After the Initial Hype: Why Connection Is Key to the Future of the Escape Room Industry

From April 29–30, 2025, the picturesque town of Canterbury, England became the center of the escape room world. Nearly 100 creators and owners from 18 countries gathered at Game On—a conference fully dedicated to the field of real-life gaming.

The event was organized by Zoltan Papp and his team at Zolitopia, and was designed specifically for professionals in the escape room industry. With carefully curated talks, hands-on workshops, and fantastic networking opportunities, the conference offered more than just insights—it brought new momentum.

At Enigmarium, we were proud to contribute. Our Creative Director, Nataša Potočnik, took the stage alongside Bartosz Idzikowski (Lock.me, ER Champ) to share a message that feels more relevant than ever:

Now that the initial escape room hype has faded, collaboration is no longer optional—it’s essential.
And yes, both experience and data prove it.

🧩 What Experience Has Taught Us

In regions where escape room owners collaborate beyond competition—through shared platforms, associations, and common standards—the industry doesn’t just survive, it thrives.

These connected ecosystems are:

  • More resilient during crises
  • More sustainable in pricing and innovation
  • And more recognized internationally

Slovenia was among the first to formalize such cooperation through GIZ ER, the national escape room association. That unity became a powerful force—shaping public perception, influencing policy, and supporting the industry when it needed it most.

And there’s more. Other forms of “glue” help bind the global community:
🧩 platforms  connecting owners, players, and the media like Lock.me
🧩 ER Champ, the world escape room championship that builds pride, visibility, and cross-border cooperation
(Read more about ER Champ in our separate post – and don’t miss the online qualifications, open to everyone and happening on Saturday, June 28 at 18:00 CET / 16:00 UTC!)

The key takeaway?
The best escape rooms aren’t just well-designed—they’re well-connected.

⚡ Game On, Indeed

The Game On conference truly lived up to its name. It delivered:

  • Practical content for escape room owners—both large and small
  • In-depth discussions on marketing, design, and the future of the industry
  • And most importantly—a powerful sense of community and shared purpose

As Zoltan Papp beautifully put it:

“Seeing so many people share a passion for our industry, learning together, and discussing how to move forward—that’s what made this conference truly special.”

From casual chats to strategy-focused sessions, the atmosphere in Canterbury reminded us: we’re stronger together—not just locally, but globally.

💡 What’s Next?

Want to stay connected to this movement?
📰 Subscribe to Zolitopia’s newsletter and don’t miss the next gathering!

We believe the next wave of escape room innovation will grow from shared knowledge, mutual support, and collective creativity.

👋 INVITATION

Curious about what the future holds for the escape room industry? Wondering how to participate in ER Champ 2025? Then don’t miss our special Open House evening hosted by Nataša at Enigmarium™, Trdinova 4, Ljubljana, this Thursday, June 19 at 19:00!

  • 🎯 Get all the details about the world championship ER CHAMP and how to join
  • 💬 Discuss key takeaways from the GAME ON conference in London
  • 🧠 Join a fun escape room pub quiz — the winning team gets to beta test brand-new game Redeem the Witch at Ljubljana castle!

🎟️ Admission is free, but space is limited to 30 guests.
📩 Reserve your spot at: info@enigmarium.si

We can’t wait to see you there!

#GameOn25 #Enigmarium #EscapeRoom #Collaboration #Lockme #ERChamp #GIZER #ExtraordinaryExperiences #RealLifeGaming