Most people think of murder mystery games as in-person events. But with modern technology, you can now play murder mystery games online from anywhere. Hosting over Zoom lets friends and family join the fun no matter where they live. While Google Meet and Skype work, Zoom is our favorite for its reliability, breakout rooms, and easy-to-use features.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to make your virtual mystery party a hit.

Step 1: Choose the Right Murder Mystery Game

When purchasing a murder mystery game, make sure the game is also set up for play on Zoom. At Mystery Enterprises, our games are designed to be played in person or virtually with detailed instructions for both formats — perfect if you’re hosting murder mystery games online.

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. It is even more dangerous virtually because it is inherently easier to “blow off” a virtual event than an in-person event.  Therefore, it is important to solidify participants’ attendance, so you have a guest playing each character in the game.

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. The good news is that when playing over Zoom, participants only need to worry about costumes from the waist up, since that is what will appear on the webcam.

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. At Mystery Enterprises, you can have a character information and game video trailers automatically emailed out to your guests prior to the day of the event. In addition, for our costume-themed games, we provide specific costume and prop suggestions for each character.  

Step 4. Set Up on the Day of the Game

You will want to give a specific time for guests to arrive on Zoom.  To prevent Zoom bombers, you can create a waiting room and admit authorized guests as they arrive. The host will need a pro account on Zoom so the meeting will not end after 40 minutes.

Most mystery games cannot begin until all the guests are present. Since it is human nature to be fashionably late at parties, we recommend playing some warmup games or puzzles that you can play until all guests arrive. If all participants do not know each other, this would be a good time for a “get to know you” icebreaker. Feel free to use Mystery Enterprises free mini mysteries as quick icebreakers to test the group’s detective skills.

You can opt to transform your zoom space into the mystery’s setting with zoom backgrounds. You can even send the Zoom background to guests as part of the invitation so that everyone has the same background.

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

When they arrive over Zoom and are admitted into the meeting, guests should change their Zoom name to their character name. Most mystery games will have some general knowledge about the game’s plot and these can easily be shared over group chat.  Most mystery games also have special knowledge that is specific to that character. This is usually when players learn whether they are innocent or the murderer. This information should be sent over private chat.

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, purchasers of our games have access to our automated sytem which can electronically send character information to each player’s personal electronic device.

Step 6: Let the Games Begin  

At the heart of murder mystery games online is the interaction among the characters. Over Zoom, this interaction occurs seamlessly with the use of breakout rooms. The moderator can separate the larger group into smaller groups in private rooms.

To keep the game moving, there should be some time limit to the discussions. Zoom does have a countdown clock that you can utilize. At Mystery Enterprises, we have tested a game format that creates suspense while keeping the game moving. Our murder mystery 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, take a zoom picture of everyone in gallery view. In a wrap-up email about the event, you can share the picture. You can also give praise to the players with the best costumes and anyone who solved the murder.  By following these steps, your murder mystery game online over Zoom 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.