Hosting a murder mystery game can be an unforgettable experience for all, combining suspense, creativity, and fun. Whether you’re organizing a party with friends/family or a company team-building event, a murder mystery game is an excellent way to get people to interact while having a great time. Whether you are a first-time host or a seasoned pro, here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your murder mystery game is a hit.

Step 1: Choose the Right Murder Mystery Game

Unless you want to take on the time-consuming task of creating your own game, you will want to purchase a murder mystery game from a reputable organization. Look for a game that has the following:

• Compelling plot with interesting characters. Before purchasing, you should be able to read a game plot synopsis that grabs your attention and captures your imagination.
• Straightforward, clear rules. You do not want your guests confused by overly complex gameplay.
• Rules that encourage innocent characters to work together to find the murderer. For example, a game that rewards the first person to find the murderer is fundamentally flawed because it will incentivize innocent characters to try to look guilty so other innocent characters will incorrectly suspect them.
• Testimonials from game players about their experience playing that specific game.  Of course, the more, the better.

Step 2: Confirm your Party Date and Your Guest List

One of the most challenging aspects of hosting a murder mystery game is that it requires a specific number of players. Therefore, it is important to solidify participants’ attendance, so you have a guest playing each character in the story.

At Mystery Enterprises, we help this process with customized email invitations specific to each game. The invitation includes a video and written teaser to increase excitement about the event, reducing the likelihood of the dreaded last-minute cancellation.

Step 3: Assign Characters to Guests

In interactive murder mystery games, each participant plays the role of a character. To increase the immersive feel of the game, participants can opt to dress up like their characters. In addition to assisting with costumes, a detailed description of the entire cast provides a good overview of the game’s plot and setting before the day of the party. In most murder mystery games, a “moderator” is the game’s referee. As the host, if you want to play a character role instead of being a moderator, you will likely need to assign someone else to be the moderator. 

At Mystery Enterprises, the back office of our website will email or text your guests a cast of character list prior to the day of the event. In addition, for our costume-themed games, we provide specific costume and prop suggestions for each character, including links to buy wardrobe items at a reasonable price. 

Step 4. Set Up on the Day of the Game

You will want to give a specific time for guests to arrive. Most mystery games cannot begin until all the guests are present. Since it is human nature to be fashionably late at parties, we recommend offering lunch, dinner, or snacks at the assigned time. So, guests who are on time can be rewarded with the first crack at the food and drinks.

You can opt to transform your space into the mystery’s setting with decorations and props. At Mystery Enterprises, we provide a diagram of the layout of critical scenes in the storyline. This allows game players the ability to replicate the layout in their space. Be creative and have fun with it. If you do it right, arriving guests will feel like they stepped into a different world.

Step 5: Welcome Guests and Get them Ready for the Game

When guests arrive, provide them with name tags of their assigned character to wear. Most mystery games will have some general knowledge about the game’s plot and then some special knowledge that is specific to that character. This is usually when players learn whether they are innocent or the murderer. Have each character read through this information. People like to play mystery games, not read them. So, hopefully, the game you select will keep the background information to an easily digestible amount.

At Mystery Enterprises, we have a 1-page general knowledge sheet and a 1-page special knowledge sheet. Both read like a story, so it is easy to read and remember the key points.

Step 6: Let the Games Begin  

At the heart of every murder mystery game is the interaction among the characters. To keep the game moving, there should be some time limit to the discussions. Someone is a lying murderer, and everyone must figure out who that is.

At Mystery Enterprises, we have tested a game format that creates suspense while keeping the game moving. Our games limit each 1on1 discussion meeting to three minutes. After three meetings, the round ends and, at the end of each round, everyone votes for who they believe the murderer is. We have incorporated clues at strategic times to increase the tension, forcing some characters to play defense.

Step 7: Wrap Up the Game

After the mystery is solved, you can hand out prizes. A nominal prize (printed certificate, trophy, or gift certificate) can be awarded to the players with the best costumes and anyone who solved the murder. Don’t forget to give kudos to the murderer if they played a good game.

By following these steps, your murder mystery game will be a captivating event your guests will rave about for years. So gather your guests, set your scene, and get ready for an engaging and immersive evening of mystery, suspense, and fun.