Some sort of escape room backbone software that links together all of the hardware according to a script is such a neat idea. It would be so cool to have something like Twine [0] to build out the story graphically, where input/output is via cues to staff/hardware rather than just text on screen. An old boss of mine used to run home-haunts for halloween. (a walk-through haunted house experience scaffolded-up in his yard) I helped him a few times, and I was always amazed by how big of a community there was. There were at least 5-6 people doing a haunt next week and would come help out at his, then he would help at their haunt the next week. My boss was even making a magazine for the community for a while. Something for those folks doing quick popup theatrical events/escape rooms that could handle some "duct tape engineering" would totally have an interested market, and if it was open source you'd get great patches.

BUT I also get what you mean, have find out what works first. Do you have a blog for your escape room progress? That sounds like such a cool thing to follow you making!

[0] (https://twinery.org/)

Have you ever visited a Boda Borg? They’re not quite escape rooms; generally, the experiences are fast-paced. Some are puzzles; some physical challenges; some, an interesting mix. Lots of computer automation to make it all work.