David Staffell
Game Designer
Puzzle Maker
Escape Room Specialist
I’ve been working as a Game Designer since 2014, when I co-founded Bewilder Box, shortly after a chance experience playing my first Escape room on a stag-do in Budapest - an event that would forever change the way I viewed creativity.
With over a decade of graphic design expertise and a lifelong obsession with cerebral gaming, I soon realised that combining these passions gave me a unique edge - setting the perfect foundation for me to craft puzzles and gameplay with exceptional precision and depth.
I’ve master-minded countless individual puzzles and props, and designed, or played a major role in the creation of more than 35 games across a wide range of mediums, including video games, board games, indoor & outdoor Escape Rooms, treasure-hunts, mysteries, and more.
Throughout my design process, I frequently ask myself the question ‘has this been done before?’ If the answer is yes, I try to change that - I am interested in creating original, thought-provoking and meaningful experiences; I want people to walk away thinking ‘Yes. That was good’.
Launching one of the very first Escape Room companies in the UK, I’ve watched the industry grow from early beginnings, helped shape its path as part of the ERIC: UK Escape Room Industry Conference team, and played over 300 Escape Rooms worldwide, gaining a deep, hands-on understanding of all areas of the medium.
I also regularly review games for The Escape Roomer and help out Game Maker’s Toolkit, one of the most respected online resources on game design.
Through this journey I’ve become a recognised voice in the UK Escape Room scene and a trusted expert in game design.