How to be the customer every game master wants to have

Game masters are often treated like background NPCs - faceless voices behind the wall, clicking buttons, watching from cameras. But here's a reality check: game masters are humans. And just like anyone else in a customer-facing role, how you treat them directly affects the quality of the experience you get.

The Uncomfortable Truth: Energy Is Contagious

Let’s get one thing straight. A great game master is there to guide, immerse, and elevate your escape room experience. But if you walk in like a jerk - arrogant, dismissive, condescending - don’t expect magic. Game masters aren’t machines. When a player shows disrespect, it’s not revenge that kicks in - it’s self-preservation. It’s psychology.

Studies in social psychology show that emotional contagion - the subconscious mimicry of another person's emotions - happens all the time. When you're excited, respectful, and engaged, it makes us want to give you our all. When you're passive-aggressive, eye-rolling, or just radiating "I'm too cool for this," it’s hard to stay emotionally invested. That’s not petty - that’s human nature.

It’s Not Rocket Science - It’s Mindset

To be the ideal escape room customer, you don’t need insider knowledge or fancy tactics. Just come in with the desire to experience the room. That’s it.

Want to play. Be open. Let the game master do their job. Let them guide you, nudge you, support you, and maybe even scare you a little (especially in horror rooms). Don't think you know everything because most probably you don't. If you let yourself go with the flow, everything will feel smooth as butter.

Game Masters Are Listening - Always

Here’s a fact most players forget: during the entire game, the game master hears everything you say. Every joke. Every complaint. Every snide remark about the props, the puzzles, or the staff. You might think you’re alone with your friends, but trust me - you’re not.

If you’re saying things like “this is stupid,” “this guy probably doesn’t even know what he’s doing,” or worse - just know that someone is right there, listening, trying to help you have a good time. And now they’re demotivated. Not because they're thin-skinned, but because you've made it clear you don’t respect the effort they’re putting in.

A Quick Shoutout to the Real Ones

Let’s make something clear: this post is about game masters who give a damn. The ones who love the game. Who act. Who listen. Who improvise. Who stay late to fix something for the next group. If you’ve ever had a game master like that - you felt it. That spark. That vibe.

If you are a game master reading this: don’t be passive. Don’t just clock in and coast. You are the face of the experience. No matter how cool the room is, you are what people will remember. I’ve had players return just because of the atmosphere I created. Especially in horror rooms - when players leave saying “that was insane,” it’s not because of the fake blood or the scary lights. It’s because of the human touch. Yes, in my case, that included some "touchy-touchy" moments… consensual, of course 😉

Final Thoughts: Come In Willing

You don’t need to fake smiles. You don’t need to pretend everything is perfect. If something sucks, speak up. If you don’t like a puzzle or felt something was off, say it - honest feedback is valuable.

But what you shouldn’t do is walk in already checked out, acting like you're doing someone a favor by being there. That energy is toxic for everyone, including your own teammates.

Come in willing. That’s all. Willing to play. Willing to experience something new. Willing to be handled by someone who’s spent time preparing this world for you.

That’s how you get the best from a game master. And that’s how you have a damn good time.