{"id":113252,"date":"2022-10-25T10:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/?p=113252"},"modified":"2025-04-09T16:45:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T20:45:55","slug":"repod-s4e4-holistic-game-design-alexander-gierholz-creator-of-amsterdam-catacombs-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2022\/10\/25\/repod-s4e4-holistic-game-design-alexander-gierholz-creator-of-amsterdam-catacombs-netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"REPOD S4E4 &#8211; Holistic Game Design: Alexander Gierholz, creator of Amsterdam Catacombs, Netherlands"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe title=\"S4E4 \u2013 Holistic Game Design: Alexander Gierholz, creator of Amsterdam Catacombs, Netherlands\" allowtransparency=\"true\" height=\"150\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);\" scrolling=\"no\" data-name=\"pb-iframe-player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/player-v2\/?i=k5qg6-12f7549-pb&#038;from=pb6admin&#038;share=1&#038;download=1&#038;rtl=0&#038;fonts=Tahoma&#038;skin=1b1b1b&#038;font-color=auto&#038;logo_link=episode_page&#038;btn-skin=60a0c8\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/muylEl6svZE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In Season 4, Episode 4, we head over to The Netherlands for a chat with Alexander Gierholz of Logic Locks, creator of The Amsterdam Catacombs, which has won numerous accolades including a Golden Lock Award and a TERPECA. In a country rich with globally top-rated escape rooms, <em>The Catacombs<\/em> stands out for its commitment to immersion, stunning location and incredible ending. The Netherlands has a vibrant escape room scene, due in part to Alexander&#8217;s efforts with events like Up The Game, a global escape room conference he co-founded in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" data-attachment-id=\"113765\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/s4e4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1100,628\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"S4E4 landscape alexander gierholz netherlands\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands-1024x585.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-113765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands-768x438.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands-685x391.jpg 685w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/S4E4-landscape-alexander-gierholz-netherlands.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Coming from a psychology background, and having taught experience design and gamification, Alexander approaches game design with a unique holistic philosophy. He thinks deeply about creating experiences that pull from different disciplines which resonate with the audience in a meaningful way. This conversation about escape rooms, gameplay, and creating a community changed the way I think about game design, and I know you&#8217;ll find it as fascinating as we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"thank-you-to-our-sponsors\">Thank You to Our Sponsors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: Morty App, World Escape Room Championship (ER Champ), and Buzzshot. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"mortyapp.com\/repod\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"758\" data-attachment-id=\"103024\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/asset-264x\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x.png\" data-orig-size=\"1174,869\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Asset 26@4x\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x-1024x758.png\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x-1024x758.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x-1024x758.png 1024w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x-768x568.png 768w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x-685x507.png 685w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-26@4x.png 1174w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"morty-app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mortyapp.com\/repod\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Morty<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Morty is a free app for discovering, planning, tracking, and reviewing your escape rooms and other immersive social outings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Special Badge for REPOD listeners:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can learn more at <a href=\"http:\/\/MortyApp.com\/REPOD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MortyApp.com\/REPOD<\/a> to sign up and get a special badge for our listeners (works for existing users also). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erchamp.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"876\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"112954\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/er_logo_2022\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022.png\" data-orig-size=\"6107,7135\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"ER_logo_2022\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-876x1024.png\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-876x1024.png\" alt=\"Logo for the Escape Room Championship. white trophy with a red star over it against the background of a blue shield. there is a grey padlock outlined in red at the bottom\" class=\"wp-image-112954\" style=\"width:178px;height:207px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-876x1024.png 876w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-257x300.png 257w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-768x897.png 768w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-1315x1536.png 1315w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-1753x2048.png 1753w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-1200x1402.png 1200w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-685x800.png 685w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ER_logo_2022-2000x2337.png 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"morty-app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erchamp.com\/en?_canonical=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World Escape Room Championship (ER Champ)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ER Champ is a global competition for escape room players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Details:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Held virtually this year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free Entry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elimination round on November 5, 2022<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each member of the winning team will receive a Nintendo Switch Lite<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buzzshot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"341\" data-attachment-id=\"112962\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/buzzshot-logo\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"663,341\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"buzzshot logo\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Buzzshot logo featuring a rounded square with a white &quot;Z&quot; surrounded by stylized z shaped graphics\" class=\"wp-image-112962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg 663w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo-300x154.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"morty-app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buzzshot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/buzzshot.com\/repod\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buzzshot<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Buzzshot is \u2018Customer Satisfaction Software\u2019 for your escape room business. Streamline your marketing and grow your escape room business with pregame and postgame features including robust waiver management, branded team photos, and integrated review management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Special Discount for REPOD listeners:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use our link when booking a demo for 20% off your first three months. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"topics-discussed-in-this-episode\">Topics Discussed in this Episode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>David tells us that the postcard Alexander sent to Room Escape Artist was the inspiration for our mailbag episodes. [2:15]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander gives us a brief walkthrough of his immersive escape room, <em>The Amsterdam Catacombs<\/em>. [3:26]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander tells us a bit about how he was able to build a demonic-themed horror escape room under an old church. [4:55]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>David notes that in Europe, in general, many of their historic buildings are used for retail and other commercial uses. [7:05]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peih-Gee talks about how many of the escape rooms she played in Amsterdam were located in beautiful historic locations, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sherlocked.nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sherlocked<\/a>, which is located in a historic stock exchange building, and <a href=\"https:\/\/rockcityescape.nl\/en\/home-eng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rock City Escape<\/a>, which is located in an old monastery. [7:41]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander tells us about how he started Logic Locks when an ex-girlfriend&#8217;s father let them plunder his attic full of curiosities. [8:19]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We discuss <em><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2017\/06\/12\/logic-locks-elizas-heart-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Secret of Eliza&#8217;s Heart<\/a>,<\/em> the first game that Alexander built, and he tells us that having unique props is great, but a bad idea when they need to be replaced. [9:29]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander talks about his journey in the escape room industry going from his first escape room to building <em>The Amsterdam Catacombs<\/em>, including building a 15 minute traveling freak show-themed escape room experience and producing Up the Game, an escape room convention. [10:46]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-attachment-id=\"113764\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1182,787\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;PEIH GEE Law&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1666287129&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"logic locks freakshow bearded lady\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady-1024x682.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Woman dressed as a bearded lady in a wine color corset dress holding a fan, standing in front of a trailer that says &quot;freakshow&quot; on it\" class=\"wp-image-113764\" style=\"width:490px;height:326px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady-685x456.jpg 685w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady-342x228.jpg 342w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/logic-locks-freakshow-bearded-lady.jpg 1182w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alexander talks about why they chose a horror theme for <em>The Amsterdam Catacombs<\/em>. [12:13]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander tells us about the live actor in the <em>The Amsterdam Catacombs<\/em> and why the character evolved over time from a nun to an academic. [12:40]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander talks about his background as a psychologist. [14:37]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander talks about <a href=\"https:\/\/upthegame.nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Up The Game<\/a>, an escape room conference that he cofounded and for which served as program manager. [17:43]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander tells us that there wasn&#8217;t much of an industry for immersive events in Europe back then and talks about some of the issues with trying to get the escape room industry off the ground. [20:02]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>David talks about the first time <a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2018\/05\/17\/up-game-2018-7-thoughts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">he and Lisa spoke at Up the Game<\/a> and the care that Alexander put into making sure their talk was good. [20:42]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peih-Gee mentions that the premise of bringing creators of all different kinds of immersive experiences on Reality Escape Pod is inspired, in part, by Up the Game. [23:26]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander talks about <em><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2018\/07\/06\/real-life-gaming-prison-escape-exclusive-english-edition-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prison Escape,<\/a> <\/em>by Real Life Gaming, and how Up the Game was held in a former prison. Prison Escape is a massive and intense roleplaying game with 80 actors and a gigantic cast of players. [24:32]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander tells us that Prison Escape is held in a decommissioned prison and why prison locations in Amsterdam are available for commercial enterprise. [25:44]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander taught gamification for two years, and he discusses some of the controversies inherent in gamification. [26:29]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peih-Gee mentions some gamified apps she uses, and Alexander talks about gamifying in a way that helps connect with the actual activity instead of just distracting from a chore. [28:31]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander, Peih-Gee, and David discuss experiencing moments of &#8220;escapism dissonance&#8221; in their lives. [30:02]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander talks about how escape rooms can inspire more magic and curiosity about the real world. [32:14]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander talks about some of his favorite experiences, including <em><a href=\"https:\/\/downthehatch.nl\/en\/about-molly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Molly&#8217;s Game<\/a> <\/em>by Down the Hatch Escapes, and <em>I Can Hear You<\/em> and <em>Demise of the Gricers<\/em> (gricers are railway enthusiasts) by<a href=\"https:\/\/entered.be\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Entered<\/a> in Belgium. (He also wants to recommend Illusionist by <a href=\"https:\/\/epicescape.nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Epic Escape<\/a>.)[35:41]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander talks about a possible collaboration with Marriot Hotels to create an immersive experience. [38:17]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alexander shares a story about a treasure hunt that went awry. [43:35]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" data-attachment-id=\"91709\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/reality-escape-pod_round-web\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web.png\" data-orig-size=\"600,600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"reality-escape-pod_round-web\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web.png\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web.png\" alt=\"Reality Escape Pod mission patch logo depicts a spaceship puncturing through the walls of reality.\" class=\"wp-image-91709\" style=\"width:378px;height:378px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web.png 600w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reality-escape-pod_round-web-100x100.png?crop=1 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leave us a voicemail<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Got a question or thought for the podcast? You can submit a voice recording by calling the Room Escape Artist not-so-hotline that always goes straight to voicemail (551-227-7273).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"resources-mentioned-in-this-episode\">Resources Mentioned in this Episode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.logiclocks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Logic Locks Escape Room<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logic Locks REA reviews\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2018\/06\/24\/logic-locks-catacombs-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Amsterdam Catacombs<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2020\/12\/15\/logic-locks-amsterdam-catacombs-online-hivemind-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Amsterdam Catacombs Online<\/a><\/em> [Hivemind Review]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2017\/06\/12\/logic-locks-elizas-heart-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Secret of Eliza&#8217;s Heart<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2020\/06\/25\/logic-locks-elizas-heart-hivemind-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Secrets of Eliza\u2019s Heart<\/a> <\/em>[Hivemind Review]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2017\/12\/24\/amsterdam-the-netherlands-room-escape-recommendations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">REA Amsterdam escape room guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2022\/07\/28\/marriott-ted-curiosity-room-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">REA Review of the Marriott x TED experience, The Curiosity Room<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LogicLocks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook Logic Locks<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/logiclocks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram @logiclocks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Alexander Gierholz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"492\" height=\"495\" data-attachment-id=\"113758\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/headshot-alexander-gierholz\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"492,495\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"headshot &amp;#8211; Alexander Gierholz\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz.jpg\" alt=\"Man with pink hair and a brown goatee wearing a black turtleneck with a patterned jacket posing with one arm raised\" class=\"wp-image-113758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz.jpg 492w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz-200x200.jpg?crop=1 200w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/headshot-Alexander-Gierholz-100x100.jpg?crop=1 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After working in a wide range of jobs, Alexander graduated with a Research Master in Social Psychology before he co-founded Logic Locks. He has been teaching Experience Design and the Science of Wellbeing, and he has been the creative lead in many Game &amp; Experience Design Projects either within Logic Locks or for external clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Email: Alexander@logiclocks.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.logiclocks.com\/\">Logic Locks Escape Room<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/alexanderfly4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Personal Instagram @alexanderfly4<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/human.fly.10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"support-repod\">Support REPOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/patreon.com\/roomescapeartist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Subscribe to Patreon for bonus content<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/PerplexorsPuzzles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Perplexor\u2019s Puzzles<\/a>&nbsp;and REPOD by using our affiliate code \u201cREPOD\u201d for 10% off purchases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please rate and review our podcast!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for listening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support Room Escape Artist&#8217;s Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are lots of ways to support Room Escape Artist, like buying from <a aria-label=\"Amazon (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/roomescapeart\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=6220&amp;awinaffid=651019&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Etsy<\/a> after clicking into the links included in this post or backing us on <a aria-label=\"Patreon (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/roomescapeartist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Patreon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The money that we make from these helps us to grow the site and continue to add more value to the community that we love so much. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":113765,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[38041,586398112,586398298],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-113252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-amsterdam","category-logic-locks","category-reality-escape-pod"],"acf":[],"is_reblog":null,"post_id":null,"blog_id":null,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"586398298","yoast-structured-data-blocks-images-cache":null,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":null,"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":null,"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"60","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"REPOD goes to The Netherlands for a chat with Alexander Gierholz of Logic Locks, creator of The Amsterdam Catacombs.","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"7","_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>REPOD S4E4 - Holistic Game Design: Alexander Gierholz, creator of Amsterdam Catacombs, Netherlands - Room Escape Artist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"REPOD goes to The Netherlands for a chat with Alexander Gierholz of Logic Locks, creator of The Amsterdam Catacombs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2022\/10\/25\/repod-s4e4-holistic-game-design-alexander-gierholz-creator-of-amsterdam-catacombs-netherlands\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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