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diynevala
I have an idea for murder mystery mechanics and I need helpful tips to build it up to a working game. So, I'm at a party, where guests are totally unaware of any upcoming murder mystery. Nothing fancy there yet. I want to hand out a card to a guest, in secret, containing the premise and rules for the murder mystery:
[organizer will hand out the rest of the rules here]
Possible tasks (different for each player):
Gameplay progress:
at any point, if the murder mystery game is no longer a secret among party-goers, the players are revealed, game is announced and the murderer won (escaped).
There are obviously much more to figure out for this game. Small ideas in comments, big ideas in answers..
Also, please tell me if I re-invented the wheel and such gameplay exists already.
- Jack Smith has been murdered! This is Secret Murder Mystery and these are the rules.
- If you wish NOT to play, PLEASE return this envelope and PLEASE don't spoil the game.
- If you choose to play, tell [organizer's name] SECRETLY that you are in.
[organizer will hand out the rest of the rules here]
- You are NOT to reveal other guests ANYTHING about this murder mystery.
- You are your character, your normal occupation, relationships and hobbies.
- In addition, you have some in-game stuff, like:
- murder weapon,
- motive for the murder,
- gossip or clues about other players and
- tasks you need to complete in total secret
- In order to remain in secret, you should go about the party as usual, at the same time keep an eye on other possible players, if they are leaving behind evidence or clues that will help you to determine the murderer (in marked envelopes).
Possible tasks (different for each player):
- Recruit other players by handing out unopened envelopes secretly to other party-goers.
- Plant evidence by leaving marked envelopes in plain sight or handing them out to players you have identified.
- Reveal other players you have indentified to [organizer's name].
- Make deals with other players to provide alibis to each other.
Gameplay progress:
- Players are recruited and
- Tasks are performed until
- Players complete their tasks
- Completing tasks grants clues
- Someone figures out the murderer
- Players are revealed, game is announced and the murderer lost.
at any point, if the murder mystery game is no longer a secret among party-goers, the players are revealed, game is announced and the murderer won (escaped).
There are obviously much more to figure out for this game. Small ideas in comments, big ideas in answers..
Also, please tell me if I re-invented the wheel and such gameplay exists already.