Variation on the Classic Board Game Clue
Solve the Motive for the Crime in a Modification of the Popular Game
Sep 28, 2009
Object of the Game
Players must devise a plausible scenario for how and why a murder was committed, given the murder weapon, the victim, and the murderer. The victim chooses the winning scenario based on plausibility, creativity, and appeal.
Game Pieces Needed
- A deck of standard playing cards (deck must be prepared ahead of time by marking one card with a red X across the front)
- A red taper
- Matches
- A vivid imagination
- A possible murder weapon for each player. Choose items from the list below or substitute common household items.
Player Items
- ballpoint pen
- set of keys
- book
- tea spoon
- walnut in the shell
- rubber band
- high-heeled shoe
- bottle of vanilla
Instructions
Each player must place his item in front of him. One player, known as the host, shuffles a deck of marked cards and deals until the entire deck is equally distributed. Each player must keep his hand secret. The person whose hand contains the card marked with the red X is the victim.
The host then lights the red taper and eliminates all other sources of light in the room. The red taper is passed from hand to hand twice around the circle of players as suspense builds. On the second time around the victim keeps and blows out the candle, thereby indicating that he has been attacked.
Everyone counts aloud to twenty. Then the host turns on the lights. During the moments of darkness the victim must identify the object he finds most intimidating, place his marked card on top of this object, and return to his seat before the lights appear. If he fails to return to his seat before lights up, he forfeits his one chance to accuse his attacker and the cards must be shuffled and dealt again.
When the lights come on all players can see which object functioned as the murder weapon. The player who owns this item is accused of the crime. The task of the remaining players, including the murderer, is to come up with a motive and scenario for how the attack happened. In other words, guessing the "why" and "how" of the murder mystery. In small groups each player should take a turn at solving the crime. In larger groups players can work as teams to create a scenario. The victim chooses the winning scenario. The game is over when all players have had a turn as the victim or when time prohibits.
This game functions best with a large group of players but can be played with a minimum of four. Enjoy this modification of a standard "whodunit" game.
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