Matt DuPlessie
Matt DuPlessie Media Archive
Select press coverage on Matt and related businesses
Partial listing, updates ongoing.
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
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 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..."
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."
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..."
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..."
Get In Touch
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