This flexible three-hour schedule is a starting point. Adjust the timing to fit your guest count, meal plans, and the activities included with your specific game.
Arrival and Introductions
- Guests Arrive
Welcome guests, take individual photos, and serve refreshments. Keep the guest list available for players to review as everyone arrives. Once the full group is present, take a group photo.
- Review the Player Instructions
Review the player instructions or play the instruction video. Optional: You may also invite each character to stand and introduce themselves to the group and play the game trailer.
Optional activities: Character introductions take approximately one minute per player. A game trailer adds approximately two minutes.
Round One
- Begin the Mystery
Play the opening video if your game includes one, then distribute the Round One clue cards. Players mingle, discuss their clues, and speak with every other player at least once. Motives, relationships, and backstories begin to unfold during this round. Some games may incorporate a required group challenge to be played at this time.
- Optional Bonus Activity
Play an optional bonus game.
Dinner and Round Two
- Dinner Break
Serve dinner, if desired. For a shorter or more casual party, serve appetizers and snacks throughout the game instead.
- Begin Round Two
Play the Round Two video if your game includes one, then distribute the Round Two envelopes. Players mingle again using their pre-murder clues. Some games also include a case file or dossier to review.
Non-murder themes: The crime is usually announced at the beginning of Round Two, although the exact reveal may vary by game.
- Reveal the Victim and Investigate
In murder-mystery games, the victim is revealed (in various ways). The criminal investigation begins. Distribute the mystery investigation sheets. Players interrogate one another using their post-murder clues and should speak with every other player at least once.
- Reveal Additional Evidence
Present the forensic report, or there might be a group challenge centered around forensic evidence at this time (varies by game).
Accusations and Finale
- Collect Guesses
Collect the completed investigation sheets. Optional: Invite each player to formally accuse the person they believe committed the crime and explain the suspected motive and method.
- Present the Solutions
Serve dessert and coffee, then distribute the Round Three cards. Players present their solutions, and the guilty character concludes the mystery with a confession.
Optional: Allow a few minutes afterward for guests to discuss the mystery. In larger games, only designated players may present solutions; follow the game-specific host instructions. This is a great time to arrange your optional award ceremony &/or final bonus game.
- Optional Closing Activities
Finish with another bonus game, an awards ceremony, or an alternate-ending activity if one is included with your game.
Adjust the Timeline
Need a shorter party?
Send the player instruction video link in advance.
Don't show the game's trailer
Don't allow players to introduce their characters.
Omit the bonus games
Serve snacks instead of pausing for dinner
Skip the formal accusation round
Leave out the awards ceremony.
You can shorten the finale further by having only the required players - or only the guilty character - read their solutions.
Want to extend the party?
Add more bonus games, include every optional activity, schedule a full dinner break, and allow all players to present formal accusations and solutions.