“Screenwriting is like a puzzle that the writers are putting together.”
When a television screenwriter who loves puzzles and immersive experiences turns her attention to creating a boxed puzzle game, the result is beguiling and thoroughly engrossing. The Morrison Game Factory has a deeply intimate and emotional story that pulled at my heartstrings while still engaging my puzzle brain.
Screenwriter Lauren Bello created The Morrison Game Factory as puzzle challenge during the pandemic. It would have remained a small one-off game played only by her friends until Rita Orlov of PostCurious played it. She fell in love with the game, and worked with Lauren to produce the game under the PostCurious brand.
We originally interviewed Rita of PostCurious on REPOD S2E7 when her award winning game Light in the Mist had just come out. Since then, PostCurious has continually produced hit after hit, including the charming puzzle-focused Ministry of Lost Things series, along with longer epics like Emerald Echoes and Threads of Fate, which is a remake of the first game that Rita became known for.
PostCurious games are impeccably produced. All the games have authentic-feeling props, heavyweight paper, and a beautiful artistic flair. The puzzles are intriguing, and range from light and playful to complex and layered. The storylines are always interesting and tie into the gameplay.
Rita Orlov and Lauren Bello talk about their collaboration. We also spend some time dissecting all the new PostCurious games to hit the market since we last had Rita on Reality Escape Pod. I really enjoyed learning about Lauren’s writing process, especially when she described it as a series of waveforms, layering the different plots, storylines, and vibe that she’s trying to achieve. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out The Morrison Game Factory and PostCurious’ newest game on Kickstarter, Ministry of Lost Things – Case 2: Finders Keypers.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: REA Patreon Backers, PG’s Playhouse, Buzzshot, and COGS. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.
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PG’s Playhouse Podcast
If you love wordplay, puzzles, and trivia, this is the podcast for you! PG’s Playhouse recreates a fun game night with friends, all in a short, 30-minute format. Of course, what’s game night without making new friends? We bring on different guests for the different episodes!
Each episode features a puzzle packed with wordplay and trivia, a short chat with the guest, and a segment exploring an interesting topic. I hope you’ll take a listen and play along with us at PG’s Playhouse.
Buzzshot
Buzzshot is Escape Room Software, Powering Business Growth, Player Marketing, and improving the Customer Experience. They offer an assortment of pre and post game features including robust waiver management, branded team photos, and streamlined review management for Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Morty. Buzzshot now has integration with the other REPOD sponsors: Morty and COGS.
Special Offer for REPOD Listeners:
REPOD listeners get an extended 21-day free trial plus 20% off your first 3 months, with no set-up fees or hidden charges. Visit buzzshot.com/repod to learn more about this exclusive offer.
COGS
COGS by Clockwork Dog is an easy to use software/ hardware platform for running interactive events, including escape rooms, and other immersive experiences. They have plug & play hardware that seamlessly integrates with their software so you can create a show with lighting and sound cues without having to write a single line of code. Map all kinds of inputs to outputs by building up simple logic steps which determine what you want to happen and when.
Special Offer for REPOD Listeners:
REPOD listeners can get the COGS Starter Set for only $130 + free shipping to the USA. This bundle is usually valued at $257. You can learn more and purchase your Starter Set at cogs.show. Use code REPOD at checkout.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
- 00:00 Sponsor Break: Buzzshot, Escape Room Marketing Software
04:20 Rita and Lauren’s Collaboration Journey
06:38 Lauren’s Beginnings as a Screenwriter
11:12 The Concept of a Puzzletale
12:47 The Art of Box Design
14:52 The Morrison Game Factory
17:07 Revisiting The Tale of Ord
20:47 Sponsor Break: Room Escape Artist Patreon – Bonus Episodes, Spoilers Club & More
22:25 Emerald Echoes: A Sequel’s Story
24:43 Lauren’s Go-To Writing Style
27:25 Collaborating with Ted Ed on Pandora’s Legacy
32:28 The Ministry of Lost Things Series
36:44 Sponsor Break: PG’s Playhouse – Puzzles, Pals, and Trivia
38:31 Kickstarter Tips for Game Creators
43:56 Supporting Other Creators and Market Research
47:04 The PostCurious Pipeline
48:51 Sponsor Break: Cogs By Clockwork Dog, Interactive Show Controls
50:26 Deciding on the Right Idea
52:43 The Evolution of Game Length and Puzzle Difficulty
56:37 Bringing on a Collaborator
58:09 The Joys of Stained Glass Crafting
59:46 Future Plans and Upcoming Projects
01:03:48 Credits
Leave a Voicemail
Got a question or thought for the podcast? You can submit a voice recording by calling the Room Escape Artist not-so-hotline that always goes straight to voicemail (551-227-7273).
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
🔒 Golden Lock Award winner
About Rita Orlov
Instagram: @postcurious and @ritaorlov
Rita Orlov is the founder and creative director of PostCurious. A designer and maker with a background in escape rooms, illustration, and object design, Rita lives for the “aha” moments and the journey of discovery that can be created through puzzles and gamified storytelling. She strives to create unique experiences that will challenge, surprise, and bring joy to players. When she’s not making or solving puzzles, you’ll find her playing board games or obsessing over a new craft.
About Lauren Bello
Instagram: @daela
Lauren Bello is a television writer and game designer best known for her work on Apple TV’s Foundation and Netflix’s The Sandman. Her narrative escape game The Morrison Game Factory debuted in 2024, garnering a Golden Lock Award and an Indiecade nomination. She currently lives in Los Angeles, surrounded by stacks of 400+ boxed puzzle games.
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