“A delightful dream world”

Imagine walking up to the lobby of an escape room, only to be confronted by an enormous semi-truck that has smashed through one of the walls. Maybe you’re climbing up a massive, sprawling tree and ducking into the treehouse of your childhood dreams. 

Local favorite Confusion Escapes engineer all their games to maximize fun, which made a lot of sense once we discovered that owner Al Delcome has a background in mechanical engineering. His wife and business partner Stacy Delcome is the one responsible for the gorgeous set decor. The duo honed their talents on haunts. They created incredibly elaborate home haunts, complete with stunt work and elevator simulators. 

One of the things I appreciated most after our conversation was their emphasis on safety. Al and Stacy are meticulous in their build approach. They ensure that every build is structurally sound and that every surface is finely sanded to prevent splinters and snags. It’s always a pleasure to chat with owners who are passionate and ambitious in their creations.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: Morty App, Buzzshot, and COGS. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• 00:00 Welcome to the Reality Escape Pod!
• 00:12 Sponsor Break: COGS by Clockwork Dog, Interactive Show Controls
• 02:30 The Story Behind the Semi Truck in the Lobby
• 04:45 From Playing Their First Escape Room to Opening Their Own
• 06:00 Origin Story: Home Haunts

• 06:58 Partners in Marriage and Escape Rooms
• 07:33 Background in Mechanical Engineering
• 10:30 Enhancing Escape Room Safety
• 13:03 Creating Elaborate Home Haunts
• 15:45 Sponsor Break: Morty App, Discover and Track Escape Rooms
• 17:11 Pros and Cons of Location
• 18:50 Designing Diverse Escape Room Experiences
• 21:09 Adjusting Horror Levels for Player Comfort
• 23:27 Reflecting on Unique Mechanics in 45 Lampkin Lane
• 24:01 Inspirations and Collaborations in Escape Room Design
• 27:05 Sponsor Break: Buzzshot, Escape Room Marketing Software
• 28:50 What Makes for a Great Escape Room Experience
• 33:33 Collaborating on Breaking Point Escape Rooms
• 37:25 Introducing the Quirky Concept of Karby’s
• 40:53 Connecting with Confusion Escapes
• 45:48: Bonus Story: Thanks, Dad.

Leave us a voicemail

Got a question or thought for the podcast? You can submit a voice recording by calling the Room Escape Artist not-so-hotline that always goes straight to voicemail (551-227-7273).

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Confusion Escapes Website
• REA Reviews:
  • The Last Job
  • The Tree House
  • 45 Lampkin Lane
• REA Reviews of Breaking Point:
  • Patient 17
  • The Secret at Whitmore Estate
  • Headcase
  • Christmas: Help Wanted

About Al and Stacy Delcome

Instagram: @confusion_escapes

Our journey began years ago when we stumbled upon our first escape room. Little did we know that this seemingly innocent adventure would ignite a spark within us, leading us down a path of endless possibilities. We were instantly captivated by the thrill of solving puzzles, the rush of beating the clock, and the joy of working together as a team.

We both poured our hearts and souls into creating Confusion Escapes, a haven for puzzle enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike. Our mission? To provide an unforgettable experience that challenges the mind, sparks creativity, and leaves you wanting more.

We came from the haunt industry, so we had an idea about creating immersion within a room. We just took the challenge a bit further by adding puzzles and combining it with our new found passion.

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