link in a chat, or hide it in a slideshow. For classroom and corporate ideas, see virtual locks for education and team building with virtual locks.
Frequently asked questions
Do players need an account?
No. Anyone with the link can play — only the creator needs an account.
How long should an escape game be?
Three to six locks is a sweet spot: long enough to feel like a journey, short enough to finish in one sitting.