ERChamp 2025 Qualifiers: In the Books!
The 2025 ERChamp qualifiers are in the books! Congratulations to the teams that finished the fastest and will be making their way to Sofia, Bulgaria for the in-person final round this fall.
Mind Games
Montague Island Mysteries
I have an unusual report today- a neat thrift store find that has enriched many late evenings over the course of my last few weeks- Montague Island Mysteries. It practically jumped off the shelf at me at St. Vincent De Paul, and it’s been a remarkably pleasant blind purchase.
Perplex City
I casually keep an eye out for puzzle memorabilia, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to scoop up a trove of Perplex City content when I found it for the right price. The treasure hunt has been done for fifteen years, but the content is still interesting to look at in its own right, and I’m happy to have it.
Galactic Puzzle Hunt 2023
I was on the fence about participating in Galactic Puzzle Hunt in 2023. I’ve participated before in the past and found that the hunt required a pretty significant time commitment compared to other puzzle hunts. I noticed this both in Galactic’s hunt as well as the MIT Mystery Hunt they facilitated. I cautiously decided to dip my toe in this year. I’m glad I did- it was a blast!
ERChamp 2023 Finals Completed!
ERChamp 2023 is in the books, and it was a blast. I didn’t know what to expect for the coverage of the in-person finals, but the team did a great job, and it was tremendously entertaining.
Third Annual Masquerade Tribute Hunt – Starting March 20
The Third Annual Masquerade Tribute Hunt officially begins March 20th, but the fun has already started.
A Thank You to Paruzal
One of my favorite new developments in 2019-2020 was the advent of the online escape room. While businesses everywhere were locked down, clever business owners realized there was a new opportunity to offer puzzle games playable from home. While escape rooms you can play on your computer are nothing new, the novelty of having an online game master walking you through a scenario was great, and even after physical businesses reopened, I still appreciate playing these games from time to time.
ERChamp as a Watcher
Being part of the design team for ERChamp this year has been a unique experience- the annual online escape room tournament has been my favorite event to participate in every year, and now that I’m part of the design team, I can’t play along any more.
Great US Treasure Hunt – Milwaukee Recap
Saturday, September 3rd – There was no guarantee I was going to be able to participate in the Great US Treasure Hunt this year. I was excited when Milwaukee was on the list of cities hosting the hunt this year, but on the day of the hunt my wife and I had a commitment to be hosting family at our cabin in northern Wisconsin- nearly three hours north of Milwaukee.
Box One – What Is It?
Out of all the escape room / puzzle home games, I’ve seen the most hype around Box One. Produced by Neil Patrick Harris, the actor famous for Doogie Howser, How I Met Your Mother, and Doctor Horrible, the game graces the shelves of Target- a rare feat for a niche puzzle game that doesn’t advertise what exactly it is. So does the game live up to the hype?