An exploration of all things puzzle — escape rooms, puzzle hunts, alternate reality games, and other cryptic creations
It’s written by me, Matthew Stein, a puzzle experience designer, violinist, composer, and occasional engineer.
Why puzzles?
Puzzles capture the essence of human curiosity.
Puzzles lead us to discover new layers of wonder in the world around us.
Puzzles get us to connect with our teammates through the shared processes of observation, frustration, and discovery.
Puzzles are fun!
About me
Hi! I’m Matthew, and I’m a puzzle addict.
In late 2019, I left my job as a software engineer at Google to design puzzles full-time. I’ve since created intricate puzzle experiences for art journals, a Michelin star restaurant, a secret music launch, and lots of special occasions. I also write about escape rooms and immersive gaming for Room Escape Artist.
“Puzzle designer” isn’t exactly the most common profession. I started writing this newsletter to share some of the behind-the-scenes of what I do. My day-to-day is a delightful balance between honing the technical skills involved in puzzle construction and constantly searching for new wondrous connections to share through my games.
Puzzles are inherently multidisciplinary, and I have no shortage of hobbies. I grew up studying classical violin and viola, and I currently play klezmer fiddle in Baymele. I’m also a printmaker, letterboxer, and origamist, lenses that all influence my puzzle creations.
