So, here we are back inside for a while. Just as it seemed life was getting back on it’s feet, things have come to a halt again…in person that is. But there are all kinds of entertainment still running online for your enjoyment. So whilst we are inside, why not get stuck in with some of them?
You may or may not have seen my post explaining there is quite a spectrum of immersive theatre, and how different shows, companies etc…give audience members varying levels of freedom as to how the show plays out. If you haven’t, find that here. Well, since then, I have also discovered there is a type of acting-gaming thing that exists (I’m really not too sure specifically what it is called, and those who are much more knowledgeable than me would be better to ask). Anyway. This snazzy type of game seems to be very ideal and fitting for fans of immersive theatre – me being one of them!
I got the great pleasure of trying out an online game you can play – it is a tremendously fun murder mystery show, and was completely unique and unlike anything I had ever done before. This game, is Death of a Priest, brought to you by Out of the Box Murder Mysteries. And think outside the box, they have definitely done!
As I said. It is not a show. It is a Game Masterless Game. I am not too familiar with this type of gaming, but hey – it was amazing fun! So if I can do it, and have a great time, anyone can! Even more so if this kind of gaming is your thing! And if it’s not? Even I found it easy to understand and enjoy! So everyone is a winner!
Despite this being unlike anything I have ever done before, I absolutely loved it. The audience have complete freedom and control in the game. First up, you are given a character and some information about them. Useful things like morals, beliefs, job, relationships with other characters…oh and what you were doing the day of the murder. Just standard info. Next up. You and all the other characters are told someone is dead, you all have to question and investigate each other and find out who. How and what you do is left entirely up to you. Easy, right? Wrong.
The same as if this were a real life murder mystery scenario (although I really hope no one reading this ends up involved in a murder), everyone has at least one thing they want to hide, some characters may cover for each other, or some may dislike each other so refuse to answer any questions…and of course, people will probably be more than willing to throw others under a bus to hide their own guilt.
It was SO much fun playing this. It is stressful, drama is at an all time high, and it is hugely entertaining. The more I got into it, the more real it felt until I literally started feeling hot under the collar and fired up with determination to find out who the killer was and why! The same with any immersive theatre show, game, whatever – be that online or offline – you will get out of it what you put into it. So, me being utterly dramatic on a normal day, meant I was in my element. I had a great time embracing my character and fully taking on her personality for a few hours! We may not be able to see our friends and do fun things outside and in person, but I had equally as much fun inside and online playing this! You still get to see your friends and play a fun game…but you don’t have to leave the house – and an added bonus? You can even do this in your pyjamas! What’s not to like?
You do have one helping hand with the game – you can request documents about anyone playing which may be of some benefit for you. I literally cannot tell you anything about this however, as I got so excited angrily and enthusiastically firing questions, interrogating people, and throwing around wild accusations…that I forgot this was something I could do. Perhaps if I had thought more logically, I would have remembered and they could have been of use to me…but in true me fashion, I got far too wrapped up in the game and was having fair too much fun…if that is possible!
Not only is it such a fun way to spend an evening – shouting murderous accusations at your friends, what more could you want? But the game is incredibly clever. Every character has a personality, backstory, itinerary of events as to what they were doing the day of the murder. There are I don’t even know how many documents that you can request. There is even a post mortem! There are just details galore that have all had to be thought up, then written up, then all pulled together in a way that is ready for people to access within the game. Plus the thoughts behind which characters have relationships with who, how that affects actions of themselves and other people, and then of course how everyones individual days all have some form of link to the victim, the murder, and the murderer, be it a minor or major involvement. It makes my head spin just thinking of all the details that must have been thought up and have been accounted for…and even then, I’m sure I’ve only thought of a tip of the ice-burg! Putting a show together at all is no easy task, no matter what. So putting together a show that is actually a game, that people can play with no game master, and with a game as complex and layered as this…it must have been a challenge and a half. But it has more than paid off.
Something quite amusing I want to share from when I played this for the first time, is that the character I got to play – was not the murderer. No spoilers who, but I wasn’t. But. I was playing with such a good team of people, that someone actually tricked me into thinking I was. At one point, I was frantically wracking my brain, checking the notes on my own character, second guessing myself, thinking ‘maybe I am the murderer and I just don’t know it!’.
This is a game definitely something worth doing, and I think you can absolutely justify doing it more than once. With it being led by audiences means that no two times you play will ever be the same, and can differ hugely. Especially as you can have no way of predicting what your fellow audience members will ask. In fact – with 6 characters, it just makes sense to play it at least 6 times. That way, you get to play all of the characters, and have 6 very vastly different experiences! In fact, now I’ve said it…maybe that’s what I will end up doing!
So, whether you’ve played games like this hundreds of times before and you’re an old hat, or – like me – you are a completely novice and have no idea what you are doing…this is something that ticks all the boxes for a fun evening in, and maybe even trying something new and unique. Whilst we are in lockdown, is there a better time to do it? If you do play – I want to hear what your experience was like! Tell me everything, I want to know!
If you wish to get yourself onto this game, all you have to do is head to Out of the Box Mysteries facebook page and send them an email, and they can help you further.
As I am sure you are all aware, the arts are suffering at the moment. With them all being closed, I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful that these very skilled creative folk are finding ways to bring us fun theatrical things to do, in all shapes and forms, as a way to keep me sane! So. With that. Happy murder mystery solving, and now I’m off to round up a group of friends so I can do it all again…
One Show at a Time 