The Curse

The Curse is a two-player cooperative puzzle experience created for the Tomb & Kiosk set as part of my Experience Design coursework at the CMU Entertainment Technology Center. Our team took an existing, bare-bones tomb set and made it into an interactive escape room with responsive lighting, sound, and projection cues. Guests explore an Ancient Egyptian tomb and work through clues, puzzles, and a fragmented “manual” tied to the curse. Players must communicate constantly as they solve physical and digital challenges, respond to environmental effects, and attempt to lift the curse before waking the mummies from their 400-year sleep. Flickering lights, shifting projections, and timed environmental changes heighten tension and guide guests through the space.

We wrote and recorded the script, designed the puzzle flow, established the story structure, and mapped user states, using lighting and sound to support key emotional beats. Our team also produced storyboards, walkthroughs, and technical documentation to ensure every mechanic felt intentional and connected. The final prototype demonstrates how narrative, physical interfaces, and cooperative problem-solving can combine to create a lighthearted, story-driven experience that encourages curiosity and communication.