Escape room automation does the repeating parts: when your game system reports a game started, the screen shows the intro and a countdown, and when it reports the game ended the lights come up and a reset countdown starts for the crew. Early access.
Escape room automation, without writing code
Game starts. The game master starts the clock in the game system, and then three other things have to happen by hand: the screen in the lobby changes, the countdown starts and someone remembers to text the group their photo link. Sixty minutes later, the same thing in reverse.
Escape room automation does the repeating parts. It is an early access feature, which means it is built and tested with simulated screens, and that we will verify it with you on your real equipment. If you have ever wished the building would just do the next thing, this is the beginning of that.
What is new: rules in plain words
Under System, Automations, a rule has four parts: When something happens, Only if a condition is true, Do this in order with optional delays, and Safety rails, which limit how often a rule can run with a cooldown and a cap on runs per hour. VenueChief reads the rule back in plain words, lets you Test it, and saves it switched off until you turn it on.
- Triggers. A simulator session starts or ends. A booking is created, changed, canceled, checked in, completed, a no-show, starting soon, ending soon or overdue. A door unlocks, locks or denies access. Your own systems can also send events, such as a game starting, with a key that can do nothing else.
- Steps. Show media, set content or start a countdown on a screen. Send a guest an SMS or email. Add a note to the booking. Call a connected device.
- History. Every run shows what started it and what each step did.
Book a demo and we will build one with you in a few minutes.
Three starter packs
Packs install switched off, so nothing surprises you:
- Escape room. Six rules driven by your game system: when it reports a game started, the room screen shows an intro and a 60-minute countdown, and the lights go to a game look; when it reports the game ended, the lights come back up and a reset countdown shows for the crew. Rules also react to hint events. Your game system must be able to call a web address.
- Golf bays. Five rules, such as a countdown on the bay screen five minutes before a booking ends.
- Running without staff. Six rules for a venue with after-hours bookings, such as a lobby screen message that confirms check-in and a five-minute countdown on the screen by the bays.
An hour after a visit, a rule can send the contact a thank-you email.
Connections: cloud and on your own network
Rules can call cloud services over HTTPS, and LIFX lights. For devices on your building’s network, VenueChief Edge, a small always-on PC, makes the connection outward from your venue. Profiles exist for Art-Net, Shelly relays, MQTT, OSC, QLab, Bitfocus Companion and local web or TCP calls. New devices are added as profile files, not as new software. Because the cloud cannot reach into your network on its own, a device on your LAN needs Edge.
Anatomy of one rule
Take a rule for a game. When: your game system tells VenueChief a game started, through a web call with an event key. Do this: show the intro on the room screen, then start a 60-minute countdown. A second rule runs when your game system reports the game ended: bring the house lights up, if you have connected them, and show a reset countdown for the crew. You read the rule back in plain words, test it and turn it on. That is escape room automation without writing a line of code.
Who it suits
Escape rooms and other game-master-led experiences, golf and batting venues with screens at the bays, and any entertainment center that wants the screens, lights and messages to follow the booking. Think of it as show control for people who do not write scripts.
What it changes on a busy day
- The game master spends time on the players, not on the lobby screen.
- A reset countdown shows for the crew without anyone remembering.
- Guests get their thank-you while they are still smiling.
Availability and fine print
Automations are early access and are included with the Platform plan. See pricing.
There are no loops, variables or branching, by design. An automation cannot lock a door, but a relay switches whatever you wire to it, so never connect an exit door, an emergency release or anything that keeps people safe through one. Anything your venue depends on, such as door codes, payments, safety checks or starting a session, does not rely on an automation. We have tested with simulated screens and test fires, so we confirm each real light, relay and show-control tool with you first. It has no built-in connection to golf launch monitors, though a rule can send a web or network command to equipment that accepts one, once we have tested it with you.