The insructions below are for playing the game virtually.

All of our games include 20 characters and each game can be played by any combination or number of characters, since the killer is assigned at random each time. Additional players can participate (we’ve had groups of over 100 play before!) by acting as “detectives” who ask questions each round and guess who the killer is at the end.

Before the game:

Read the included Virtual Host Guide with detailed instructions on how to play. It also includes the character information for your chosen game.

Email your guests with their character booklet, the question menu, online meeting link/info (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) in advance.

As guests arrive virtually:

It can be nice to let guests arrive and mingle before officially starting the game. Each character packet includes a brief description of the character and information that they can read and share while mingling, as well as secret information for their eyes only.

It can be helpful to have each player change their screen name to their character’s screen name.

The host should assign the murderer for the game before you start playing. Use our free “assigner” tool HERE that will send each of your guests their innocent or murderer assignment in secret! If they are not the murderer, their innocent assignment also includes a number, which denotes the order in which guests should read their final statements, with the murderer going last.

NOTE: Each character booklet has an “innocent” and “guilty” version for every character. If a guest chooses a “who did it slips” that reveals them as innocent, they should read the innocent answers each round. If they are the murderer, they should read the “guilty” answers each round.

When you are ready to officially begin the game:

Start by playing or reading the Introduction Narration provided with your materials.

Next, have each character read the “INTRODUCE YOURSELF AT THE START OF THE GAME” section in their character packet.

When you are ready start act one, you will follow these steps in order:

Reveal the Evidence: Listen to the narration of the evidence or read it aloud from the “Evidence Booklet” for the Act you are starting. If you are starting the game, then you would start with the narration of the Act One: Evidence.

Questioning: Once everyone has listened to the Detective and heard the evidence for that act, it’s time for each guest to ask another guest one question from the “Question Menu” for the current Act. Choose one person to start with a question, then when the answer has been revealed it’s time to pass the question sheet to another guest to ask a new question from the menu. If a particular character is missing from the cast, there is no need to ask their question from the menu. This round of questioning should continue until all present characters have been asked and answered a question.

Moving on to Act Two

Once all of the questions for Act One have been asked and answered, it’s time to move on to Act Two. This could also be a nice time for a brief break for food or drinks if desired.

When you are ready to start Act Two,  you will do the same as instructed above, but using the content for Act Two.

Reveal the Evidence for Act Two by Playing or Reading the Evidence Narration for Act Two.

Questioning for Act Two from the Question Menu

Once all questions from the Question Menu for Act Two have been asked and answered it’s time to either pause again or continue to Act Three.

Moving on to Act Three

When you are ready to start Act Three, you will do the same as instructed above, but using the content for Act Three.

Reveal the Evidence for Act Three by Playing or Reading the Evidence Narration

Questioning for Act Three from the Question Menu.

Once all questions from the Question Menu for Act Three have been asked and answered it’s time to end the game.

Ending the Game

Now it’s time to end the game and reveal the murderer. Follow the steps below.

Accusations: Each guest should make their own accusation as to who they think the murderer is. It’s fun to include reasoning as to why they think that character is the murderer, but this is optional.

Final Statements: Each guest should review the number in which they are assigned to read their final statement. Then in order of lowest to highest (starting with INNOCENT 1) guests should read their final statements section in the character booklet. Any guest that has an Innocent assignment should read the “Innocent” statement. The person who has the “Murderer” slip should read THE MURDERER statement LAST.

Who Wins? The winner(s) are those who guess the murderer correctly!

HAPPY PLAYING!

Questions? Email us at support@broadwaymurdermysteries.com