How do you win a murder mystery game?
One question we often get asked by hosts and guests alike is how you actually win a murder mystery game. In essence this can be quite simple – you have to work out who the killer is among you – but in practice it can be a lot tougher than it sounds. Read on for some of our top tips and tricks to help you catch the killer, and perhaps win yourself the Best Detective certificate in the process…
Before the game
One of the first steps to winning a murder mystery game is to come prepared. Make sure that you know your own character before you start, so that you can give more attention to what others are saying. For example, check what secrets your character might be hiding if you are playing a 10-20 player mingling mystery, or what it says in their bio if you are playing a fully scripted game.
Now that you can give more focus to what is being said, the next top tip is to take notes! Bring a pen and a notebook or anything to write with and write on and you will give yourself a huge advantage when it comes to making accusations. You would never see a classic detective without something to take notes with, so get your Sherlock on and be prepared.
During the game
Our games all begin with an introductory round where you can say hi to each other and get the characters straight in your head. This is a good time to start taking those notes. Listen to who each person is and how they connect to the deceased, for example as the son who might inherit money or the lifelong friend who just happened to be visiting.
In our fully scripted games you will see that each character has two questions they must answer each round where they will give you details like where they were and who they spoke to. Pay attention to this as a slip up, contradiction, or bald-faced lie can help point you in the direction of the killer.
Our evidence based games still have questions and answers for you to consider, but also contain several important pieces of evidence that you must look at if you hope to work out whodunit. You need to look at and listen to everything included if you want to beat out the competition and win the game. Just remember, you are also playing a character and need to look at yourself as well as others.
Don’t be distracted by the bucket hats and pop in our 90s themed games or the ridiculous puns and monstrous characters in our Halloween games. No matter the theme or the setting, every murderer will have motive, means, and opportunity, and it is on you to find out what these are.
When round 3 is over
The end of the game is the best and most important part, where you all come together to make your accusations and hear who actually did it and why. The problem? At this point in the night you could have easily had a few of our specialty themed cocktails, be singing along to the awesome Spotify playlist included with the game, and have let yourself become more than a little distracted.
If you truly want to win the game (and remember that having a good time is important too), take a few minutes here to double check the evidence, glance through your notes, and see if there is anything you missed earlier. If you have been paying attention then it is absolutely possible to find the killer, or at least to make a very good guess about who did it and why.
Enjoy the game!
OF course winning feels great, and working out the clues to catch the killer is both satisfying and fun. But getting into character, acting the part, and having people think you are the killer when you are not can be just as much fun. As can being the killer and getting away with it! There are many different ways to win a murder mystery, so get stuck in and enjoy the game.
