About us - who is behind Spybrain?

Philosophy, Team, History

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Spybrain - who are we?

“We” are the brothers Lars and Ralf. After we were infected with the escape virus for the first time sometime in early 2015, it worked its way through us until we realized: we can do that too – and we want to do it. And so it started with Spybrain…

How did it all begin?

After a long search, we finally found our first location in 2017 – as a genuine start-up in a former garage. But don’t worry, the smell of engine oil has long gone, and from the inside you wouldn’t believe where you are. In the same year, we were able to launch our first room, “the magical music machine”. We designed all the puzzles and game rooms ourselves. It turned out that we seemed to be quite good at it, so we just didn’t stop. And so, just a short time later (2018), our second game opened, the Traveler!

Our games and ideas

For our first room, we wanted to choose a theme that we hadn’t come across before and that is also very close to our hearts: Music. So we developed the story around the “Kölsche Jong” (guy from Cologne) Dieter Behrenkamp, who was to be the music teacher in our crazy retro music school from now on. Well, he never really got to teach, because on the one hand it was supposed to be about fun and not about music education – and on the other hand the guy keeps getting kidnapped and has to be rescued by our guests. But that’s another story, namely that of the magical music machine. A few facts about this game:

We also came up with our very own story for the second room, which again brings together a few of our personal interests: science fiction, travel, and our fascination for technology and science. So we sent another character, this time in the form of the reclusive researcher Anne van Maelen, on a journey. She has to complete her exciting mission together with you, our guests. This is the story of the traveler. This room combines completely new puzzles with a completely new way of controlling an escape room. If you take on this mission, a small firework display of effects is guaranteed. A few special features at a glance:

Our escape room philosophy

With Spybrain, your gaming experience is absolutely paramount. With themed and challenging puzzles, you should be completely immersed in the game and lose track of time. Because the backdrops are not just a short stopover for your playtime: our escape rooms make you the main characters in the game.

Immersion: puzzle or no puzzle?

It is particularly important to us that the puzzles match the theme and atmosphere of the playrooms. That’s why we didn’t just distribute random puzzles and codes in our games, but asked ourselves how and why each individual piece belongs in the room. The puzzles should be interesting and innovative and not feel like everyday tasks.

The game is intended to be immersive and the puzzles thematic, so that you can immerse yourself in the game world. But it is and remains a game: When you turn on a tap and water appears as if by magic – this is of course highly thematic and immersive, but only the water gets into the “flow”, not the players. That’s why the puzzles and effects should always have a surprising touch – either as an effect or as a little treat for the mind.

With a lot of detailed work and analysis, we have tried to bring these two sides of the coin together. We were able to gain a lot of experience in the process, which we apply to the regular updates of our games. Because our Live Escapes shouldn’t just be great – they should stay that way.

The gaming experience takes center stage

So you can concentrate completely on the game for just under an hour and let the rest of the world fly past you – a great feeling that only a good escape room can give you!

We designed all the games and puzzles ourselves and worked on them for a long time. The result is a cozy and personal atmosphere that welcomes every player and invites them to play relaxed puzzles. The game and the story will then provide the necessary suspense themselves.

Special features

Our Live Escapes are equally suitable for newcomers and experienced escape maniacs. Inexperienced players will find it easy to get started and can quickly find their way around to fully enjoy the escape room experience. But there’s plenty to discover at Spybrain Escape for the old hands of the scene too!

The feeling of flow is a central aspect of the escape game. It comes about when you “get into the game” through many small experiences of success and get better and better at what you do. At the same time, you completely lose track of time. Many people describe this as an almost intoxicating feeling. With our games we try to help our guests get into this state.

Of course we also have the classic combination locks (but only in the magical music machine), whose codes you have to find out in the craziest ways. But we love surprises and amazing effects that make the experience unique. And so there is much more to our escapes than just cracking codes and opening locks. In our second room, the traveler, we have even dispensed with locks altogether.

Please note our guidelines regarding the recommended age. The magical music machine is also suitable for children aged 11 and over. If you are interested in celebrating a children’s birthday party in the Escape Room, please contact us. We can then adapt the room a little to make puzzles that are not so easy for children to solve a little more child-friendly.

Due to the subject matter and the nature of the puzzles, we do not recommend “The Traveler” for children.

Although Escape Room suggests being locked in, you are in fact not not locked in and can leave the room at any time. The exit door is always open. You will not be frightened or forced into confined spaces. Throughout the game, our game masters will accompany you via camera and are available at all times, and you will be looked after by your personal game master throughout your stay.

If you have any special requests, e.g. additional appointments, we will be happy to help you by contact form, e-mail, WhatsApp/Signal or telephone.

And if possible, we will try to accommodate your wishes or find a solution. However, please understand that we cannot fulfill everything and that we may need some time to respond from time to time. We are people like you!

Is that a special feature? Probably not. Nevertheless, we are always happy to point out that you will not be jumpscared in our rooms or have to wade knee-deep through unpleasant substances.

As you will have noticed after reading this page, we are all about having fun.

Our range of games

Escape rooms and much more

The magical music machine

The music escape room

Sinister conspirators are up to no good in Cologne: the whole city is in danger of being hypnotized! But there is a remedy: a magic machine.

The traveler

Can you complete the mission of the missing journalist?

People are disappearing all over the world. A mysterious journalist seems to have discovered the cause. She tries to go to the roots of it. But she does not return from this journey…

Online Escape Games

Real escape puzzles for your home computer.

Thanks to multiplayer mode, you can play with your friends all over the world.

In addition to our award-winning series for adults, we also have an online escape game for children (in german only)!

Outdoor tours

Puzzle backpack or smartphone tour – we have it all.

With your smartphone or puzzle backpack, you make your way through the city, always on the lookout for the next puzzle.

We offer two types of rally: you can plan the smartphone rallies independently and hold them whenever you want. The lavish Premium Rallye (available soon), on the other hand, scores points with its unexpectedly lavish equipment.