We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mike Gerbrandt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mike below.
Hi Mike, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Understandably, so many people are risk averse. But I’ve always loved risk because I believe it reveals more about ourselves and the world we live in. We all function somewhere on a spectrum between complete order and complete chaos and I like to lean over to the latter. This plays into our games designs and while our players may experience some confusion and bewilderment and certain points in the game, the gratification is that much sweeter when something is solved or utilized. It’s so fun to watch. While it’s not unequivocally true, I really enjoy a one definition I once heard…”chaos is order, yet undeciphered.”
Mike, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In 2013, I came across a documentary called “The Institute” about a citywide alternate reality experience that was organized by an elusive genius in San Francisco between 2008 and 2011. Intrigued and inspired, my wheels started turning; the following year I was commissioned to write 3 experiences for an escape room start-up and this really got me revved up! From there, I got to work on designing games and building the infrastructure for Surreal Escape Games and in January 2016 we held our first beta test group games at the Santa Anita Mall in Arcadia.
“While you’re not escaping from any room, it certainly is ‘escapism.’ Mike elaborates, “So many people are simply bored and inundated with the busy routines of life which sadly includes staring at screens most of their day. Surreal provides a unique social outlet for us to just play and unleash our God-given craving to explore and wonder.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I would say to non-creatives, you need us – and we need you! Undoubtedly, there is at least one if not several creatives in your sphere that could add value to what you are doing. And transversely, they may need your guidance, focus and ability to plan. Let’s work!
How did you build your audience on social media?
Funny thing is we barely use social media. While this sounds fully insane to many right now, we are forward thinking in the digital marketing realm because social media (at least in its current form) is already beginning a delightful decline. My advice to any starting any kind of social media “presence” would be, prioritize authenticity and meaningful connections with real fans of what you do. 
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