Job Details

Empty Exhibit is seeking a Middle Puzzle Designer for their detective game 'Locator'. This is a part-time, remote freelance role with a pay rate of $40/hour, focusing on creating logical deduction puzzles.

Empty Exhibit is looking for a Freelance Puzzle Designer for Locator, a Geoguessr-inspired detective game set on an alien planet. Players examine photos to determine their location on a map using visual and contextual clues, with each puzzle built around logical deduction. Responsibilities: • Create low fidelity puzzle prototypes to test puzzle logic and identify issues based on player feedback • Collaborate with narrative to ensure puzzles support key story beats and narrative constraints • Work in Blender to create low fidelity blockout environments, place cameras, and render puzzle photos • Use Photoshop to create journal pages, notes, maps, and other supplementary puzzle materials • Review playtest footage and player surveys • Evaluate puzzle clarity, difficulty, fairness, and logic • Fine-tune puzzles based on player feedback and testing

Required Skills: • Demonstrable puzzle design experience • Strong understanding of logical deduction puzzle design • Moderate proficiency with Blender • Comfortable navigating 3D scenes and moving, rotating, and scaling objects • Comfortable placing cameras in 3D environments • Basic proficiency with Photoshop • Ability to create simple page layouts and low fidelity sketches • Availability for virtual meetings in Pacific Time Nice to Have: • Experience with detective games or logic-based puzzle games • Experience designing puzzles that support narrative • Familiarity with Unreal Engine • Interest in games such as Return of the Obra Dinn, Case of the Golden Idol, and Outer Wilds

What we offer: • Freelance part-time role • Remote work • Flexible workload of around 20 hours per week • Duration from now until around February 2027 • Opportunity to work on a logical deduction detective game • Support from an experienced 3D environment artist • Inclusive hiring approach