New Ford Escape enters the interactive world of gaming

by Keith Morgan on Thursday, June 30th, 2016

It’s the first-ever driveable game that challenges participants to use the latest technology and features of the 2017 Escape to figure out clues and solve puzzles.

Ford teamed up with visionary puzzle master Victor Blake to design the world’s first Escape the Room drive experience, integrating technology from the new Ford Escape in a creative plot that has players discovering a whole new side of New York State, and themselves.

The interactive experience sold out in less than 24 hours, with more than 1,000 players signing up for an immersive group gaming experience, at Moynihan Station in Midtown Manhattan.

It’s the first-ever driveable game that challenges participants to use the latest technology and features of the 2017 Escape to figure out clues and solve puzzles.

This artist rendering hints at what’s in store for players in Escape NYC: An Escape the Room Driving Experience.

Participants use technology and features of the 2017 Ford Escape – such as the voice-to-text capabilities of SYNC® 3 – to figure out clues and solve puzzles.

 

 

Designed in collaboration with New York State’s I LOVE NEW YORK campaign, creator Blake crafted a consumer experience like no other. Players attempt to escape multiple rooms in one of New York’s most iconic buildings – Moynihan Station.

“Younger, urban consumers today want to live through experiences and engage with brands that represent their lifestyle,” said Ginger Kasanic, Ford experiential marketing manager. “They are voracious consumers of life – they’re not spectators, they’re participants.

“Escape the Room NYC can be summed up as the experience economy trend putting a unique spin on the traditional test drive,” Kasanic adds.

The event is true to the gaming phenomenon Blake created, which has become one of the trendiest entertainment experiences with millennials, except for the fact it takes place over a 3,250 square metres set.

“Ford asked if I’d be up for integrating the new Escape into an Escape the Room game, and the end result is unlike anything I’ve created before,” says Blake. “The SUV is packed with tons of advanced technology, and it was an entertaining exercise to integrate things like ultrasonic parking sensors into the puzzles and clues that are iconic to the game.”

Players find themselves immersed in the hidden treasures of summertime in New York as they navigate the quintessential path of going from humble beginnings to making it big in the film industry.

An expansive, five-room play space prompts participants to find clues that will guide their journey using various technological tools available in the new Escape, and their own wits.

keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca