What is a Virtual Escape Room? (And Why It's Way More Fun Than Traditional Team Building)

Mia David -

It's team building that doesn't feel forced or cheesy.
Or a class activity that students genuinely want to do.
Possibly even a unique fundraising idea.

You may be asking yourself: "What the heck is a virtual escape room?" And you know what, we had wondered the same when we first heard of customers using Goosechase for virtual escape rooms.

Virtual escape rooms are an online twist on the classic group puzzle game that brings people together to crack codes, solve mysteries, and maybe get a little too competitive (guilty as charged).

Whether you're a teacher, a team lead, or just trying to spice up a group hang, a virtual escape room is a fast, fun, and surprisingly easy way to spark collaboration, creativity, and the good kind of chaos.

So, what is a virtual escape room?

It’s exactly what it sounds like: an escape room experience… just online.

Instead of being locked in a physical room full of themed puzzles (with someone waiting by the door for you to use up the hint you paid an extra $10 for) and needing to crack the code on a lockbox, players join remotely and work together to solve a series of challenges that lead them to “escape.”

The mission? Beat the clock.
The tools? Wits, teamwork, and some Googling. And maybe that $10 clue.
The vibe? Pure adrenaline. Or at least some light panic.

As much fun as they can be, physical escape rooms aren't always realistic or accessible. If you've ever been the victim of escape room-induced claustrophobia, or want to engage a group of people remotely, the option of a fully virtual escape room might be right up your alley.

How do virtual escape rooms work?

There are lots of ways to run a virtual escape room, from DIY Google Forms to fully immersive platforms (our unbiased preference). But no matter the format, the core idea is the same:

🧩 Solve puzzles...
💬 with a team, maybe against other teams...
⏱️ in a defined amount of time...
🏁 in order to solve a final clue that allows you to "escape"!

They’re often hosted over Zoom or your video platform of choice, with teams working in breakout rooms or together in a shared space. Some are text-based, others use images, audio, or video.

Who are virtual escape rooms for?

Short answer: Everyone.

Long answer:

  • Teachers looking for an engaging way to introduce or review content
  • People Leaders, Culture Leaders, and HR Managers who want a better remote team social than “virtual trivia night, again”
  • Event organizers aiming to build connection between attendees, even across locations and time zones
  • Youth groups, friend groups, and family reunions that want something to do besides “catch up” awkwardly on a screen
  • Creative people who want to build immersive games for friends and family

If your group can use a free app and follow directions, you're good to go.

What kinds of challenges are in a virtual escape room?

Think scavenger hunt meets group project meets low-stakes panic.

(Compliment)

Challenges might include:

  • Word or number puzzles
  • Riddles or trivia
  • Decoding messages
  • Solving visual clues
  • Acting out or submitting creative tasks

The beauty is in the variety—and the fact that everyone can contribute something different. Logic-lover? Puzzle master. Theater kid? Clue reenactor. Spreadsheet nerd? Timekeeper.

Why run a virtual escape room?

Besides the fact that they’re way more fun than most virtual meetings?

  • They build trust. You need each other to win.
  • They encourage communication. No lurking in the background here. Diverse challenges allow the spotlight to shine on different members of the team.
  • They’re easy to set up. Seriously—you can make one in less time than it takes to prep a slide deck. Especially if you use Goosechase and our AI Mission Generator.
  • They’re unforgettable. The beauty of a custom escape room is that you can personalize the activity for your group! The more relevant each puzzle is to the team, the more memorable.

Can I make virtual escape rooms in Goosechase?

You bet. We’re big fans of escape rooms—and Goosechase happens to be the perfect platform for bringing them to life.

Build your escape room as a Goosechase Experience by turning each puzzle into a Mission. You can mix and match:

  • Text Missions for riddles, passwords, or coded clues
  • Photo or Video Missions for creative reenactments and visual puzzles
  • GPS Missions if you’re going hybrid and want players to track down real-world locations

It's easy for you to set up, exciting for your participants to solve.

Try Goosechase for free!