Locked in a themed room, participants of a new game making its entry into central Arkansas must work their way through a series of puzzles before time runs out.
North Little Rock's Park Hill neighborhood is home to the first "escape room" concept in the region. This one challenges players to solve the mystery of fictional paranormal investigator Wolf Muldoon's disappearance in an office within 60 minutes.
Co-owner Jeremy Rhodes, one of six people behind the project, said the escape room set to open Thanksgiving weekend was created at a former law firm at 109 E. C Ave.
"You'll see some UFO paintings and some other paraphernalia from what you might see in such an office," he said. "From there, you'll also see a lot of locks and contraptions that you'll have to solve."
Up to eight participants at a time respond to an anonymous international call for leads in the case to solve the mystery, according to escape room organizers.
"Agent Muldoon disappeared mysteriously in 1995. Due to unsettling sounds coming from within the office, the FBI sealed off the room a month after his disappearance," the game's scenario states. "It has not been disturbed in 20 years."
Rhodes said the concept took about two months to become a reality through tweaks in the difficulty level and testing on a select group over the weekend.
For those unable to withstand the environment, Rhodes said there will be a code allowing them to leave at any time.
Rhodes said he believes the escape room will generally bring a younger crowd, though an age restriction has been imposed based on puzzle difficulty.
According to the escape room's website, the suggested minimum age to play is 14. Children under the age of 16 are required to have adult supervision.
The concept is part of a worldwide trend of placing people into different scenarios that have them racing against the clock to find an escape.
A website called Escape Room Directory lists 60 countries and nearly 500 cities with escape rooms, not including the North Little Rock location. Other in-state escape rooms are located in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Russellville and Springdale, according to to the directory.
More escape rooms in central Arkansas are in the works, particularly in the Little Rock area, Rhodes said.
Entry into the escape room is $20 per player, according to the escape room's owners. Group bookings are $160 for up to eight players.
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Public bookings are available for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
More information about Central Arkansas Escape Rooms, including how to book a time slot, can be found on its website or by calling (501) 396-9787.
