Murder in the dark

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Mord im Dunkeln (also: Murderer and Detective ) is a well-known game for children's birthdays , which, meaningfully, cannot take place outdoors. At least five children and, in order not to spoil the fun of the game, not more than about 15 children should take part. Since the game contains some scary effects and requires a certain communication skills, the children should be older than ten years. A game master can support the game.

Game idea

The children are in an imaginary discotheque. While they are dancing, a "murder" occurs. A summoned specialist now tries to clear up the "crime" by questioning the witnesses .

The course of the game

The children are in a room the size of which should be such that everyone can move relatively easily and freely and do not bump into the furniture , which is all the more important because the room is darkened at the beginning of the game.

Typical notes from "Murder in the Dark"

Before doing this, however, everyone draws a piece of paper that identifies their role in the game to be kept secret . On the notes, for. B. tailor, hairdresser, nurse, etc. on it. A note is for the designated “murderer” and is usually marked either with this word, an “M” or a cross. The last piece of paper is reserved for the murder investigation specialist. This person can be designated as a commissioner , detective , police officer or in a similar way and marked accordingly on the piece of paper.

The "detective" or "policeman" now leaves the room and waits in front of the locked door. In the room itself, the music is now turned up and then the light is switched off. The task of the "murderer" is now to "kill" one of the other people in the dark according to a previously agreed qualitative sign . This can e.g. B. tapping three times on the shoulder or poking in the side. In any case, you shouldn't need a lot of force here, because the whole thing is just a game.

The one “killed” in this way indicates his “death” with a loud scream and his falling over. The scream should be loud enough that the "detective" waiting outside the door can hear it. He now enters the room and switches the light on and the music off. It is now his job to find out the "murderer" by questioning the witnesses.

He proceeds in such a way that he asks everyone in the room three times for their alibi . The dancers are now required to tell the investigator the same thing three times in each of the general rounds of questioning, while the murderer has to tell something different at least once. The investigator has to listen carefully to recognize the “murderer”. This also shows that this game is more suitable for smaller groups with younger children.

variants

  • As a variant, the game can also take place in such a way that the killer changes something in his appearance while dancing, a small but striking detail . The “detective” then has to memorize the other children exactly before leaving the room and unmask the “murderer” based on the change. Either way, the "dancers" should help the investigator through their behavior, i.e. not change anything in themselves or tell the same thing as an alibi every time, because after all, together with the "detective", they too have won if the right person is revealed as the "murderer" becomes. If this does not succeed, the "murderer" has won the game.
  • When Blink is a social game , which also uses a "detective" the "murderer" must locate. Before the start of the game, the detective is sent out of the room and the remaining players agree on a murderer. Then the detective is called in. During the game, the characters move through the room or stand opposite each other in a circle. If the murderer blinks at a teammate, he falls "dead" to the ground. The detective has to try to identify the killer while keeping the number of victims as low as possible.

Web links

swell

  • Johanna Preetorius: Knaurs Spielbuch page 242 under conversation games, Munich 1953.