Hello! My name is Laura E. Hall

I’m an artist, writer, puzzle-maker, immersive environment and narrative designer living in Portland, Oregon. My work focuses on the playful intersections of arts, culture, and technology, especially in gaming.

Follow me on the Fediverse and Instagram,
or contact me by email: LEHALL at GMAIL dot COM


My Work

Escape Rooms and Puzzles

I craft digital and live interactive escape room puzzle games and creative adventures for global clients with Timberview Productions and in Portland, Oregon at Meridian Adventure Co.

Play our newest game, the award-winning online time-travel comedy adventure: The Traveler’s Guide to Little Sodaburg!

Immersive and Game Design

My immersive installations focus on storytelling through ephemera, environment, performance, interaction, deduction, and personal reflection.

My game design, narrative design, and world-building includes digital work, interactive fiction, street games, Alternate Reality Games (ARGs), and digital/tabletop board and card games.

See more of my work here.

Non-Fiction Writing

I write about games, film, and culture for several outlets and have published two books, Katamari Damacy and Planning Your Escape.

I recently curated a year-long series of dates in films with Letterboxd.

Community Development and Engagement

As a long-time community manager, I’m committed to inclusive and safe community spaces. I proudly serve on the board of the Portland Indie Game Squad (PIGSquad).

Speaking and Workshops

Want me to speak at your event? Reach out here.

I do public speaking, appear on panels, and host workshops on the topics of escape rooms, environmental storytelling, immersive design, and narrative puzzles.

…and more!

You can hear me on the podcast Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games, a group of game devs who do candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.

Sign up for my annual Halloween newsletter and receive a free, fun, spooky email every day in October (and only October): 31 Days of Halloween

Is it possible to find a man based on his photograph and first name? The Find Satoshi project, about a puzzle finally solved after 15 years, proves that the answer is, “yes!”


News & Updates


Cabinet of Curiosities: April 21, 2023

Time for my Friday cabinet of curiosities, where I share fun and interesting links that caught my attention this week.

Today: retro arcades, nostalgia from the future, oral histories of old software, and more ✨

Cabinet of Curiosities: April 14, 2023

Welcome to my Friday cabinet of curiosities, a roundup of stuff I enjoyed this week! Today’s links feature old computers, new trends, an ancient game, and some sci fi silliness. 1) A rip of the 1996 VHS tape “Computing in the Fast Lane”, a short informational video about the uses of technology starring Gillian Anderson:…