1. First things first, what inspired you to start Breakout?

The reason I started Breakout is that I've always had an affinity for puzzle. My favourite TV program growing up was the Crystal Maze and I've always loved the puzzle element of computer games such as the dungeons in Zelda. From a personal side, prior to opening Breakout I worked in the night-time event industry for over 8 years and was getting pretty fed up of it so wanted a complete career change which Breakout has definitely been. Although creating new games can be quite a challenge, it's something that I really enjoy doing and so it often doesn't feel like work! 

2. What are your future plans for Breakout?

Next on the agenda is the completion and launch the new game that we've been working on for a while. I'm not going to reveal the theme to you (maybe that's why you are reading this blog), but we are all really excited about this one. We've been working on it for a while and it's going to be very high tech! We can't wait to show you! There's still space for a few more games in our upstairs location and we're all itching to get work started on those spaces too. We're also thinking about doing a complete renovation of some of our older rooms too so there's a lot to get started on hopefully in the near future. 

3. Do you think escape rooms have a shelf life?

Part of me would like to think that they don't but I guess nearly everything has a shelf life. As long as the rooms keep getting better and original ideas are implemented in the rooms, I think they have a very long shelf life. If the current climate has taught us anything it's that people love to be entertained so providing we keep providing new and interesting ideas, I can't see any reason why escape rooms can't be around for a very long time. 

4. What is your favourite room and why?

: Sabotage, because it was the first (good) one that I designed, and I think it flows better than nearly any other room. It's hard but teams who have played a few games normally love it. Each game appeals to different people for different reasons, I personally prefer games which have a lot of puzzles in them but that you can progress through quite quickly, whereas I know a lot of people who prefer less puzzles in the game, but that require a lot more time to be spent on them.

5. A random question, what's your favourite website:

www. cat-bounce.com/

6. Your background is in marketing; how important do you think transferring those skill to breakout?

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and been of vital importance to the development of Breakout. Those platforms have allowed us to connect and communicate with our audience over the past 5 years and we’ve worked really hard to build up our presence on these sites, weather that be from sharing informative posts about Breakout, creating funny and engaging videos or sharing all of your team photos on our Facebook page.

7. What effect do you think Covid - 19 will have on your business? 

.com/ boom and bust, the financial crash in 2008, 9 / 11, both world wars – These major events show us how resilient business and people are. Firstly, my thoughts go out to everyone that’s been affected by Covid – 19. It really puts a perspective on life.
Prior to the lockdown being in place and our government closure we had already put some social distancing measures in place to ensure the safety of the public as well as our staff and we will look to keep many of these practices in place even after we reopen.
Due to government assistance, understanding creditors and a lot of negotiation Breakout will survive this crisis. We haven’t laid a single staff member off and are hoping to bounce back stronger than ever.

8. Finally, you were educated through the Welsh language. Can you say something in welsh please?

Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon - A nation without a language is a nation without a heart.