Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
@mairispaceship.com
🕹️ Puzzle Game Designer #boardgames #videogames
✍️ Escape Industry News & The Escape Roomer
🧩 TERPECA & ER Champ UK Ambassador
🏢 Studio Manager @ Draknek, Director @ HEFT & others
mairispaceship.com
✍️ Escape Industry News & The Escape Roomer
🧩 TERPECA & ER Champ UK Ambassador
🏢 Studio Manager @ Draknek, Director @ HEFT & others
mairispaceship.com
Pinned
Hi I'm Mairi👋
I'm a puzzle designer, writer and overenthusiastic escape room enthusiast in the UK. I work on and cover things like:
🔒Escape Rooms
🎮Video Games
🎲Board Games
🗺️Treasure Trails
And sometimes also do ambassador and mentorship stuff in the puzzle space too 💞
www.mairispaceship.com
I'm a puzzle designer, writer and overenthusiastic escape room enthusiast in the UK. I work on and cover things like:
🔒Escape Rooms
🎮Video Games
🎲Board Games
🗺️Treasure Trails
And sometimes also do ambassador and mentorship stuff in the puzzle space too 💞
www.mairispaceship.com
I am actually so mad that "solving crimes in european country estates" is not a real job I can have 😡
January 23, 2026 at 11:40 PM
I am actually so mad that "solving crimes in european country estates" is not a real job I can have 😡
It's been an absolute honour working on Wax Heads and LOOK! I am immortalised in the game!! 🤩💖✨
Look at all these amazing and talented people that worked on Wax Heads 🥹♥️🔥🙌🎵😭 @rothiotome.bsky.social @ginaloughlin.com @mairispaceship.com @yourkyotowife.bsky.social @mattjohnss.bsky.social @balazsronyai.bsky.social and Javi
(working on the credits and thought why wait to say how thankful I am♥️)
(working on the credits and thought why wait to say how thankful I am♥️)
January 23, 2026 at 10:05 PM
It's been an absolute honour working on Wax Heads and LOOK! I am immortalised in the game!! 🤩💖✨
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
NEW: I spoke to Jonathan Blow about his ambitious new puzzle game and why it took ten years to make. Then, days after the announcement, three designers came out denouncing Blow for his views on Trump (pro), vaccines (anti), and more. Here's the whole messy story: www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
A Controversial Video-Game Designer Returns With a New Game and More Controversy
The announcement of ‘Order of the Sinking Star’ was met with criticism over the political views of its creator Jonathan Blow
www.bloomberg.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:45 PM
NEW: I spoke to Jonathan Blow about his ambitious new puzzle game and why it took ten years to make. Then, days after the announcement, three designers came out denouncing Blow for his views on Trump (pro), vaccines (anti), and more. Here's the whole messy story: www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Every month for the last 5 or so years I've been drafting the Escape Industry Newsletter! Anyway, January 2026's is now live :)
escapeindustry.com/issues/janua...
escapeindustry.com/issues/janua...
🔑 Escape Industry News | January 2026
escapeindustry.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Every month for the last 5 or so years I've been drafting the Escape Industry Newsletter! Anyway, January 2026's is now live :)
escapeindustry.com/issues/janua...
escapeindustry.com/issues/janua...
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
January 14, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
I've been commissioned to write a piece about games based on real places that changed peoples' perception of that place or had some kind of local impact - are you a dev who made a game like this? Or are you a player who has a story about a game that inspired you to visit somewhere? Let me know!
January 13, 2026 at 1:24 PM
I've been commissioned to write a piece about games based on real places that changed peoples' perception of that place or had some kind of local impact - are you a dev who made a game like this? Or are you a player who has a story about a game that inspired you to visit somewhere? Let me know!
As part of the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant I mentored this developer on The Detective's Apprentice last year, and I'm incredibly proud and excited for this game 🤩💖
It scratches a real puzzle itch with complex but incredibly satisfying cases. It's something special and one to watch, for sure.
It scratches a real puzzle itch with complex but incredibly satisfying cases. It's something special and one to watch, for sure.
The Detective's Apprentice demo is out now! Sharpen your deduction skills and uncover Cleo's beginnings, as she solves her first three cases.
Play it now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4159750/...
Play it now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4159750/...
January 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM
As part of the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant I mentored this developer on The Detective's Apprentice last year, and I'm incredibly proud and excited for this game 🤩💖
It scratches a real puzzle itch with complex but incredibly satisfying cases. It's something special and one to watch, for sure.
It scratches a real puzzle itch with complex but incredibly satisfying cases. It's something special and one to watch, for sure.
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
The Detective's Apprentice demo is out now! Sharpen your deduction skills and uncover Cleo's beginnings, as she solves her first three cases.
Play it now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4159750/...
Play it now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4159750/...
January 10, 2026 at 6:58 PM
The Detective's Apprentice demo is out now! Sharpen your deduction skills and uncover Cleo's beginnings, as she solves her first three cases.
Play it now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4159750/...
Play it now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4159750/...
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
We also added a "no AI" clause to our publishing contract and contractor agreements. Some people I've mentioned this to (some who also run studios) have been dismissive, saying that people will just use AI without declaring it, but that's pretty easy IMO: don't work with them if you don't trust them
Not every game company is hopping onboard the AI hype train. Manor Lords publisher Hooded Horse bans gen AI art in its contracts.
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
One Game Publisher Is Pushing Back Against AI Art With Contracts That Ban It: 'It's Cancerous' - Kotaku
Hooded Horse won't work with developers that use gen AI
kotaku.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:05 AM
We also added a "no AI" clause to our publishing contract and contractor agreements. Some people I've mentioned this to (some who also run studios) have been dismissive, saying that people will just use AI without declaring it, but that's pretty easy IMO: don't work with them if you don't trust them
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
When you "make it" as an indie, it's so important to give back and support others to help keep the indie market thriving.
Love to see this from the Kinetic crew and extra cool to see Southampton gamedevs having such a positive impact on the industry 🙌
Love to see this from the Kinetic crew and extra cool to see Southampton gamedevs having such a positive impact on the industry 🙌
Kinetic Games, the developer behind Phasmophobia, has announced the launch of Kinetic Publishing to "support and champion creativity within the indie space". The publisher will fund two to three indie projects a year up to budgets of £1 million.
www.gamesindustry.biz/phasmophobia...
www.gamesindustry.biz/phasmophobia...
Phasmophobia developer launches Kinetic Publishing to "support and champion creativity within the indie space"
Daniel Knight and Asim Tanvir explain their plan to fund two to three indie projects a year up to budgets of £1 million
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 8, 2026 at 4:13 PM
When you "make it" as an indie, it's so important to give back and support others to help keep the indie market thriving.
Love to see this from the Kinetic crew and extra cool to see Southampton gamedevs having such a positive impact on the industry 🙌
Love to see this from the Kinetic crew and extra cool to see Southampton gamedevs having such a positive impact on the industry 🙌
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
friends! acquaintances! help!
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
Job opening: game designer @ Hidden Folks
We're looking for a game designer in the Netherlands to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
hiddenfolks.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:58 PM
friends! acquaintances! help!
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
80 of my favourite films I watched in 2025, in order of how much I liked them 🙏
January 6, 2026 at 1:13 PM
80 of my favourite films I watched in 2025, in order of how much I liked them 🙏
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
Join us for our second year of GOTY festivities in episode 45 of the Draknek & Friends Official Podcast!
draknek.org/podcast
Syrenne and Alan are once again joined by Mairi and Joseph for this look at many of our favourite games from the last year.
draknek.org/podcast
Syrenne and Alan are once again joined by Mairi and Joseph for this look at many of our favourite games from the last year.
Draknek & Friends Official Podcast - YouTube
Join Alan and Syrenne from Draknek & Friends as they talk to developers of some of their favorite puzzle games, shedding light onto how games get made and th...
draknek.org
January 1, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Join us for our second year of GOTY festivities in episode 45 of the Draknek & Friends Official Podcast!
draknek.org/podcast
Syrenne and Alan are once again joined by Mairi and Joseph for this look at many of our favourite games from the last year.
draknek.org/podcast
Syrenne and Alan are once again joined by Mairi and Joseph for this look at many of our favourite games from the last year.
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
when you wireframed for worst case 5 swords but it gets increased to 9
December 20, 2025 at 6:53 PM
when you wireframed for worst case 5 swords but it gets increased to 9
You've been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you.
Who's coming to save you?
Who's coming to save you?
December 21, 2025 at 10:10 AM
You've been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you.
Who's coming to save you?
Who's coming to save you?
Last night I got to announce an award at the TERPECAs for my absolute favourite room from 2025 - La Posesión by Arcanum Escapes in Barcelona! Felicitats!
TERPECAs are the Oscars of the escape room world, and if you missed the show you can watch it all here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTWl...
TERPECAs are the Oscars of the escape room world, and if you missed the show you can watch it all here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTWl...
December 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Last night I got to announce an award at the TERPECAs for my absolute favourite room from 2025 - La Posesión by Arcanum Escapes in Barcelona! Felicitats!
TERPECAs are the Oscars of the escape room world, and if you missed the show you can watch it all here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTWl...
TERPECAs are the Oscars of the escape room world, and if you missed the show you can watch it all here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTWl...
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
Congrats to all the TERPECA winners this year! And good luck & lots of strength to all my fellow enthusiasts trying to book certain games. terpeca.com/2025/ #EscapeRooms
Top Escape Rooms Project 2025
terpeca.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Congrats to all the TERPECA winners this year! And good luck & lots of strength to all my fellow enthusiasts trying to book certain games. terpeca.com/2025/ #EscapeRooms
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
I suspect it might be illegal for me to get this working and not make a Lights Out clone on it as the first game?
This is Godot, communicating with a Launchpad Pro MK3 over Midi, using code I've made that lets me add extra effects, like the rainbow fade on pads and buttons 🎉🌈
This is Godot, communicating with a Launchpad Pro MK3 over Midi, using code I've made that lets me add extra effects, like the rainbow fade on pads and buttons 🎉🌈
December 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I suspect it might be illegal for me to get this working and not make a Lights Out clone on it as the first game?
This is Godot, communicating with a Launchpad Pro MK3 over Midi, using code I've made that lets me add extra effects, like the rainbow fade on pads and buttons 🎉🌈
This is Godot, communicating with a Launchpad Pro MK3 over Midi, using code I've made that lets me add extra effects, like the rainbow fade on pads and buttons 🎉🌈
With the exception of one or two I haven't played, I pretty much agree with this list entirely.
December 19, 2025 at 9:46 AM
With the exception of one or two I haven't played, I pretty much agree with this list entirely.
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
Here's the December edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye: thinkythirdthursday.com/december-2025
Thinky Third Thursday - December 2025
Monthly game recommendations from the puzzle experts at Draknek & Friends
thinkythirdthursday.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Here's the December edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye: thinkythirdthursday.com/december-2025
Lots of really strong puzzle games in this year's nominees for the Thinky Awards! 🏆
Go place your vote if you haven't already!
Go place your vote if you haven't already!
December 17, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Lots of really strong puzzle games in this year's nominees for the Thinky Awards! 🏆
Go place your vote if you haven't already!
Go place your vote if you haven't already!
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
convey a message in cloud form
December 15, 2025 at 4:17 AM
convey a message in cloud form
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
Just got reminded that it's been almost 10 years since I created an in-office scavenger hunt as apology for missing the company's annual holiday party.
Office Shenanigans: Hunting Down the Anti-Fun Commission
Two years ago, I scheduled a vacation to catch up with friends on the West Coast, only to find out Digitas Health scheduled its annual…
mjandersen.medium.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Just got reminded that it's been almost 10 years since I created an in-office scavenger hunt as apology for missing the company's annual holiday party.
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
Last-minute chaos entry for the TTRPG Bookmark Jam 📖🔪
Made a tiny bookmark whodunnit in ~4 hours.
You play it while reading. Pick names from the book, uncover motives, frame the killer.
This is 'Marked for Murder'
capacle.itch.io/marked-for-m...
Made a tiny bookmark whodunnit in ~4 hours.
You play it while reading. Pick names from the book, uncover motives, frame the killer.
This is 'Marked for Murder'
capacle.itch.io/marked-for-m...
December 15, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Last-minute chaos entry for the TTRPG Bookmark Jam 📖🔪
Made a tiny bookmark whodunnit in ~4 hours.
You play it while reading. Pick names from the book, uncover motives, frame the killer.
This is 'Marked for Murder'
capacle.itch.io/marked-for-m...
Made a tiny bookmark whodunnit in ~4 hours.
You play it while reading. Pick names from the book, uncover motives, frame the killer.
This is 'Marked for Murder'
capacle.itch.io/marked-for-m...
Reposted by Mairi Spaceship 🚀✨ (she/her)
woah 1 year already! time goes fast when you make games with fantastic folks. @raindrinker.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social @syrenne.com @mairispaceship.com
Today marks the one year anniversary of LOK Digital!
To celebrate you can grab a discounted copy on Playstation or Steam, or get the newly released Nintendo Switch edition.
lok-digital.com
To celebrate you can grab a discounted copy on Playstation or Steam, or get the newly released Nintendo Switch edition.
lok-digital.com
LOK Digital
Learn world-changing words and master their mind-bending effects
lok-digital.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
woah 1 year already! time goes fast when you make games with fantastic folks. @raindrinker.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social @syrenne.com @mairispaceship.com