Ideal Duration for a Successful Escape Game

Are you organizing a team-building event and wondering how long an escape game lasts? Generally, a session lasts between 45 and 75 minutes, but the time can vary depending on the chosen format. Discover the different options tailored to your goals, as well as our tips to make the most of every minute of this immersive adventure.

The standard duration of an escape game

Most escape games last 60 minutes, a format that has become the standard for its balance between challenge and immersion. This duration keeps the adrenaline high while giving enough time to solve the puzzles. Every escape game organizer in Lausanne adopts this standard, as it creates an intense yet accessible experience for different player profiles.

Type of escape game	Average duration	Target audience
Classic escape game	60 minutes	Teams of 2 to 6 players
Express format	30 to 45 minutes	Children, event activities
Immersive experience	90 minutes to several hours	Companies, large groups
Mobile escape game	45 to 75 minutes	Corporate team building

Several factors influence the duration of an escape game: puzzle complexity, number of players, and level of assistance available. A complex scenario with many puzzles requires more time, while a large team can progress faster thanks to diverse skills. The goal is to strike a balance between difficulty and accessibility, keeping the adrenaline high throughout the experience. The game master plays a key role in this, able to adjust the allotted time or provide hints to keep the team engaged. This standard 60-minute duration is the result of the concept’s natural evolution, offering an optimal experience for most participants.

Total time to plan for a session

An escape game session includes several stages. The initial briefing lasts 10 to 15 minutes to explain the scenario and instructions. The 60 minutes of gameplay follow immediately. At the end, the debriefing takes 15 to 30 minutes. Including welcome and departure, plan for between 1.5 and 2 hours on site for the full experience.

Welcoming participants and setting the mood
Detailed briefing on rules and scenario
Game phase with strict timing
Debriefing to analyze the experience
Organized departure according to the initial schedule

To get the most out of your session, involve all team members from the start. Clearly communicate discoveries and assign roles based on skills. Keep an eye on the clock and avoid getting stuck on a single puzzle. Use hints wisely and focus on collaboration. Good time management allows you to make the most of the 60 minutes of gameplay.

Duration variations by concept

Short and express escape game formats

Think 60 minutes is too long? Alternatives exist! Some escape games last only 30 to 45 minutes. These express formats are perfect for groups in a hurry or younger players. The adrenaline remains high despite the shorter duration thanks to targeted puzzles.

Features	Short Escape Game (30-45 min)	Standard Escape Game (60 min)
Game duration	30 to 45 minutes	60 minutes
Total on site	1h to 1.5h (including briefing/debriefing)	1.5h to 2h (including briefing/debriefing)
Advantages	Fits tight schedules, accessible to children, ideal for event breaks	Deeper immersion, complex puzzles, stronger team cohesion
Use cases	Express team building, booth activities, children’s birthdays, game nights	Corporate events, seminars, challenges among friends
Player limit	Small groups (often 2-6 players)	Larger groups (up to 600 players depending on format)

Short formats fit easily into a busy schedule. In companies, they efficiently liven up event breaks, open days, or trade shows. For team building, they stimulate collaboration without taking up a whole day. They’re also great for birthdays or game nights with friends, offering intense fun in little time. Perfect for novice groups, these games help players learn the mechanics gently.

Extended immersive experiences

Want total immersion? Some escape games last several hours or even a whole day. These immersive experiences combine gameplay, meals, and sometimes overnight stays. Life-size sets and complex scenarios extend the adventure beyond a simple escape. The intensity remains high thanks to challenges spread over time.

Immersive games: interactive theater and escape game for deep immersion in the story world
Large-format escape games for big groups with puzzles spread across large, modular spaces
Immersive escape game experiences
Outdoor escape games using unique locations (forests, castles, old rectories) for a naturally immersive adventure
Horror escape games built around scary scenarios with special effects and a terrifying atmosphere
Gastronomic escape games combining puzzle-solving and tasting dishes unlocked by culinary challenges

These extended formats greatly strengthen team cohesion. Spending several hours together on a shared challenge builds interpersonal relationships. Prolonged immersion helps participants forget the work setting, revealing new sides of colleagues. These experiences create lasting memories and strengthen team spirit well beyond the event. Ideal for seminars or multi-hour team building, they help build shared memories.

An escape game session is about 60 minutes of intense gameplay, with a total of 1.5 to 2 hours including briefing and debriefing. Formats vary to suit your goals: short immersion for dynamic team building, or long adventure for deep immersion. Ready to strengthen your team’s cohesion? Choose the format that matches your ambitions and turn your challenges into collective success, where every minute counts for creating unforgettable memories and a united team.