You play
60 minutes in an escape room, just like any other game. 2 to 6 people per escape room, larger teams in several rooms at the same time. A short briefing beforehand, a debrief afterwards. Allow around 90 minutes in total.
Performance Lab · at all three locations
Escape room with a structured team report
You play 60 minutes of escape room while a specially briefed observer watches in the background, and within 48 hours you'll have your team report in your inbox. For companies that want real insight into how they work together, not just a pleasant afternoon. No role play, no questionnaire, just a shared task under time pressure.
At three locations: Leipzig, Hannover and Nienburg. You book through the respective location's website, where you'll also find the prices.
Quick impulses for your team, easy to get approved: The analysis costs 39 € per person, minimum 149 € per room. With the room price, the Performance Lab starts at 65 € per person (Leipzig 72 €), well below the German allowance of 110 € per employee for staff events. The numbers in detail
The concept in five lines
- 60 min Escape room, played just like any other game. 2 to 6 people per room, larger teams in several rooms at the same time.
- Observation using a fixed method by a specially briefed observer. The observation sheet is the same every time.
- AI analysis evaluates the pseudonymised notes and drafts the report.
- A person checks No report goes out unchecked. The observer team or an external coach reads it through and approves it.
- 48 h Then your team report with recommendations and individual profiles is in your inbox.
How it works
Your Performance Lab, step by step
Real situations show real behaviour. Under time pressure, with a shared task, and without anyone playing a part.
We observe
A specially briefed observer watches in the background via the cameras that run in our rooms anyway and takes notes using a structured method. The observation sheet is based on models from team research and is the same every time. Nothing is recorded.
You receive the report
The AI evaluates the pseudonymised notes and writes the draft. A person checks the report and approves it (observer and reviewer are named in the report), and only then does it go out. You'll have it by email within 48 hours.
The result
What you'll have in your hands afterwards
Structured observation, properly evaluated. Meant as a basis for discussion for the whole team, not as a school report.
The team report
- Team dynamics: who leads, who thinks along, where things get stuck under pressure
- Your team's strengths and blind spots
- Concrete recommendations for everyday work
- Discussion questions for your next team meeting
The AI writes the draft, people read it through. Each team member also receives an individual profile. With the Pro format, an external coach additionally observes and reviews the analysis professionally.
Want to see what you'll get first?
We'll happily send you a sample report as a PDF. Simply write sample report in the message of the enquiry form on the location website of your choice, or email info@escapeuniverse.de directly.
What the report is not: not a personality test, not an aptitude assessment, not a rating of individuals. It shows how your team worked together under pressure for an hour, and what can be taken from that for everyday work.
Why an escape room, of all things
Because nobody plays a part in there
An escape room is a real task with real time pressure. Exactly the conditions under which teams otherwise only reveal themselves when it really matters.
One task, one goal, one clock
Everyone wants out, everyone has 60 minutes. There's no facilitator steering the group and no questionnaire that could be filled in strategically. Who leads, who coordinates, who goes quiet: it shows all by itself.
The same method for everyone
The observation sheet is the same every time, at every location. That makes the observation comparable and guards against gut feeling. The AI only receives these notes, no names, no images.
A great day stays a great day
The game isn't a test you have to pass. You'll have a good hour together, with briefing and debrief. The analysis comes on top, without the experience suffering for it.
Formats
Choose your format
Three levels that build on each other. The room price differs by location, the surcharge for the analysis is the same everywhere. The invoice shows VAT separately.
Team building
The location's room price
For teams that simply want a great day. 60 minutes in an escape room, just play, without observation and without a report.
Not included: observation, analysis, report.
Performance Lab
Room price plus 39 € analysis per person
Our recommendation. For teams that want to know how they really work together. Everything from team building, plus structured observation by a specially briefed observer, the team report with recommendations and an individual profile for each team member within 48 hours, and the drinks package.
Analysis at least 149 € per room.
Performance Lab Pro
Room price plus 79 € per person
For teams that want to know in detail. Everything from the Performance Lab, plus an external coach observes by video call and reviews the analysis professionally. Drinks package included.
Analysis at least 299 € per room.
Fits the 110 € allowance for staff events
In Germany, up to 110 € per employee and event stays free of income tax and social security contributions, for up to two staff events a year. From 4 people per room, the Performance Lab costs 65 to 69 € per person in Hannover and Nienburg and 72 to 78 € in Leipzig (location's room price included), drinks package included. That leaves 41 to 45 € or 32 to 38 € for a meal together afterwards. So the session can usually be approved without a special budget.
Legal basis: section 19(1) sentence 1 no. 1a of the German Income Tax Act (EStG). All costs of the event count, including food and VAT, and the event must be open to all staff of the company or the department concerned. With only 2 people per room the price is above 110 € because of the minimum charge. This is not tax advice; if in doubt, check with your payroll team.
One level above that: the Executive Resilience Lab
For leadership teams that want to know in detail: goal clarification beforehand, self-image before and after the game, the comparison with how others see you, and a transfer workshop with an experienced management consultant. Modular pricing, you'll receive a quote in advance. To the Executive Resilience Lab
Choose a location
Where you'd like to play
The Performance Lab is available at all three locations, with the same method and the same report. Prices, rooms and the enquiry form are on the respective location website (in German).
Leipzig
Burgstraße 2
04109 Leipzig
Escape rooms and VR escape rooms under one roof, in the city centre by Thomaskirchhof.
Performance Lab LeipzigHannover
Goseriede 4 (Tiedthof)
30159 Hannover
Escape rooms and VR escape rooms in the Tiedthof, right in the city centre.
Performance Lab HannoverNienburg
Goetheplatz 2 (escape rooms)
Lange Straße 27 (VR)
31582 Nienburg
Our first location, since 2016. Two buildings in Nienburg's town centre.
Performance Lab NienburgMore than 25 people, or would you like to combine several locations? Email info@escapeuniverse.de and we'll suggest how to split the group.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How big can the team be?
2 to 6 people per escape room. Larger teams play in several rooms at the same time; observation and analysis then run per room team. Just put the number of people in your enquiry and we'll suggest how to split up.
What if someone doesn't want to be observed?
The observation covers the whole team, so it needs everyone's consent. Anyone who doesn't want to take part sits this session out. Alternatively, book the team building format, where you play entirely without observation.
Do participants notice that they're being observed?
Yes, the observation is transparent. All participants are informed in advance and give their consent. The observer watches via the cameras that run in our rooms anyway. Nothing is recorded and nothing extra is installed.
What happens to the data?
The data is pseudonymised and GDPR-compliant. Everyone wears a coloured wristband during the game, so the report only refers to Person 1, Person 2 and so on. The group photo with the wristbands, which would allow names to be matched, goes solely to the company that booked the session. For everyone else, the report cannot be linked to individuals. The AI analyses only the pseudonymised observation notes; nothing is recorded.
How long does the whole thing take?
Allow around 90 minutes: 60 minutes in the escape room plus briefing and debrief. You'll receive the report by email within 48 hours.
What's the difference between Performance Lab and Pro?
In the Performance Lab, a specially briefed member of our team observes, the AI drafts the report and a person checks it. Individual profiles for each team member (Person 1, Person 2 …) are included. In the Pro format, an external coach additionally observes via video call and reviews the report professionally.
Does the Performance Lab fit the 110 € allowance for staff events?
Usually, yes. In Germany the allowance is 110 € per employee and event, for up to two staff events a year (section 19(1) sentence 1 no. 1a of the Income Tax Act, EStG). With the room price, the Performance Lab costs from 65 € per person (Leipzig from 72 €), drinks package included. That leaves room for a meal together afterwards, and the session can usually be approved without much hassle. The Pro format sits just below or above that limit, depending on the location. All costs of the event count, including VAT, and the event must be open to the whole team or department. This is not tax advice; if in doubt, check with your payroll team.
Is it the same at all three locations?
Yes. Method, observation sheet, analysis and report are identical at all three locations. What differs are the rooms and the room price. Both are listed on the respective location website.
Can we do it in English?
All rooms can be played in English, though the odd German word may come up here and there. If your team doesn't speak German, mention it in your enquiry and we'll clarify in advance how the briefing and the report will work best for you.
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