This year’s Game On Conference in Canterbury brought the escape room and immersive experience community together for two packed days of thought-provoking talks, hands-on workshops and unforgettable moments.

Day 1: Big Questions and Bold Experiences

The conference kicked off bright and early with the exhibitor floor opening. As we explored new tech, design tools, and experience innovations.

The Keynote Talk: “Future-Proof Escape Room Businesses” laid the foundation for the conference. It was an honest, forward-thinking discussion on how escape room operators must adapt and evolve, or risk being left behind.

A standout moment came with the talk “I Hate the Words Escape Room,’’ the industry is more than locked doors and ticking clocks, so why put in place limitations with language.

The rest of the day featured a mix of interactive workshops, networking on the exhibitor floor and a talk titled “The Journey of Becoming an ER Industry Supplier,” which gave valuable insight into the support systems behind the scenes of our favourite experiences.

Later on, we dove into “Time Crimes,” an immersive experience that had all the ‘experts’ working together to decode the uncrackable. 

We wrapped up with the Networking Night over drinks, puzzle debates and shared laughs, we connected with creatives from across the globe.

Day 2: Immersion, Innovation, and Industry Insights

We began with something completely different, “Glitch Hunters,” an outdoor escape game experience that had us chasing clues and anomalies around the stunning city of Canterbury and to make it even better, the sun was shining all morning. A beautiful blend of urban exploration and narrative design, it set the tone for an energizing second day.

The most anticipated session of the conference was the panel discussion, “The Future of Immersive.” Featuring leaders from escape rooms, immersive theatre and game design, it painted a vivid picture of where this genre is headed and the challenges escape room owners will face along the way.

The afternoon featured more interactive workshops, followed by two powerhouse talks:

•  “Think Big, Act Together” a rallying cry for industry collaboration.
•  “Big Brand Immersive and Its Effects on ERs” an honest exploration of how corporate players entering the immersive space could reshape expectations, budgets, and creativity.

Finally, the event wrapped with “Closing Thoughts,” a heartfelt and hopeful send-off that left us inspired, energized, and ready to push the boundaries of immersive design.

Final Thoughts from the No Spoilers Team

This year’s Game On wasn’t just a conference, it was a community.

We left Canterbury with fresh ideas, new partnerships and a deeper appreciation for the creativity driving this industry forward … Until next year.