Build-a-Room Competition: How the World Ended

Dear Builders, The apocalypse is coming to Escape Simulator 2, but how did it begin?

For our new Build-a-Room Competition, we are asking you to create an original escape room that serves as a prequel to the upcoming Escape Simulator 2: Apocalypse DLC. Escape Simulator 2 Apocalypse DLC A deadly virus? A rogue AI? An atomic bomb? A failed experiment? Aliens? Something much stranger?

The cause is entirely up to you.

The winning room will receive the main prize and become the official backstory of the Apocalypse DLC. We cannot wait to see how you decide the world ended.

📅 Important Dates

Competition begins: Well, now!

Submission deadline: September 1, 2026 at 08:59 AM CEST

🛠️ Room Requirements

Your entry must:

• be created in the Escape Simulator 2 Room Editor;

• be created specifically for this competition;

• be started from scratch;

• follow the How the World Ended theme;

• function as an escape room;

• be publicly available on the Steam Workshop;

• include a complete video walkthrough; and

• comply with the official competition rules and Steam Workshop rules.

Copies, remakes or substantial adaptations of existing rooms are not eligible. Rooms that infringes copyright, trademarks or other third-party rights are not acceptable.

You may fix genuine technical problems after the deadline, such as broken puzzles, soft locks or progression blockers. However, you may not add new puzzles, substantially redesign the room or add major new content after the deadline (at least until the winners are announced).

🏆 Prizes

1st Place

• USD 1,000

• 4× Escape Simulator 2: Apocalypse DLC keys

• The room becomes the official backstory of the Apocalypse DLC

2nd–5th Place

Each winner receives:

• USD 100 Steam Gift Card

• 2× Escape Simulator 2: Apocalypse DLC keys

📢 How to Submit

Post your entry in the following channel on the official Pine Studio Discord server:

#competition-submissions

Your submission must include a link to the publicly available Steam Workshop room.

The Steam Workshop page must include:

• a screenshot and/or thumbnail;

• a short description;

• a link to a complete video walkthrough;

• required credits for any third-party materials; and

• disclosure of any significant use of generative AI.

By submitting a room, you confirm that you agree to the official competition terms and conditions. Please read the full Official Rules before submitting:

• Official Rules – English: https://pinestudio.com/es_apocalypse_competition/

• Official Rules – Croatian: https://pinestudio.com/es_apocalypse_natjecaj/

📌 Judging

Entries will be reviewed by a judging panel consisting of at least five members of the Pine Studio team.

Each room will be evaluated in the following categories:

• Puzzle Design — 40 points

• Theme and Originality — 25 points

• Room Design and Atmosphere — 20 points

• Playability and Polish — 15 points

Popularity, Workshop ratings, download numbers, social-media reactions and public voting will not affect the final ranking.

Winners will be selected entirely according to the published judging criteria. There will be no random selection.

🧪 Builder Open Beta

We have also fixed and improved a number of things for room builders.

We did not have enough time to test these changes fully, so the new version is currently available as an open beta directly through Steam.

To access it:

1. Right-click Escape Simulator 2 in your Steam Library.

2. Select Properties.

3. Open the Betas tab.

4. Select the available open_beta branch.

We will accept competition rooms created using either the current public version or the open beta. Also, in this open beta we've added VR preview!

💡 Building Tips

• Aim for 15–30 minutes of playtime.

• Test thoroughly and ask for feedback.

• Focus on quality over quantity.

• Include accessibility options if possible.

• Most importantly, have fun.

🌴 Pine Studio Summer Break

For the next two weeks, most of the Pine Studio team will be taking a well-deserved summer break.

We will still be available for important questions related to the competition and the VR preview, so feel free to contact us through Discord or at community@pinestudio.com

After the break, we have a very busy few months ahead of us.

By the end of 2026, we are planning to release:

• the new Escape Simulator 2: Apocalypse DLC (go wishlist it now)

• a new DLC for Escape Simulator 1;

• a new free room;

• the free Escape Simulator 2 VR Update (now available as a preview)

Happy building, happy testing and good luck ending the world!

Pine team