EscapED: A framework for creating live-action, interactive games for higher/further education learning and soft skills development

There is a rapid growing interest and demand globally, for developing and participating in live, interactive gaming experiences otherwise known as Escape Rooms. Traditionally designed to provide entertainment, Escape Rooms require its players to solve puzzles, complete tasks and work together efficiently to complete an overall goal such as solving a mystery or escaping a room. The structure of Escape Rooms and their overall growing popularity, indicates that the premise of interactive, live-action gaming may be adapted to develop engaging scenarios for game-based learning. The authors present; EscapED, as a work in progress, case study and paradigm for creating educational Escape Rooms and Interactive Gaming Experiences. A focus is drawn to designing and developing on-site experiences, to provide engaging alternatives for learning and soft skills development amongst higher education staff and students. A review of a prototype trial, developed to support a Coventry University staff training event is given, alongside participant's general feedback and reactions to the experience and the perceived educational value of EscapED. The work in progress EscapED framework is presented as a tool to help foster a best practice approach to develop Interactive Game-Based Learning Experiences.