We are Hooked
Let us introduce ourselves
Hooked was founded by a team of passionate and experienced creators with a deep love for compelling stories and innovative design. With years of experience in designing and developing escape rooms and other immersive experiences, we are determined to deliver unrivalled quality and push the boundaries of what escape rooms can be.
Our game designer, Jana Erbes, is renowned within the international escape room community for her innovative and highly acclaimed work. She has designed internationally recognised rooms, produced award-winning documentaries about the industry, and shares her expertise as a speaker at major conventions such as RECON, the world’s largest escape room convention.
Max Zarfl has worked for Germany’s largest escape room franchises for many years and has become an expert in the fields of digital media, product development and business strategy.
Marc Welings brings with him years of experience as a performer in leading horror productions in the Netherlands, including Stay in the Dark — one of the most acclaimed immersive experiences in the Benelux. His background as an actor and his experience in people-centered care add a unique depth to our projects and help to enhance the player experience.
Hooked is more than just escape rooms. It is an ambitious concept that combines interconnected games, compelling stories and innovative elements. Every detail is designed with a focus on immersion, quality and a passion for creating something unique. With our extensive experience, creative vision and unwavering commitment to excellence, Hooked aims to set a new standard in the escape room industry.
The founding team
Creative Director
Jana Erbes
For Jana, escape rooms have always been more than games. The are a way to tell stories you can step into. With a background in film, theatre, and game design, she creates horror experiences that feel personal, emotional and cinematic.
Head of Operations
Marc Welings
Marc lives for the moment when a game becomes real for player. As an actor in one the Netherlands' leading horror experiences, he knows exactly how to pull people into a story and make them feel it.
Managing Director
Max Zarfl
Max is the one making sure ideas don't just stay ideas. With a background in startups, digital media, and web-development, he builds the structure behind Hooked, turning creative vision into something real and sustainable.
External Partners
At Hooked, we believe the experience industry grows strongest when we grow together. Collaboration over competition; that is our philosophy. A rising average quality benefits every operator, every player, and the industry as a whole. We also believe in giving credit where it is due. So we are proud to introduce the partners who help us bring our experiences to life.
Set & Atmosphere Designers
Art Team Berlin
The Art Team Berlin are the people who turn imagination into physical worlds. With years of experience building award-winning escape rooms across Europe, they know how to create spaces that don't just look real, but also feel real and exciting.
Technical Partner
Marco Uzelino
Marco has a passion for horror and immersive storytelling. With a professional background in technical engineering he specializes in programming and advanced escape room technology. He is driven by the magic behind the scenes, that transforms an experience into something truly unforgettable.
Experience- & Technical Design
Yves Kortleven
For Yves escape rooms are about creating moments of wonder that break from everyday moments. With a background in motion engineering he bringt ideas to live through seamless technical design, always keeping technology subtle, so the experience can take center stage.
Industry Network
Over the years we have built relationships with designers, operators, technicians, and creatives across the industry. We are proud to be part of a community that shares our belief in quality and collaboration. If you are one of those people — or want to be — we would love to hear from you.
And if you have a project that needs the right hands, we are available to hire. Whether that is concept development, design, video, or anything in between, take a look at what we offer and let's build something worth talking about together.
Our B2b Services