Escape rooms have surged in popularity over the past decade, offering a unique blend of entertainment, critical thinking and immersive storytelling. From their early beginnings with simple puzzles in locked environments, escape rooms have developed into multi-sensory experiences. Stealth Escape Rooms in Midwest City is at the forefront of this evolution, combining passion, creativity and dedication to the escape room experience.
The escape room concept has evolved across four distinct generations. First-generation rooms focused on basic puzzles and padlocks, often centered around a simple “escape the box” concept. The second generation introduced electronic elements, secret passages and improved set design, centralizing themes and missions. Third-generation rooms emphasized immersive storytelling, with advanced technology like sensors and programmable puzzles enhancing player interaction. Fourth-generation escape rooms, or “smart rooms,” integrate cutting-edge tech, offering multiple outcomes, self-resetting features and complex narratives that enhance the overall experience.
Stealth Escape Rooms began eight years ago when founders Mel and Sharron Stinnett tried their first escape room challenge, called “Clara’s Diary,” in their hometown of Edmond. This activity ignited a passion that would shape their future. Over the years, they’ve tackled nearly two dozen escape rooms across the country, repeatedly testing their wits and loving every minute. What started as a thrilling pastime soon evolved into a calling — the desire to create their very own escape room, built from the ground up with a vision of excellence.
The Stinnetts’ entrepreneurial journey wasn’t without its challenges or skeptics. Naysayers doubted their ability to bring the idea to life, but those comments only fueled their determination. Their resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to their passion and dedication. Fast-forward to today, and Stealth Escape Rooms occupies a 4,000-square-foot space with the promise of an unforgettable experience. This third-generation facility incorporates intricate puzzles into the carefully designed game rooms.
“One challenge is that many of our games are made in areas like Russia or Budapest, Hungary,” Mel said. “That means that when there are problems, we have to call one of these customer service locations on their time, which could mean being here past 1 a.m.,” Sharron said. “But we are looking locally for people who can help us design and maintain the games.”
Other trials, as one might guess, include dealing with unpredictable patrons. “We let guests know that they do not have to move heavy objects like couches or climb on items,” Sharron said. “However, sometimes people can get carried away and pull things away from walls. We even had someone break a TV in one of the rooms.”
With the wealth of information shared over the internet, Mel and Sharron also face the challenges of keeping the games up to date. “I never thought about people sharing their secrets online,” Mel said. “However, maybe that is something we need to consider, and we need to make changes to a popular room now and then. We are also working on a special themed room, ‘David and Goliath,’ and we intend to create other special rooms that will be available for a few months at a time.”
Currently, Stealth Escape Rooms offers several immersive options:
- Alice;
- School of Magic;
- Jungle Drums; and
- The Manor
Each room incorporates advanced technologies to enhance player experience, such as automatic actuators that open doors, cabinets and hatches. Magnetic locks prevent access to certain areas until the right moment, adding to the challenge. Bluetooth technology is also employed, ensuring immersive puzzles for players.
The founders of Stealth Escape Rooms believe in providing more than just entertainment — they want to bring joy, challenge the mind and encourage reflection. As escape rooms continue to evolve and attract diverse participants, Mel and Sharron continue to lead the way, offering immersive adventures that are not only fun but also rooted in purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned escape room enthusiast or someone curious to try it for the first time, Stealth Escape Rooms offers a unique blend of challenge, creativity and inspiration.
To learn more about how you can try out Oklahoma’s fastest-growing escape room adventure, visit their website to learn more about hours, pricing and reservations.
