Matt DuPlessie
Matt DuPlessie Media Archive
Select press coverage on Matt and related businesses
Partial listing, updates ongoing.
October 25 2025, The Philadelphia Inquirer
King of Prussia Mall is getting a real-life gaming venue with a bar-restaurant
Announcement of Level99 coming to the greater Philadelphia market.
October 23 2025, CBS News
Level99 expands into the Philadelphia market with the King of Prussia Location
Announcement of Level99 coming to the greater Philadelphia market.
September 22 2025, Northern Virginia Magazine
We Tried It: Level Up Your Friday-Night Fun at Level99
Local press review of Level99 at Tysons Corner, VA.
September 19 2025, QSR - Quick Service Restaurant
Panera Founder Ron Shaich Plows $50M into Eatertainment Brand Level99
"We are thrilled to have Act III reaffirm its commitment to Level99,” Matt DuPlessie, founder and CEO of Level99, said in a statement."
September 17 2025, Restaurant Business
"...this unique interactive-games-and-dining concept is plotting national expansion..."
September 9 2025, Axios Pro Rata
Announcement of Level99 raising $50M in growth equity from ACT III Holdings.
September 9 2025, Business Wire
Level99 Raises $50 Million in Growth Equity
Level99 press release announcing $50M follow-on investment from ACT III Holdings.
September 2 2025, Blooloop
Don't Hate the Player, Rethink the Game
An interesting analysis of competitive socializing venues, featuring Level99 and quoting Matt, who the author humorously describes as "a guy who can MacGuyer an escape room out of a stapler, a roll of duck tape, and a dare..."
August 27 2025, FOX 5 Washington DC
FOX Channel 5 Reporter Erin Como Checks out the Newly Opened Social Gaming Playground
First look at Level99 Tysons Corner, VA.
August 20 2025, FFX Now
Axe Dodging, Craft Brews Await at New Games and Dining Venue
Announcement of Level99 coming to Tysons Corner, VA.
August 19 2025, Northern Virginia Magazine
Level99 Will Open Its First DMV Location in Tysons
Announcement of Level99 coming to Tysons Corner, VA.
August 19 2025, The Worcester Business Journal
Level99 To Open First Location Outside New England
Announcement of Level99 coming to Tysons Corner, VA.
August 18 2025, CBS 42
"The groundbreaking new entertainment destination that’s redefining the landscape of entertainment for adults, is set to open..."
July 18 2025, Where We Buy Podcast, with James Cook
Inside Level99 with Founder & CEO Matt DuPlessie
A 48-minute podcast interview delving into the origins and design philosophy behind Level99.
May 19 2025, The Worcester Business Journal
Matt named to the 100 most influential professionals in Central Massachusetts for 2025.
February 7 2024, Providence Monthly
A Winning Mix of Gastronomy and Games at Level99 Providence
"Video game-style worlds meet social IRL problem solving with friends in each delightfully designed room..."
January 24 2024, Providence Business First
Private equity-backed Level99 opens Providence venue
"Adults looking for live-action, challenge-based entertainment, craft beverages, and farm-to-table dining are expected to flock to a massive new venue in Providence..."
January 17 2024, Providence Journal
A look at the 'adult playground' opening at Providence Place Mall
"One way to describe it would be as an adult playground. Others have described it as being in a “real-life video game” or a “wonderland for adults.”"
August 30 2023, The Boston Globe
"There is a hunger for this type of entertainment"
"Matt DuPlessie, the founder of Level99, has a solid claim to having created the first escape room in Boston in 2004..."
August 17 2023, The Washington Post
"By the time I realized the room was getting smaller, it was almost too late. The ceiling of the ancient tomb in which I found myself trapped was slowly collapsing in on itself..."
August 30 2021, The Wall Street Journal
Shopping Malls’ New Product: Fun
Laser Tunnel Photo credit: 5 Wits
June 16 2021, The Worcester Business Journal
Indoor game complex opens in Natick Mall, brings Night Shift Brewing to Central Mass
Announcement of Level99 opening in Natick.
June 14 2021, Natick Report
Natick Mall’s Level99 real-life gaming venue full of surprises
"...the Ninja Dojo room, which thrust us into what felt like an action movie in which a rotating series of bars had us jumping and ducking to avoid setting off sensors"
June 14 2021, Boston.com
Level99 opens in Natick with a taproom, beer hall, and interactive challenges
"At Level99, the floor is lava."
June 6 2021, The Boston Globe
A vast grown-up play space... is opening at the Natick Mall
"Level99 is what would happen if you held a MENSA meeting on an American Ninja Warrior course in what used to be a Sears store..."
June 22 2020, Natick Report
Night Shift Brewing, Level99 eye Natick Mall for ‘Willy Wonka meets Dungeons & Dragons’
"...Level99 borrows heavily from video game mechanisms that people love to play on smartphones and computers, and transfers it to the physical world."
October 20 2017, The Philadelphia Inquirer
5 Wits Debuts at Plymouth Meeting Mall to Offer Adventure Amid Shopping
"Computer-controlled special effects, elaborate theme rooms, and immersing participants in a video game or movie-like setting..."
August 17 2017, Theme Park University
5 Wits Entertainment Center Carves Out Unique Niche in Themed Entertainment
An explanation of 5 Wits' throughput model and game design features. "What's the next big thing in the world of themed entertainment?... Leading that charge is 5 Wits... Around well over a decade before the escape room craze... 100% automated. 100% genius..."
July 25 2016, Philly Voice
Players Become Action-Adventure Heroes in Three Games
"Escape a collapsing ceiling in an Egyptian tomb, a dragon lurking inside a medieval castle, or a laser maze..."
July 25 2016, Daily Voice
Players Control Outcome Of Their Adventure At 5 Wits In West Nyack
"If you ever wished that you could actually be a character in the video game..."
February 16 2016, lohud
"...Demanding puzzles, impressively high production values, and both mental and physical stimulation for guests looking to challenge themselves with hands-on adventures."
February 23 2014, The Syracuse Post Standard
Coverage of 5 Wits Syracuse opening. "Forget sitting on your couch and just playing a video game—the newest entertainment attraction at Destiny USA puts you inside one."
March 2 2013, The Boston Globe
"What is 5 Wits, exactly? Not a museum. Not a show. The interactive experience feels like being in a video game... it's incredibly cool..."
January 10 2013, The Providence Journal
"Walk Through Adventures... participants are not just passive observers, like someone wandering through a haunted house, but they control—or appear to control—the environment... bite-sized theme parks..."
September 7 2010, The Boston Globe
Spy vs. Spy, by Ethan Glisdorf
"With Espionage, Matt Duplessie continues his mission to bring gaming to life."
June 28 2010, The Boston Globe
"Tomb developer taking his walk-through puzzles from Fenway to Foxborough."
July 16 2009, Wired
"TOMB caught my eye. Described as a real-life version of a video game, TOMB requires you to solve hands-on puzzles as you make your way through a simulation of a pharoah's hidden resting place..."
October 19 2007, The Christian Science Monitor
At Some Mueums, You're Now Exhibit A
Discussion of Operation Spy at the International Spy Museum with "Matt DuPlessie, president of 5 Wits, Inc., the company behind Boston's Tomb, which redefined the immersive experience when it opened in 2004."
August 3 2007, The Washington Times
Announcement of Operation Spy. "Matthew DuPlessie, director and CEO of the company that designed and operates 'Tomb,' thinks immersive games, which 'allow people to be the hero, to be the main character in the movie,' represent the future of entertainment."
June 15 2006, The Boston Herald
"“A treat!... An adventure video game come to life—with you as the player… State of the art technology… continuing excitement!”"
April 21 2006, The Christian Science Monitor
At this Attraction, You're Not Just Along for the Ride
"The pioneer of an attraction so novel it doesn't even have a proper name... Tomb is right on the cutting edge..."
April 2 2006, The Boston Globe Magazine
"Matthew DuPlessie, 28, museum exhibit and theme park entreprenuer..."
December 2005, Fortune Small Business Magazine
"Dreamed up by Matthew DuPlessie, 28... Tomb combines a theme-park ride, haunted house, videogame, and live theater..."
August 21 2005, The New York Times
Fun if by Land and Fun if by Sea in Boston
"A 45-minute interactive adventure that's part Indiana Jones and part walk-through puzzle..."
February 2 2005, The Patriot Ledger
TOMB Raiders: Interactive Game Takes you on a Sensory Adventure
"Unlike any other entertainment… Fabulously detailed… You really feel like you're transported..."
February 1 2005, Chief Information Officer Magazine
The New Pocket-Sized Theme Park Concept
"Ever wanted to own your own theme-park attraction—not some Sim video game, but a real, walk-through interactive adventure with tricks, traps, and puzzles?"
September 22 2004, The Boston Herald
Tomb opens door to 'Indy'-style adventures
"Why sit at home and play a video game when you could be in one?"
September 22 2004, The Boston Globe
"TOMB, a first-of-its-kind interactive walk-through adventure... effects straight from Steven Spielberg"
Get In Touch
Matt is always looking for new adventures and collaborators. Drop an email, and make sure to spend a moment to fully explain who you are.