Murder mystery game FAQ
This is our FAQ, frequently asked questions about our murder mystery games
How soon will I get my game?
You can download your game immediately after making your purchase. We will also send you an email message containing a download link so you can download your game later. The message might go into your spam/junk, so please do check there.
Where's my download link?
Please check your email (including your junk folder). If you’re sure you haven’t received it, then please get in touch. It helps us if you tell us when you purchased the game and what email address you used.
How do freeform murder mystery games work?
Most of our games have an impartial host who organizes the party. Hosts don’t solve the murder with everyone else – they have already read the game and instead watch the game unfolding.
Guests use their wits and negotiate, scheme, and plot with other guests to get what they want. Nobody needs to learn complicated backgrounds or memorize lines – character backgrounds are little more than a side or two of paper – which can be kept to hand for reference during the game.
How long do your games take to play?
Have you got any games for beginners?
Yes! If this is your first time hosting a Freeform Games murder mystery, we suggest choosing one of our more straightforward games.
Do you have any games suitable for all-male or all-female groups?
Yes! We have several games where all the characters are ungendered and can be played by anyone.
Click here to see our ungendered games.
What size of murder mystery game do I need?
We design our murder mystery games so that they can be played by different numbers of players, and for each, give a minimum and maximum number (say, 8 to 13 guests). That means the game will cater for a minimum of 8 guests and a maximum of 13. (Plus, someone to be the host.)
Our games also have at least one free extra character for when you end up with more players than originally expected.
If I don’t have the maximum number of people, how do I know which characters to drop?
When you buy the game, the instructions will tell you which ones to leave out, depending on how many players you have.
What does the host do?
Before the party the host:
- Buys the game and downloads the files.
- Reads the instructions and other material (including character sheets) so that they have a good understanding of the game and how it works.
- Decides who is going to play which character.
- Sends out the invitations.
- Prints out the character information and prepares the character envelopes (which contain character information, rules, and so on) for the evening.
- Prints out clues and other information that will be needed during the party.
The host might also be responsible for sorting out the venue and refreshments – or that may be done by others.
During the party, the host:
- Meets and greets the guests, and hands out the character envelopes.
- Introduces the party and reads the introduction and runs through any key rules.
- Issues timed handouts and clues, and makes announcements as necessary.
- Oversees key rules, such as combat, or poisoning or pickpocketing.
- Answers questions about the game world.
- Oversees the game wrap and debrief.
The host might also be involved in serving food and drinks – but it’s often better if others are responsible for that.
Have you got any tips for running a murder mystery game?
Can you play a character and host at the same time?
In some of our games, yes. In these games, the host prepares the game materials without reading the characters – and the instructions do not say who the murderer is.
Click here to see which games the host can play.
We have also written a page about simultaneously hosting and playing one of our other games. Click here to read Being the Host and playing a character.
Does the murderer know they are the murderer?
Yes – they’re told that right at the beginning, in their briefing. And they’re told all the details of why they did it and exactly how it happened.
What happens to those playing murder victims?
Most murders take place before the game starts, so there’s no need for anyone to play the victim. However, for those games where a character is murdered during the game, that player adopts a new character.
Some of our games include rules for poisoning or attacking other characters. However, characters can only die towards the end of the party – so if they are killed, they won’t miss much of the party.
What if I need an extra character for an extra guest?
All our games come with at least one extra character – just in case you have an extra guest.
Or you could write your own!
What rules do you use?
We use the same rules across our games to cover situations such as combat, poisoning, death and the like.
Can I host the murder mystery game commercially?
Yes – but you need a commercial licence. Click here to learn more about our commercial licence.