Room Escape Artist

David spent years crafting this talk. Seriously. Outside forces have typically dictated the talks David writes for RECON, but in 2025 David finally had the opportunity to be more creative. This magical talk – which first aired at RECON Remote 25 this past August, and is now available for free on the Room Escape Artist YouTube channel – is guaranteed to surprise you.

And in 2026, we’re taking the magic of RECON to Laval, Quebec, Canada. Tickets are on sale now!

In this 2025 talk, David used the remote format to do things we could never do from a stage. When RECON is in-person this August, you can look forward to talks and experience that use the in-person medium to its fullest.

We hope you’ll join us at RECON Laval 26 where the RECON team will bring you more magic in the form of new talks, discussion sessions, an exhibit hall, a game inside the event, live entertainment, and more.

If you want to see the live Q&A that followed this talk, it is available to our Patreon backers at $5 per month and above. Just join our Patreon community to get access.

This talk first aired at RECON Remote 25 this past August, and is now available for free on the Room Escape Artist YouTube channel.

About this Talk

Escape Rooms & Magic

This talk is decades in the making. It’s the talk where Lisa and David finally delve into their love of magic with the RECON audience, surfacing lessons from magic that are both practical and philosophical. Magic has been a recurring theme at every single RECON. This is because the work that magicians do to pull off successful, interesting, and emotionally impactful illusions is very similar to what great escape room designers do to create wonderful games.

RECON 26

• August 16-17, 2026
• Laval, Québec, Canada
• Event Details

If you create or operate escape rooms or immersive games, this is an event you won’t want to miss. If you’re thinking about getting your start in this industry, come to RECON and get connected… to people and ideas. RECON is designed to propel this industry forward, creating sustainable careers, and giving players memorable adventures long into the future. Come be a part of this conversation.

🎁 Use code REA50 to get $50 off a RECON 26 General Ticket. (This holiday coupon code expires on December 31, 2025.)