Case Study · Puzzles and Electronics · Repeat Client
Subway Escape Room Puzzles and Electronics: Case Study for First Escape in Vienna
Our puzzles and electronics, hidden inside a real retired Vienna subway train: in the driver’s cab and in the seats. From the outside the train looks untouched.
First Escape opened The Subway in a real Vienna subway train in 2021, and our puzzles and electronics went in early 2022; the room was nominated for TERPECA every year from 2022 to 2025; the venue holds 4.9 on Tripadvisor (462 reviews) and 4.8 on Google (1,341 reviews).
- puzzles hidden in the original cab, seats and panels.
- electronics out of sight, so nothing looks like a game prop.
- a partner they could order from again.
- Production: built to the client’s own drawings and exact sizes.
- Approval: every item shown to the client on a video call before shipping.
- Installation: by the client’s team, with our instructions and remote support.
TERPECA: The Subway, with our puzzles, was nominated every year from 2022 to 2025. TERPECA is the yearly ranking of the world’s top escape rooms, voted by the most experienced players.
01 · BRIEF
Built to the Client’s Drawings
First Escape had bought a real retired Vienna subway train. For each puzzle they sent us:- the exact sizes of the place in the train.
- the logic: what players do and what happens next.
- a drawing for each part.
02 · BUILD
Hidden in the Train
Most of our work is out of sight:- electronics built into the driver’s cab and the seats.
- panels with jack plugs.
- only one or two devices that look like game props.
03 · PLAY
Quiet at the Factory, Strong in the Train
At our factory the puzzles looked like very little. Inside the subway train they turned into a strong room:- TERPECA nominee every year from 2022 to 2025.
- “the absolute highlight” for Google reviewers.
- The Temple ordered from us two years later.
The First Escape team
Vienna, Austria. In their own words, in their feedback to Indestroom after the first project:
Vienna, Austria. In their own words, in their feedback to Indestroom after the first project:
The first project
“We are happy with our first collaborated Escape Room Project between First Escape and InDeStRoom.”
The First Escape team, in their feedback to Indestroom, 2022
Quality
“indestroom has better build quality than some other companies!”
The First Escape team, in their feedback to Indestroom, 2022
Before shipping
“I liked your presentation of the items through zoom before shipping. Items were delivered in the expected quality and sizes.”
The First Escape team, in their feedback to Indestroom, 2022
After the sale
“We can reach technicians and are getting help where we need is.”
The First Escape team, in their feedback to Indestroom, 2022
Our part in it
Puzzles and electronics for The Subway, hidden in a real subway train. Two years later the client came back for The Temple, a feature-length room built by us, and then for a third project.
Our puzzles and electronics, hidden inside a real subway train.
A repeat client: three projects since 2022.
Loved by players: 4.9 on Tripadvisor from 462 reviews, Travelers’ Choice 2026.
- Puzzles made to the train’s exact sizes.
- Electronics hidden in the cab and the seats.
- Panels with jack plugs.
- Every item checked before shipping.
- Items shown on a video call before shipping.
- Installation instructions and remote support.
- Technicians reachable after launch.
- A third project already ordered.