Hi, I’m Arthur Grainger—an archaeologist, writer, and self-taught game developer who loves turning research into engaging stories and playable worlds. I’ve spent years in field archaeology, archives, and education, and I now blend those skills with Unity, Blender, and narrative design to create small but atmospheric games and compelling content. Whether I’m debugging a Unity script, researching a site, or tutoring students, I bring curiosity, careful data handling, and a desire to share knowledge with others. I’m always learning new tools like Unreal Engine and GIS to expand what I can create and explain.

Arthur Grainger

Hi, I’m Arthur Grainger—an archaeologist, writer, and self-taught game developer who loves turning research into engaging stories and playable worlds. I’ve spent years in field archaeology, archives, and education, and I now blend those skills with Unity, Blender, and narrative design to create small but atmospheric games and compelling content. Whether I’m debugging a Unity script, researching a site, or tutoring students, I bring curiosity, careful data handling, and a desire to share knowledge with others. I’m always learning new tools like Unreal Engine and GIS to expand what I can create and explain.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Arthur Grainger—an archaeologist, writer, and self-taught game developer who loves turning research into engaging stories and playable worlds. I’ve spent years in field archaeology, archives, and education, and I now blend those skills with Unity, Blender, and narrative design to create small but atmospheric games and compelling content.

Whether I’m debugging a Unity script, researching a site, or tutoring students, I bring curiosity, careful data handling, and a desire to share knowledge with others. I’m always learning new tools like Unreal Engine and GIS to expand what I can create and explain.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Beginner
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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Game Developer at Self-employed
January 1, 2024 - Present
Developing small game projects using Unity 3D; learning C#; using Blender and Procreate for 3D models and textures; exploring Unreal Engine; designing game concepts and writing game narratives.
House Sitter at Independent
April 1, 2026 - Present
Overseeing property and pets while owners are away.
Field Archaeologist at Foundations Archaeology
May 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Fieldwork excavating features, recording data, photographing sections, and following archival procedures to preserve records before backfilling.
Archaeologist at MOLA
February 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024
Fieldwork at Northampton site performing excavation and feature recording.
Archaeologist at MOLA
July 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025
Fieldwork at Swindon site; excavation and feature processing.
Customer Service at New Zealand Electoral Commission
November 1, 2023 - November 30, 2023
Assisting voters, explaining processes and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
SEO writing, ghostwriting, research blogs, and travel writing for various clients.
Front of House at Larnach Castle
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Customer service, café work, gift shop, gate security, and general site operations.
Casual Archaeology Fieldwork at SPAR
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Excavation and monitoring excavation by digger.
Lab Assistant at University of Otago
April 1, 2021 - August 31, 2021
Analysing pottery; SEM sampling and data collection; statistical analysis.
Digitiser at Archives New Zealand
March 1, 2021 - April 30, 2021
Archival digitising; handling sensitive records with confidentiality.
Tutor at New Zealand Heritage
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Digitising records and tutoring ANTH courses; archaeology education support.
Volunteer Archaeologist at South Papuan coast excavations
January 1, 2019 - January 14, 2019
Volunteer excavations; fieldwork experience.
Volunteer Archaeologist at Shar Briden projects
January 1, 2019 - January 31, 2019
Casual archaeology work and field visits.
Tutor at University of Otago Anthropology Courses
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Tutoring ANTH 204 Pacific Archaeology and introductory ANTH courses.
Field Assistant at Papanui Inlet Excavations
January 1, 2019 - January 14, 2019
Two-week excavations; fieldwork experience.
Volunteer at Redcliffe excavation
January 1, 2019 - January 7, 2019
One-week volunteering at the Redcliffe site.
Volunteer at University of Otago Anthropology Society
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Volunteer with the student society.
Front of House at La Porchetta
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Customer service across café, shop, and gate areas.
Retail Assistant at The Campus Shop
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2019
Retail duties and customer service.
Oriana Park Café Employee at Oriana Park Café
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Part-time cafe work including barista tasks.
Paper Round Assistant at Local Paper Round
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Delivery tasks for local newspaper.
Kitchen Assistant/Feeder at Kaiapoi Lodge
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Kitchen duties and feeding tasks.

Education

Master of Arts in Archaeology (First Class) at University of Otago, Dunedin
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Bachelor of Arts Honours in Archaeology (First Class) at University of Otago, Dunedin
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology at University of Canterbury (UC)
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology at University of Otago
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Fine Arts degree (UNCOMPLETED) at University of Canterbury, Christchurch
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2014
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 at New Zealand High School System
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Games Design and Development (Online) at TEES
January 1, 2026 - January 1, 2026
Introduction to QGIS for Historic Environment Professionals Online Course at Online Course
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023

Qualifications

Introduction to QGIS for Historic Environment Professionals Online Course
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Games Design and Development (Online)
January 1, 2026 - January 1, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Gaming