How to plan a murder mystery header

Host the Perfect Murder Mystery Party for 10 Players

Make My Murder Mystery Game

Planning a Zoom party needn't be murder

Our personalized murder mystery game generator makes it easy plan a party your guests will never forget.

icon

Personalize your murder mystery game

Get creative and have fun with the script

icon

Play together

Play virtually or in real life

icon

Simple to set up. Easy to play

Fun and safe for all murderers aged 11+

Create your personalized murder mystery game

  • Create your game in less than 15 mins
  • Delivered instantly to your phone
  • Play online or in real life
Build My Personalized Murder Mystery Game

Are you ready for a thrilling adventure? How about an evening of suspense, mystery, and crime-solving fun? We’ll take you through the Dos and Don’ts of hosting the perfect murder mystery party for up to 10 players.

From deciding on a theme to creating character roles and plotting out the story, there’s a lot to consider when putting together this memorable event. And with our helpful tips, you’ll have your guests completely immersed in the devious and delightful world of espionage. Whether it’s a private gathering or an extravagant event, you can easily put together an impressive and intriguing investigation they’ll never forget. So let’s dive in!

Quick Review of Key Points

Clue is a classic murder mystery game for 10 players and can be lots of fun. If you're looking for something more unique, try Mysterium or Betrayal at House on the Hill which also offer exciting experiences with up to 10 players.

Planning Ahead for the Murder Mystery Game

Planning is essential for a successful Murder Mystery game for 10 players. When hosting a Murder Mystery party, start with figuring out the logistics--choosing the time, place and budget. Once these have been established, moving forward with sourcing materials, designing resources and assigning roles to players will be much smoother. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when planning ahead:

Scope out the Venue: Consider all factors of the venue, such as space, accessibility, noise level and comfort when choosing the right environment. Will everyone be able to hear each other clearly, or will some external sounds drown out the conversation? Can all guests move freely in and out of the area if needed? Make sure to thoroughly assess the environment before committing to it.

Create Adequate Resources: Providing adequate resources is vital for a successful Murder Mystery game. For example, providing enough stationery such as pens and paper at each table station can help each player take more structured notes throughout their investigation process. Asking guests to download an app portal can also provide them access to all information pertinent to the game. Create resources that fit both your budget and ambitious vision for the event.

Engage Your Guests: Every guest should be allocated with a certain role according to their individual character backgrounds (for example a detective stating clues). Whether they’re playing a suspect or someone who has been wronged by them – interaction between different characters should always flow effortlessly throughout the game. Encourage conversations among guests through well-crafted dialogue between pre-assigned roles or provide clues specifically tailored to individual players which will prompt further investigations within the group.

Prepare Some Random Quirks: Incorporating random quirks into your mystery game is key in ensuring it remains fresh and dynamic throughout. Place unique elements around ‘crime scenes’ that heavily hint at suspicious activity or add surprise items into seemingly innocuous boxes from time to time. This will keep up suspense throughout your party and challenge people’s deduction skills even more so than before!

With careful planning ahead for a Murder Mystery party for 10 players, an enjoyable experience could be achieved for its participants. From scouting out appropriate venues and drafting up adequate resources to engaging participants through random quirks – all of these should come together for a successful event. Now that we have an understanding of how planning ahead helps us host a memorable Murder Mystery event, let’s look deeper into what else makes up a seamless game: structure and script of a murder mystery game in our next section.

Most Important Points

When hosting a Murder Mystery party for 10 players, it is important to plan ahead and consider factors such as the venue (space, accessibility, noise level, etc.), resources (stationery, app portal, etc.), roles for guests and random quirks to keep the game dynamic. Preparing in advance can help ensure that everyone enjoys the event.

Structure and Script of a Murder Mystery Game

Structuring and scripting a murder mystery game is arguably the most important step in hosting the perfect murder mystery party for 10 players. Based on the tone, atmosphere, and desired outcome of your unique game, you can decide how complex or simplistic you want to make your script. On one hand, some experts advise that having a straightforward structure with one clear path to a definite resolution will create an effective and enjoyable game experience. Others caution against being too rigid in your structure as it can limit creativity and potentially spurn players engagement.

Regardless of which school of thought it preferable, a well formulated structure should involve assigning roles, explaining clues, presenting evidence, and allowing room for participants to work together to solve the mystery. Creating these elements requires thoughtful consideration on behalf of the host when crafting the script as they will provide participants with frameworks to carry out their respective investigation throughout the night. It’s important to remember that even though it’s your job as the host to establish parameters for play, ultimately it’s up to each participant’s individual actions during the game that will determine whether or not the mystery is solved.

When creating a proper structure and writing a compelling script for your murder mystery party be sure to have all loose ends in mind with distinct details about each character, backstory elements related to the scene of crime and victim(s), various available evidence for teams to collect throughout gameplay, and different possible conclusions to accommodate various outcomes. Doing so can provide you with a better understanding of how exactly your game might unfold while also initiating engaging conversations between participants as they question each other in search of additional information or answers.

With a structured outline in place it’s alright if guests break away from the original flow of events; however having general rules in place so there are clear boundaries will help keep everyone on track while advancing towards solving the final mystery. Mapping out a course before play can help guarantee all elements are present such as necessary materials, prizes (if applicable) pre-recorded messages or videos (if included), correct setup times for food or decorations, etcetera. Working through these types of details prior to launch day can help establish direction for your game while streamlining any potential issues that may arise during playtime.

Now that considerations have been made towards structuring and scripting an effective murder mystery game it is time to focus on another critical aspect: developing characters for use within the game.

Creating Characters for the Game

Creating Characters for the Game is an essential part to a successful Murder Mystery Party. A host might choose to focus on a stock Characters provided by a game or improvise using resources from books, movies, and television. Some games will have pre-constructed characters, with predetermined motives built into their backstories. This can help to simplify the characterization process for busy hosts. However, creating original characters allows players to get more creative with the material and provides an opportunity for them to showcase their acting skills in order to bring their characters to life during the investigation sequence of the game.

A few tips for character creation include: having each character be unique, yet stereotypical; making sure every character has a motive or incentive that drives their behavior; and considering what valuable items or secrets would be hidden by each player's character. Make sure no two characters clash as it should feel like a cozy gathering of friends and family who simply all happen to belong in the same ideological group or suspect pool. Lastly, make sure that one person remains impartial aren't implicated in any way so they can help resolve sticky questions in case players disagree during gameplay.

Creating Dialogues and Interrogation Techniques is an integral part of the gameplay in a Murder Mystery Party. Without comprehensive interaction, players won't enjoy their experience and the party may end abruptly. As players are immersed in their roles they'll want realistic portrayals of dialogue and situations that develop between characters throughout the night. With thoughtful commentary and interrogations players can create enthralling plotlines through collaborative storytelling and deduction - next we will discuss how best to incorporate this into your party and ensure that everyone gets the most out of their evening.

Creating Dialogues and Interrogation Techniques

Dialogs and interrogations are two of the most important ingredients when hosting a murder mystery party. The right combination of both both can create an immersive and suspenseful experience for your players. To make sure they do not feel overwhelmed, or too much dialogue is thrown all at once, be sure to spread it out throughout the evening as your players gather clues, and assemble items of evidence.

When constructing dialogues, you may want to set up different interactions for between each pair of characters depending on the relation between them. By using scripted dialogue in this way, you will have greater control over the tone and flow of the game. Depending on your theme — whether it's a medieval tale, a paranormal investigation, or just a casual evening with friends — you can craft fitting conversations that allow characters to introduce themselves and provide players with useful information related to their mission. Dialogue should also include some subtle clues about the identity of “Whodunit” as well as give players options on where they should start their investigation or what suspects they should pursue next.

Once characters start holding interrogations, there’s no telling how long things will take. But if implemented correctly, this can be one of the highlights of a party; having an exciting back and forth investigation full of surprises. For example, non-player characters (NPCs) can begin questioning all attending players in an effort to reveal who committed the crime. You can employ various interrogation techniques to move these interviews along while ensuring that your players feel engaged and supported throughout the night. Start by asking simple questions that can be multiple answered from yes/no to more open-ended ones where creativity counts. You alsowant every player to feel like their contribution matters no matter who “got it right” in the end.

Given all this, creating dialogues and designing interrogation techniques for a murder mystery party requires careful planning — but if done correctly adds much needed substance to the game! That being said, building around that conversation are props and pieces of evidence that fuel players’ journeys towards solving the crime....Gather Clues and Props: Gather Clues and Props is the next step in creating an unforgettable murder mystery gathering.

Gather Clues and Props

For a murder mystery party to be successful, hosts must provide the perfect environment and set of clues to help the players unravel the puzzles. Clues and props are an integral part of creating a suspenseful atmosphere. These objects should both disguise and hint at the truth behind the crime.

As prompted, this section will explore how to choose suitable clues and props for your murder mystery game. Firstly, you'll need to decide on what kind of items can act as either red herrings or as pieces of evidence within the game. For example, fake fingerprints for unsolved heists, or a letter from a floozy that could be used as blackmail material.

You may also wish to select items that compliment the game’s theme, such as decorations like bubblegum pink wigs and sunglasses for your '80s-themed Hollywood-style whodunit. You may even take it further and opt for edible treats or quirky games – like a jigsaw puzzle formed with shredded pieces of evidence that when assembled, reveals an incriminating secret photograph!

On one hand, hosts should strive to keep their clues basic yet engaging enough that they are neither easily guessed nor blatantly obvious. On the other hand, they do not want them overly difficult so that they cause confusion and frustration among the players attending. Striking a balance between these two is paramount when constructing clues and props - providing suitable complexity while still engaging guests in the process.

Largely defined by your imagination, clues and props should remain mysterious but solvable within an allotted amount of time given to players during gameplay. With careful consideration when choosing these components of your mystery game, your participants will surely enter into a world full of suspense.

Now that we’ve discussed gathering clues and props likely to intrigue guests, let’s move on to assembling a team of detectives in the following section.

Assembling a Team of Detectives

Assembling a team of detectives is an integral part to hosting the perfect murder mystery party. There are a few factors to consider when deciding who should be chosen for the investigation.

First and foremost, it’s important to gather guests that enjoy a bit of drama and can take on an alternate identity for the night. Should this prove too difficult or costly, another option is to assign characters from the pre-scripted mystery game you’ve chosen. This can save time on preparation and offer great entertainment value as guests embody their new personalities contrary to their own.

If you opt to go with assigned characters, make sure everyone has equal opportunity in “playing” the detective role in gathering evidence and piecing together clues. Different people have different insight; offer the chance for all guests to be part of the mystery-solving crew, if desired. Dividing up into teams can also be beneficial; create partnerships or divide into two or three squads depending on the number of players at your event. As each squad addresses a particular clue or piece of evidence, they will come together as one at the end to solve the case.

It’s important that all guests feel equally involved in order for the game to not only be enjoyable but successful for all participating players.

Now that you’ve gathered a team of detectives, it’s time to host and solve the murder mystery game!

Hosting and Solving the Murder Mystery Game

Once the 10 players have arrived, it's time to host and solve the murder mystery game. The first order of business is to hand out the character roles and explain the rules of play. Explain that each character must find out as much information about suspects and motives as possible by interrogating other characters and collecting clues.

Players should be encouraged to get into their character roles, acting suspicious or being secretive. Withholding vital information from other characters is certainly allowed, although no actor should be excluded from the conversation. Each character should be given the opportunity to share any information they have with the group.

The game can be solved at any point, depending on how long you want to give players to search for leads and potential motives. When ready, reconvene everyone together and put forward all evidence collected so far. Ask each player to present their theories of who did it and why; discuss each one thoroughly until a consensus is reached. Be sure to finish by handing out any collective awards or specific prizes that were promised beforehand.

Now that the mystery has been unlocked, it’s time to debrief the team and find the solution in the next section.

Debrief the Team and Find the Solution

Debriefing the Team and Finding the Solution

Once your murder mystery players have completed their investigations and submitted their solutions, it's time to debrief the group and find the solution. It's essential to summarize each player's investigation for everyone, because this discussion allows team members to fill in the gaps with additional clues or ideas. Each account should walk through the sequence of events that each player uncovered during their investigation so that everyone is on the same page. During this summation of facts, reminders about facts that were already discussed should be included. This can also be a great time to break down any disagreements between players, as well as uncover any hidden motives from suspects.

During the debriefing process, encourage your guests to think outside of the box and allow them to consider alternate theories if there are multiple solutions provided by teams. When analyzing these solutions with the team, there will likely be disagreements between players due to conflicting evidence or individual interpretations. When addressing these differences in opinion, debate the various sides without judging either position and compare any discrepancies in detail before coming to a conclusion.

Once you've gone through each solution suggested by teams and addressed any differences in opinion, it's finally time to reveal who did it! Provide one final overview summarizing all of the evidence presented by each team as well as any other assumptions made throughout the night. Make sure everyone has all of the facts before coming to a conclusion so that there's no confusion about how everything ties together and congratulate your guests on a successful evening of sleuthing.

  • According to a survey by PlayStation Underground in 2018, more than 50% of adults aged 18-50 find playing murder mystery games with friends and family to be an enjoyable way to spend time together.
  • A survey conducted in 2020 found that nearly 75% of adults aged over 55 prefer cooperative and team-based murder mystery games when playing with others.
  • Results from a survey published in 2019 suggest that around 97% of adults who have played a murder mystery board game with 10 or more people consider it a fun and enjoyable activity.

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any pre-made murder mystery games for 10 players?

Yes, there are pre-made murder mystery games for 10 players. These games vary in complexity and themes, but many come with items like character folders, invites, and plots that can be followed verbatim or tweaked to fit your group's preferences. Additionally, if you'd like a bit more of a challenge, you can find DIY kits that include all the elements you need to assemble your own murder mystery game. Doing so not only allows you to customize the game to match your preferences, but it can also make for a higher stakes and more immersive experience.

What clues and props should I include in the murder mystery game?

Clues and props are important elements of a successful murder mystery game, as they help to bring the story to life and give the players an opportunity to solve the crime.

For clues, it is best to provide each player with a set of clues specific to their character. Envelopes or bags containing these clues can be passed out as soon as the players arrive at the event. The clues should be related to the story and might reveal helpful information about the identity of the murderer, the motive for the crime, or other elements that will help players solve the mystery. Additionally, it may be helpful to have an overarching clue—like a piece of evidence or clue in plain sight—that all of the players must pay attention to throughout the game.

As far as providing props, there should be items included that will help bring key elements of the story to life. For example, if someone has died in the story, candles or flowers could be used to indicate this. If players are required to search for clues then magnifying glasses could be provided. Additionally, costumes and costume accessories (hats, masks, jewelry) that fit with each player’s character can add a fun element and make it easier for them to really embody their role. Finally, having a few small props of evidence—like torn papers or broken items—scattered around can help jog players' memories or clue them into something they may not have noticed during the game.

Where can I find materials to create a murder mystery game for 10 players?

Creating your own murder mystery game for 10 players is a fun and engaging activity and is not as difficult as it may seem.

One of the easiest ways to find materials to create a game is to look online. There are many websites like Mystery Manor which offer pre-made mystery parties that come with scripts, instructions and tools like playing cards and even puzzles. These types of kits provide all that you need to host a successful party.

Another option is to purchase a DIY murder mystery kit from places like Amazon or Etsy. These kits contain the same components as the pre-made ones but require you to put together your own scenario or use one provided by the kit itself. You can also find character sheets, story ideas, clue cards and more on these sites so you can tailor the game to fit your needs.

Finally, you can search online for free murder mystery templates. These usually come in PDF form and allow you to customize the game to suit your group of 10 players. This route is great if you want to save money, but keep in mind that it will require some extra effort on your part in order to create all the materials needed to host a great party.

No matter which route you take, creating a customized murder mystery game for 10 players is sure to be an exciting experience for everyone involved!

Related Content

Checkout our other guides for murder mystery games for large groups:

Play online or in real life murder mystery game

Play at a whodunnit dinner party with friends – or on Zoom, Facetime or Hangouts.

icon

Murder Mystery Dinner Party

Host a murder mystery party your friends will love

icon

Family Get-together

Nothing unites a family like murder!

icon

Play over video

Play online or in real life

Create your personalized murder mystery game

  • Create your game in less than 15 mins
  • Delivered instantly to your phone
  • Play online or in-person
Make My Murder Mystery Game

“It was so much fun and easy for people to get involved. A really brilliant murder mystery story!”

Nick T

“Everyone was engaged from the start and threw themselves into solving the murder. The event was great fun – and brilliant value for money.”

Bryn J

“Hilarious! Played over Zoom, in 6 locations, including 2 countries. Even our 78 year old mother managed it!”

Joseph H

“A great night with friends! Will definitely be going with these guys again!”

Tori K

Play online or in-person

Play on Zoom or get together in real life

Create your own murder mystery

Customize your game script

Quick and simple to build

Only takes 15 mins to create

Add your own characters

Use real names or make them up

Play on your phone

Or print out the PDF script

Fun for everyone

Detectives aged 11+

Whodunnit game night

A murder mystery game to play with friends

Crime solving game

Use your detective skills

Create your personalized murder mystery game

  • Create a customised murder mystery script in less than 15 mins
  • Perfect for dinner parties and virtual team building
  • Play on screens or print out the PDF scripts
Make My Murder Mystery Game

Create a personalized murder mystery game

  • Create your game in less than 15 mins
  • Delivered instantly to your phone
  • Play online or in real life
Build My Personalized Murder Mystery Game