Mystery Game Search Categories – What Do They Mean?
Yesterday I spent most of the day configuring our new search feature on our murder mystery games site. After a lot of frustration and a midnight appeal to my wonderful web designer, Chev, we got it working. But then, as I stared at the swirling, spinning words, entranced into an almost hypnotic state, I realized that many people may not understand what some of these classifications mean. Let’s take a look at them:
Mystery Game Suspects (ie: 10 suspects): This is the number of “suspects” in the mystery game, although with most mysteries, this does not mean that the suspects are the only ones who can play. Your Shot In The Dark Mysteries game materials include ideas for making your game large-group friendly. So, let’s say you’re having a party and 25 people are coming. With most games, you can make them “large group” (see below) by simply using the “suspects” as a cast of characters, and everyone else becomes a “sleuth” or “investigator”. Provide them a notebook and pen and watch them get caught up in their investigation!
Large Group Mystery Game: Usually large-group mystery games go anywhere from 9 “suspects” and up, but any “interactive” game can be made into a large group mystery game simply by making the suspects a cast of characters and all other attendees the investigators. Feel free to contact us for ideas on how to make the mystery game of your choice accommodate your guest list, regardless of the number of people on it!
Small Group Mystery Game: Small group games are typically9 characters or less. The smallest murder mystery game we have for sale at Shot In The Dark Mysteries is Kaleidoscope, which is a sit-down dinner party-type game with just 5 suspects.
Time to Play the Game (2-4 hours, 1-2 hours, Mystery Game in an Hour): These categories tell you how approximately how long it will take to play the mystery game. If you just want a quick game to play as an ice breaker or something to complement your Halloween party, but not take up the entire evening, you can select these categories to narrow down your search of games that will fit the time you wish to fill.
Adult: You guessed it – murder, betrayal, infidelity, deception, drugs, alcohol and all around bad behaviour! Adult games are (understandably) not meant for children, although some can be suitable for Teens. These will have a “Teens” tag, but if young adults will be playing, email me at mysterymaiden@shotinthedarkmysteries.com before you purchase and I can tell you what themes are used so you can determine suitability.
Kids: Kids games are suitable for children 13 and under, and of course all ages over and above that. These are non-murder mystery games, and usually involve a theft of some kind.
Family-Friendly: Why not spend your family games night playing a mystery? Family-friendly games are fun for the whole family, and usually include adult facilitator roles or, in the case of Teachers From Another Planet, pit the students against the teachers to see who will come out triumphant!
Additional Characters Available: Additional characters include detective roles, facilitators and other non-suspect roles. These games are perfect if you have “wobblers” on your guest list – those who can’t seem to commit to coming. They can still be involved in the game if they show up, but the mystery game night will not be ruined if they decide at the last minute to stay home and watch old re-runs of Seinfeld.
Interactive: An interactive game gets everyone up and out of their seats to interrogate one another to solve the mystery. These differ from some traditional “turn-based” mystery games in that they are not suitable for an evening of sitting around a table. If that sounds more up your alley though, look for the “dinner party” category.
Dinner Party: The polar opposite of Interactive mystery games, Dinner Party games can be played around a table, and the “chapters” are designed to be played between meal courses.
Mini Mysteries: Mini mystery games are designed to be played in an hour or less. They always contain a cast of suspects, can be played by an infinite number of people and are fully interactive.
Forensic: Forensic mystery games are our DSI: Death Scene Investigation games. The “suspects” are actually detectives, each specializing in different things. Based on the information they have collected and present, the sleuths identify the killer based on a list of hypothetical suspects.
Costumes Required: Go on, dress up! Whether it’s as a superhero, a townie from the Salem Witch Hunt or a pirate, don your costumes for an even more fun and interactive mystery game party.
Holidays (ie: Halloween and Christmas): These games are either adult or family-friendly, and have a holiday theme. Despite the holiday, they are for sale year-round. Christmas in July? Why not!
Super Secrets: Super Secrets are a game feature exclusive to Shot In The Dark Mysteries. A game with Super Secrets is the perfect way to get your guests mingling! For more, visit the Super Secrets page.
Murder: Hopefully self-explanatory. Someone’s gonna die. Who is the killer?
Non-Murder: No murder occurs, the mystery revolves around a theft of some kind. Perfect for Family Game Night, Church Mystery Events or any other time you want a good mystery but don’t want to introduce the element of death.
So, hopefully that clears up the categories a bit – happy searching!
