A Book of Creeps & Haunts
$12.95
Costume Ball | Virtual Halloween Non-Murder
$49.95
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Write a Review
Costume Ball | Virtual Halloween Non-Murder
A fun family Halloween non-murder, virtual mystery party for 8-10 players (and you can play with only 6-7 by viewing an optional host character list), ages 11 and up. There is an available expansion pack (purchased separately) to expand to up to 15 character roles. This game takes about 2 hours to play and may also be played face-to-face with a small group. This is the instant download version of the game - no shipping fees, no waiting, no hassle. This murder mystery game was formatted to play on Zoom or other video chat - you send each player a PDF file before the game and meet up virtually to play!
Note: at least one player will need internet access and a mobile device to search for information for the challenges.
Click here to review the details regarding the challenge level - This game was updated on 08/04/2021
Helpful Links:
Host character list- Free, printable invitation
- Murder Mystery Prop Emporium
- 5 character Expansion pack - Purchase separately
- Direct your guests here - the corresponding pre-game site at Your Mystery Party
Mystery Synopsis:
Autumn Falls is famous for the Fabulous Falls Costume Ball. This year, the stakes are on the line. The lucky winner of the contest will be awarded a gift certificate to the Algernon clothing store, a gift certificate to the Ravenswood Chocolate Factory, a private tour for ten to Gracey's Haunted House, and a trophy made of pure gold - donated from the eccentric billionaire, Mr. M, that won last year by wearing a functional, twelve-foot android costume. Participants should not fret, though. Mr. M is judging this year.
Not only is pride on the line for returning competitors, but this year has been full of boasting and bragging about costumes-to-be on social media, radio talk shows, and via appearances on the local morning news on television. You have been working on your Halloween costume since last year's event. You have secured your ticket to the party and have registered for the costume contest. This is where your story begins.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- Host instruction file - including bonus games to play virtually, player instructions, and a timeline sheet (abbreviated instructions) for your event.
- Optional to use: checklists for the host.
- 10 character packets (PDF files) to send to your players in advance of the party. They include instructions, a character bio, suspect list, and three rounds of game play (optional pre-game, round one materials, round two materials).
- Solution keys for the game - host can play along without spoiling the game.
- Editable text field player contact sheet for pre-game tasks.
- Three videos:
- Two Mayor Wednesday videos to keep the game moving for round one and two - it's a video of Mayor Wednesday with captions and back-up transcript.
- One solution video - it's a video of Mayor Wednesday telling the solution to the mystery.
- Free invitation (optional to use)
- Free pre-game website (optional, but suggested)
- Alternate endings file - end your players' story with style.
- Optional host character list that narrows down to 6 required players. Do not view unless you're playing with less than 8.
If you wish to host this (or any other) game for profit, you will need a commercial license - click here.
- Minimum age:
- 11 and up for difficulty.
- Difficulty rating:
- Moderate, 4/10
- Gender of players:
- Flexible
- Number of players:
- 8 to 10 (can be played with 6-7 - you're given an optional host character list for 6 to view).
- Expansion pack/Expandable?:
- 5 character expansion pack (purchased separately.) Also, can add more players as spectators and can cast Mayor Wednesday, if you so choose. With the expansion pack, you are given a spectator file for those who wish to play along - add as many as you
- Length of game:
- 1 to 2.5 hours with an average of 2 hours.
- Date of publication:
- August 2020
Reviews
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A wonderful family zoom the night before Halloween
We had a great time!!! I ordered this game to play online with the family the night before Halloween. There were 2 teens and a 7-year-old, 6 adults from Gen X / Y, and two boomer grandparents. Everyone had a role, with the youngest sharing a role with his dad. It was great fun for all. To be sure everyone really got into character, I sent each one a $10 Amazon gift card about three weeks before game date, to order a hat or mask or other prop. All were very imaginative. Everyone set up virtual backgrounds to fit the theme. Then I asked everyone to text or email their pre-game messages the week before game date. Finally, October 30th arrived and the Costume Ball began. We had fun reading our parts and trying to stay in character. I was delighted to see my grand-daughters really take on their roles. Everyone participated in deciphering the clues and then we had a lengthy discussion of who done it. The family reviews were enthusiastic and this really worked well across the ages. I wanted to pass along to you that this zoom party really enlivened a pretty dismal Halloween season! It was truly a great family night game! A final note - My Mystery Party customer service is wonderful! Thanks Nancy!
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Fun for Halloween
We did this with a 9th grade Girl Scout troop. It was really a highlight of the week and made it seem like we didn’t really miss Halloween. I actually printed out all the materials for the girls and put them in sealed envelopes to be opened at the right time like it would be at an in-person party, so they wouldn’t have to toggle back and forth during the Zoom party. I also created a Fabulous Falls Party Box for each girl containing the aforementioned envelopes, plus a “promotional” item or gift from each of the various characters. Each item was sealed in an envelope and the girl who played that character got to “present” it to the group at the beginning of the party or at the break. At my invitation they asked the guests to pull their color-labeled envelope out of the box and open it while they made up something about it to promote their business or public opinion. Sour Patch Kids from the pumpkin farmer, Halloween nail art stickers including bats from the bat farmer, chocolates from the chocolatier, gummy worms (Save the Worms!) from the pet detective, gummy bears from the vigilante who shared a few little known laws with the guests in case they ever traveled to a different state (It’s illegal to wrestle a bear in Oklahoma!), a bag of pretzels with a haunted house on the packaging from the haunted house owner, chocolate coins from the astronaut who thought everyone should be a winner, and the ingredients for a hocus pocus lemonade that changes colors as the liquids mix together from the scientist. (They thought that one was especially cool! I included a glass and metal straw in their box with the two liquids in separate mini-water bottles. At break, they were asked to fill the glass 3/4 full of ice to be prepared.) They loved opening the envelopes and finding the surprises and working together to figure out the challenges! It was a good theme for Halloween and easy to come up with costumes from things around the house. I really liked the videos from Mayor Wednesday that kept the party moving along. We did not send the original trailer out, as my daughter and I thought the pre-game one from Mayor Wednesday was more clear. They really enjoyed the pre-game messaging which was a great way to get them started. We started that part the afternoon before when I emailed the pre-game instructions, since they would be in school Friday morning. We started the party with the girls introducing their characters and telling a little about their costumes which gave everyone an opportunity to appreciate the effort that went into their creations. Thank you to the My Mystery Party team! It was such a great way to connect and have a little variety and fun during this social distancing time.
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So much fun
My family has been doing a COVID friendly game nights for the past 7 months. We have been doing them via ZOOM weekly. This was such a great change of pace from our normal games. We had ages from 20's-70's, but everyone was able to follow along and enjoyed trying to solve the mystery. It was a great way to get into the Halloween spirit, but still social distancing!