Being the host and playing a character
Our games are designed so that one person is the Host, and everyone else plays a character. The host usually plays a minor role – often a servant.
But what do you do if you also want to play the game? Or if you don’t quite have enough people and need to play the game and host it?
These are two slightly different situations, but they overlap a lot.
Making up the numbers
If you don’t quite have enough guests for your game (or someone drops out at the last minute), you may need to take on a role so that you can make up the numbers to avoid cancelling.
For example, Hollywood Lies is for 16-32 guests plus a host. If you have only 15 guests, you will need to take on the role of one of the characters to have the minimum number of characters.
Deciding which character you should take is a matter of taste – but we recommend choosing one with the least impact on the game. If you’re making up the numbers, this may not be easy because each mandatory character has some impact on the game.
We recommend that you don’t play either the murderer or the detective (if there is one), as that won’t be fair.
Wanting to take part
On the other hand, you may have enough guests to play the game, but you want to take part. In that case, you should choose of the optional characters.
Again, deciding which character to take is up to you, but ideally choose a character with less impact on the game so you have time for your hosting duties.
(If you’ve filled your party, you will have to write your own character!)
Impartiality and playing to lose
In both cases, it’s important to separate when you’re being the host and when you’re playing the character. As the host, you need to be impartial and you will probably need to make decisions that affect “your” character.
We suggest that if you’re put in the position of having to make a decision that will either benefit or hinder your character, always hinder your character so you aren’t accused of cheating!
(It can be a lot of fun setting yourself up to be duped and swindled by the other guests.)
Also, if someone is having difficulty meeting their goals, you can help them. (For example, if one of the agents in Hollywood Lies is having difficulty signing anyone up, you can sign up to them yourself!)
Tips for playing and hosting simultaneously
If you play a character and host a murder mystery game, please remember the following:
- You will know who the murderer is, so leave solving the mystery to your guests.
- You will know many other characters’ secrets and problems – you are on your honour not to take advantage of that fact.
- You will need to act as host for much of the time. So you shouldn’t take a key role – leave those for your guests.
- As well as the host’s game duties, you need to think about catering and housekeeping. Don’t become so wrapped up in your character that you forget.
- We suggest that you shouldn’t expect to use any abilities.
- Avoid playing characters that will become heavily involved in things like combat.
- Explain to your other guests at the start of the party that you are playing a character as well as hosting.