Escape the Cabin of the Cackling Man: Inside M.A.G.E.’s Creepy Puzzle Experience

If you think you’ve seen everything an anime and gaming convention can offer, think again—because at M.A.G.E. 2025, the terror isn’t on the screen, it’s in the room with you. “Escape the Cabin of the Cackling Man” isn’t just another con attraction—it’s a full-blown, horror-infused puzzle experience designed to test your brain, your teamwork, and maybe your ability to not scream when something goes bump in the dark.

Set during M.A.G.E.—the Minneapolis Anime and Gaming Event—this escape room brings a haunted, retro-gaming nightmare to life from October 31 through November 2, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis. It’s part of a weekend that blends anime, gaming, sci-fi, and fandom in one of the Midwest’s most welcoming convention spaces. The Hyatt’s 130,000+ square feet of event space transforms into a non-stop celebration of nerd culture, complete with concerts, cosplay, game tournaments, dances, panels, and late-night parties that go strong until 2 a.m.

But let’s start with the one place you might not want to be trapped after midnight: the Cabin of the Cackling Man.

The Premise: Retro Horror Meets Creepypasta Chaos

Picture this: You and a few other attendees “wake up” in a dusty, dimly lit cabin deep in the woods. There’s a half-rotten couch, static hissing from an ancient CRT TV, and what looks like a human skeleton gripping an old game controller. That’s the setup. Something terrible happened here years ago—and according to the legend, whatever cursed that cabin is about to wake again.

Your mission? Uncover the truth behind the “Cackling Man,” a ghostly figure tied to a mysterious, cursed video game that supposedly drives players mad. The escape room draws heavily from 80s horror, vintage gaming nostalgia, and those eerie internet stories—creepypastas—that always start with someone finding a weird cartridge at a yard sale. Think “Polybius” meets “Blair Witch,” with a splash of Silent Hill for good measure.

It’s designed to make your skin crawl without going overboard on jump scares. Expect flickering screens, unsettling audio clues, and puzzles that tie directly into the story’s twisted digital mythology. Every team has one hour to survive—solve the codes, uncover the ritual, and (hopefully) break the curse before midnight. Fail, and, well... let’s just say the Cackling Man gets another soul for his collection.

How It Works: Surviving the Cabin

Teams are made up of small groups, usually four to six people. You can sign up solo or with friends—either way, you’ll be paired with others who are ready to test their puzzle-solving skills. It’s part horror story, part mental marathon. You’ll need sharp eyes, logical thinking, good memory, and, most importantly, the ability to communicate under pressure.

The puzzles mix digital and physical elements—expect to handle old gaming hardware, decode eerie recordings, and even perform a ritual or two (don’t worry, no actual sacrifices). Each clue builds on the last, with red herrings and cryptic messages sprinkled in to throw you off the trail. The catch? Every mistake eats up precious time.

If you’re the “leader” type, focus on delegating—assign someone to track clues, another to handle locks or devices, and someone else to document codes or notes. You’d be surprised how fast sixty minutes vanishes when you’re staring down a creepy old computer that keeps typing “he’s behind you.”

The staff, trained in both escape room hosting and keeping you from actually crying, monitor your progress and drop hints through the environment when needed. You’ll hear the occasional cackle echo through the cabin—sometimes from the speakers, sometimes from somewhere much closer.

Tickets, Timing, and Accessibility

Tickets for the escape room can be purchased on-site at the M.A.G.E. registration area, but spots are limited, and time slots fill fast. It’s smart to book early—especially since the event runs deep into the night, and Halloween weekend makes it even more popular. Each session runs roughly an hour, with short breaks in between to reset the room.

Accessibility is a priority: the experience avoids heavy physical activity or strobe-heavy effects, and staff can accommodate participants with mobility or sensory needs. It’s spooky fun, not trauma therapy.

The Challenge Factor

So who should tackle this thing? Honestly, anyone who likes puzzles, teamwork, and a bit of adrenaline. Hardcore escape room enthusiasts will love the intricate puzzle design and atmospheric storytelling. Casual con-goers will enjoy the sheer weirdness of it all.

The real secret to success isn’t IQ—it’s teamwork. Talk constantly, share discoveries, and don’t get tunnel vision. The Cackling Man thrives on silence, confusion, and panic, so if your group dissolves into chaos, you’re done. Remember: it’s not about who’s the smartest—it’s about who can stay calm when the lights start flickering and the radio starts whispering your name.

Beyond the Cabin: M.A.G.E.’s Many Worlds

Of course, M.A.G.E. is way more than one haunted escape room. Over three packed days, the Hyatt Regency transforms into a playground for anime and gaming fans of every stripe. If the Cabin gives you chills, the rest of the convention will give you pure joy.

The Grand Costume Contest

This is where cosplay dreams come alive. The M.A.G.E. Costume Contest isn’t just a walk-on stage—it’s a full production. Categories range from Best Craftsmanship to Best Performance and, of course, the coveted Best in Show. You’ll see armor builds that took months, hand-sewn ballgowns, prop weapons taller than their creators, and skits that get standing ovations. Even if you’re not competing, it’s worth attending just to see what fans are capable of creating.

The Vendor Hall and Artist Alley

Bring your wallet—no, seriously. The Vendor Hall and Artist Alley are twin zones of temptation. The Dealers Room is where you’ll find rare imports, plushies, figurines, manga, and enough merch to overload your luggage. Artist Alley, on the other hand, is where you’ll meet indie creators selling prints, keychains, comics, and custom art. Many artists take commissions on the spot, so if you want your OC drawn in anime style or a stylized portrait of your favorite character, this is the place.

Room Parties

When the main events wind down, the fun doesn’t stop. Officially approved room parties let fans transform their Hyatt rooms into mini themed gatherings—think karaoke rooms, fandom lounges, or chill hangouts with snacks and trivia games. These are great for meeting new people in a low-stress, friendly setting. Just remember: if it’s not an approved party, it’s probably not sanctioned, and staff will shut it down faster than a power outage in a horror movie.

Musical Events and Late-Night Dances

Every night, M.A.G.E. pulses with sound. Concerts, nerdcore performances, and the main stage EDM dance party keep energy levels sky-high. Whether you’re into anime remixes or live bands, there’s always a reason to move. The Formal Fantasy Ball adds a different vibe—elegant, classy, and romantic, it’s the perfect excuse to dust off your fancy cosplay or formalwear.

Special Guests

Voice actors like Greg Ayres, Quinton Flynn, and Oscar Seung are just a few of the industry names who’ve graced the M.A.G.E. stage. Guests typically host Q&A sessions, autograph signings, and photo ops, so you can meet the voices behind your favorite characters. Some even host live panels or comedic improv events that double as entertainment and insight into the voice acting world.

Video Gaming Arena

This is a gamer’s paradise—an entire floor buzzing with consoles, PCs, fighting games, and tournament energy. From Smash Bros. to Tekken to obscure indie hits, the lineup changes throughout the weekend. Expect casual free-play stations, competitive brackets, and themed mini-events that reward everything from fastest speedruns to best costume coordination.

Tabletop Tavern

For those who prefer dice to joysticks, M.A.G.E. has an entire room dedicated to tabletop gaming. It’s a cozy hub filled with RPGs, collectible card games, and massive board games like Catan (sometimes life-sized). Whether you’re joining a spontaneous Dungeons & Dragons one-shot or learning a new card game from friendly strangers, it’s the chill, social heart of the convention.

The Maid Café

AnimeCon.org’s Royale Maid Café brings a little slice of Akihabara to Minneapolis. You’ll be served snacks, played games with, and doted on by charming maids and butlers who stay completely in character. It’s playful, lighthearted fun—a mix of performance art and cozy hospitality. Tickets for this experience are sold on-site, and they go fast.

Curiosity Unleashed: The Wild World of M.A.G.E.’s Fan-Run Panels

If the Exhibit Hall is M.A.G.E.’s heartbeat, then the fan-run panels are its brain—constantly buzzing, unpredictable, and occasionally a little chaotic (in the best way). These sessions are where attendees stop being just fans and start being voices, storytellers, and teachers in their own right. Anyone with a spark of an idea and the courage to grab a mic can run a panel, which means the lineup is as varied and fascinating as the people who attend.

Sure, you’ll find your usual anime debates, cosplay tips, and deep dives into gaming lore—but wander a little further, and things get really interesting. You might find someone explaining how to make your first indie game from concept to controller. Down the hall, another fan could be walking a curious crowd through digital marketing basics for artists trying to grow an online following.

Panels like these have a way of branching far beyond fandom. One might cover AI technology and its creative potential, while another offers a surprisingly practical session on business insurance basics for freelancers and convention vendors. You could sit in on a relaxed chat about baking tips for those who want to master cookies as easily as they master combos in fighting games.

And because M.A.G.E. has no shortage of dreamers, some panels take a wonderfully offbeat turn. You might stumble into a cozy discussion on balcony gardening—yes, plants at a convention—or an aesthetic-focused walkthrough on designing a minimalist bedroom that still feels like home. Another host might share travel advice on tourist scams to avoid when visiting Japan, all delivered with the kind of hard-earned wisdom you only get from lived experience.

Of course, creativity always sneaks back in. One panel could show you how to make cocktails inspired by your favorite anime, complete with punny names and dubious taste tests. Another might delve into using virtual reality in classrooms, exploring how education and gaming can actually be best friends. You might even find someone teaching basic Chinese for travelers, complete with pronunciation bloopers and a few cultural tips tossed in for good measure.

Not every session is about learning something new—some are about thinking differently. A host might lead a thoughtful talk about men’s rights and representation in media, or a self-care session on meditation and mental balance during convention chaos. You might even hear a speaker break down the realities of selling event tickets or managing fan-run projects without losing your sanity.

That’s the beauty of M.A.G.E.’s fan-run panels: they’re not boxed in by genre, format, or expectation. They could be funny, heartfelt, intellectual, or just plain weird—but every one of them carries that spark of authenticity that makes conventions feel alive.

You never know what room you’ll walk into or what idea will stick with you long after the weekend ends. Maybe you’ll leave with a new skill, a new friend, or just a wild story to tell. But that’s exactly what M.A.G.E. does best—it gives fans the stage, hands them the mic, and says, “Go ahead, show us what makes you curious.”

Tickets and Badges

Getting into M.A.G.E. is refreshingly simple—and if you plan ahead, cheap. Early ticket registration guarantees your admission and saves you a few bucks, which means more left over for merch.

• Weekend Badge: $40 regular — full three-day access.
• Day Badge: $30 for single-day access ($15 for Sunday).
• Platinum/VIP Badge: $150 — includes VIP perks and exclusive access.

Registering early isn’t just smart—it helps the organizers plan for more guests, events, and fan content. Plus, with how quickly things sell out (especially the Hyatt rooms at $135 per night), waiting until the last minute is basically inviting chaos into your weekend.

Staying Alive, Awake, and a Little Bit Sane at M.A.G.E.

If this is your first convention—or even your tenth—M.A.G.E. can feel overwhelming in the best way. A few simple strategies will keep you sane and happy all weekend:

Book early. The Hyatt Regency fills up fast, and staying onsite means you’re steps away from every event, even the ones running until 2 a.m.

Hydrate and eat. Between gaming sessions, panels, and photos, you’ll forget basic needs. Luckily, the ConSweet has free ramen, rice, and soda—yes, free—so take advantage.

Budget wisely. The Dealer Hall is a black hole for paychecks. Set a limit before you walk in, or risk explaining to your bank why you suddenly own twelve plushies and a replica sword.

Plan—but don’t overplan. The schedule is packed, but leave room for spontaneity. Some of the best moments come from wandering into a random panel or joining an impromptu game.

Take breaks. Find quiet corners or lounges between events.

Be kind. The community vibe is what makes M.A.G.E. special. Compliment cosplayers, thank volunteers, and remember everyone’s here to have fun.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

M.A.G.E. is a whole ecosystem of fandom. Whether you’re dancing at the EDM party, strategizing over a D&D campaign, or deciphering haunted puzzles in the Cabin of the Cackling Man, you’ll be surrounded by people who share your passions.

So mark your calendar—October 31 to November 2, 2025—and start planning your weekend. Because at M.A.G.E., whether you’re chasing clues, dancing till 2 a.m., or just hanging out with your new con friends, you’re guaranteed one thing: you’ll never be bored.

And who knows? You might even escape the Cackling Man… this time.