Escape Extinction: Sharks

Escape Extinction: Sharks

New Orleans, LA

A high-throughput immersive experience at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas that blends escape room mechanics with environmental education.

Project Specs

Client

Audubon Nature Institute

Project Type

Immersive Attraction

Role

Design, Build, Operate

Year

2019

The Brief

Project Logo
Launch Site open_in_new
Size 4,000 sq ft
Throughput 48 guests per hour
Budget $1.5m

“The mission is simple: save the sharks. The journey? An advanced research vessel, a secret agency, and a race against time.”

Developed in official partnership with the Audubon Nature Institute, Escape Extinction: Sharks was a premier immersive attraction located in the heart of the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Guests joined the Human Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T.) and boarded the SS Audubon—a highly detailed submarine research vessel—to protect the ocean’s most misunderstood predators.

By blending the adrenaline of an escape room with 5 Wits-style amusement gameplay, the experience offered a variable difficulty level that engaged families, educators, and adrenaline-seekers alike. From the rustic docks of Port de la Porte to the high-tech interior of the submarine, every set piece was designed to immerse guests in a playful world with a serious conservation message.

  • Accessible Immersion: A custom “railroad” throughput system allowed for a high-capacity experience without sacrificing narrative depth, accommodating up to 48 guests per hour.
  • Authentic Production: Praised by critics for its “naval architecture” and cinematic scenic design, the attraction featured diverse environments that expanded and contracted to bring the story to life.
  • Educational Agency: By transforming conservation data into interactive puzzles and tangible challenges, the project empowered guests to learn about shark protection through direct action rather than passive observation.

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