Objective of the Game:
Murder in the Dark is an intriguing party game played best with larger groups. The goal of the game is to identify the "murderer," who tries to "kill" as many "victims" as possible without getting caught.
Materials Needed:
- A large room that can be completely darkened.
- Small slips of paper or cards for determining roles.
Setup:
- Decide on having at least four or more players. The more players, the better.
- Prepare slips of paper or cards with different roles. In a group of ten people, you could have the following distribution: 1 murderer, 1 detective, and 8 civilians.
- Fold the slips, and have everyone pick one without revealing their role.
How to Play:
- Lights Out: Once everyone knows their role, turn off the lights so the room is entirely dark.
- Murder in the Dark:
- The murderer moves stealthily around the room "killing" other players by gently tapping them on the shoulder.
- A "victim" who is "killed" should wait about ten seconds and shout "Help, I'm dead!" and then sit down to indicate they are out of the game.
- Detective Work:
- The detective tries to identify the murderer by questioning other players in the dark. The detective can ask questions that hint at others touching someone. Responses must be spoken aloud.
- Accusation: When the detective believes they've identified the murderer, they can accuse. The lights are turned on, and it is revealed whether the accusation is correct.
- End of the Game:
- If the murderer successfully eliminates everyone except the detective, the murderer wins.
- If the detective identifies the murderer correctly, the detective and civilians win.
Strategic Tips:
- Murderer: Try to be as quiet as possible and make no sounds that could give away your position. Frequently change your location after a murder.
- Detective: Ask precise questions and listen carefully to sounds, which can offer clues to the murderer's location.
- Civilians: Avoid standing in groups or talking too much in the dark, as it may attract the murderer.
Special Notes:
- Safety first. Make sure the room is free of obstacles before starting the game to prevent injuries in the dark.
