Featured Murder Mystery Party: An ‘80s Horror Whodunnit
Before Foulplay Games was a murder mystery company, some of you might not know that we started as a club at Western Washington University! As we have been writing games for years, many of our friends and family members were some of the first Foulplayers who inspired us to create our own worlds, helped test new game designs and mechanics, and co-wrote games with us! So we were so excited to feature this expert party by long-time Foulplayer and former Foulplay Club President, Meagan (@roboshae).
Meagan hosted our ‘80s summer camp horror murder mystery party, Cabin #5, for her friend Emma’s birthday party. We knew Meagan would use her long-time hosting expertise to throw an amazing birthday bash! Check out our interview with Meagan below for a long-time host’s tips and tricks on how to host your own murder mystery birthday party!
Why did you decide to host a murder mystery party? Was it your first time? Why did you decide to use Foulplay Games?
I’ve been a fan of Foulplay Games since long before it was a company, as co-founders Kristen and Maddy also founded a club by the same name at Western Washington University. (I even followed Maddy as president of the club!) So it’s safe to say I’ve hosted more than my fair share of murder mystery games (and I have even written a few!). When my friend Emma (also an original Foulplayer!) wanted to have a murder mystery birthday party, we both knew Foulplay Games was the way to go. We know Foulplay Games supports the kind of play we want–enough structure to provide a good story with enough freedom to let us really get into our characters.
How did the game go overall?
The game went great! We had some experienced murder mystery players and complete newbies, and everyone had a great time! We chose to play the game outside to get into the feel of being at a summer camp, and everyone was super creative with their costumes, which amplified the immersion. We loved the Stranger Things vibes of the game, and there were twists to the story that no one saw coming! Plus, the summer camp theme made for a good excuse to grill burgers.
We love the use of the outdoor ambiance to help folks get into character! The mix of experienced murder mystery players and newcomers likely added excitement and engagement to the game’s story. We have found that folks are usually less nervous to play when they walk into a party and it’s all set up and on theme–it gives them permission to lean into the theme, too!
Were there any extra touches you added or fun memories or stories to share?
My favorite part was the costumes! It was super fun to put together a thematic 80s look (I went for a Madonna-inspired goth aesthetic), and everyone had such a fun take on their character; from shirts tucked into high-waisted shorts to tube socks. My backyard happens to have an old, overgrown wood shed that felt very thematic for an old summer camp, so we took photos in front of it to commemorate the occasion.
The photos speak for themselves! We love the ‘80s breakfast club meets stranger things vibes, and it's fun to see everyone’s take on the geek, jock, and rebel tropes.
And for folks who are thinking about hosting their own murder mystery party and want tips from a pro, read on!
Any suggestions, recommendations, or tips for folks wanting to host their own murder mystery game?
My advice is to print out and organize the materials at least a day before the game to make sure you have enough time. It seems like a simple task (and it ultimately is), but it can be more time-consuming than you expect. Better to prepare in advance and give yourself plenty of time to put up your decor and get yourself done-up in your costume than have to rush at the last minute.
Also, don’t be afraid to get into it! It can be a little intimidating to really sink your teeth into your character at first, but it makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable when people buy in. It can be a little silly, but that’s part of what makes it fun!
We love learning from the creativity of our Foulplayers, and it is wonderful to see that some of our longest fans are still scheming and sleuthing! Thank you, Meagan and Emma, for sharing your wonderful murder mystery party with our Foulplay community.
