Social Deduction Games and Party Games: The Complete Reference
A complete list of social deduction and party games, filterable by player count and time. Includes recommendations from a game designer.
Guides
Everything we've written about hosting: murder mystery parties, Halloween games, social deduction, and the planning that makes a night work. Written by a working game designer, playtested at real tables.
Murder Mystery Party Kits for Adults: A Designer's Complete Guide
How to choose a murder mystery party kit for adults based on the people who are actually coming, from a designer who has played and built games across the whole spectrum.
All guides
Christmas Murder Mystery Games For Your Holiday Party
Anyone looking for something fun to do this holiday season would benefit from a Christmas murder mystery party game. Here are boxed sets and free games.
The Best Party Games by Group Size
The best party games are fun to watch even if you aren't playing. A game designer's picks for two players, small groups, and nine or more, from Mao to Werewolf.
39 Classic Christmas Party Games (From a Game Designer)
Christmas Party Games for all ages including easy-to-run options that work at the office or holiday party. Sort by size or setting.
Parlor Games: What They Are and the Best Ones to Play
What parlor games are, and the best ones to play in a single room: Mao, Inhuman Conditions, Encore, charades, Snap Dragon, and modern parlor larps, too.
Party Games for Large Groups (Nine or More Players)
The best party games I've tried for large groups of nine or more: Werewolf, Charades, Fibbage, Mao, the hat game, and trivia, plus the Mao rules we played by.
Halloween Games for Teens
While Halloween games are important, the much more important part of creating a Halloween party people enjoy is creating the right vibe for it. Games I've played.
What Is A Larp, Exactly? A Guide for Tabletop Players
Larping traditionally means playing a character at a live-action roleplaying (LARP) event. It can also mean pretending. Here's what to know before you jump in.
The Best Social Deduction Games by Group Size
The best social deduction games by group size, from two players up to a full table, picked by a game designer who has run them at conventions for years.
Halloween Party Games for Adults
A game designer's Halloween party games for adults: Snap Apple, Snap Dragon, Dread, Crypt Kickers, and Fortunes, with setup, fire safety, and run times.
What to Expect at a Murder Mystery Party
What to expect at a murder mystery party, from a game designer, host, and guest: how characters work, how much prep, and whether you have to act.
Why I Use Artifacts in Games
An artifact game gives players something tangible and on-theme to interact with. Here's what artifact games are, why they work, and where to find them.
Family Reunion Games That Actually Get People Talking
Family reunion games from a working game designer: icebreakers, a hilarious price-guessing game, genealogy trivia, outdoor picks, and free printable options.
Halloween Party Games for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Halloween party games from a working game designer: Snap Apple, Snap Dragon, fortune telling, a tarot game for teens, and outdoor games for big crowds.
How to Write a Murder Mystery Party
Start with the setting, then write the culprit. A game designer walks through writing your own murder mystery party, using the one he's playtesting next week.
How to Plan a Murder Mystery Party (Games, Planning, Recs)
A game designer's guide to planning a murder mystery party, from small friend groups to full LARPs. Themes, player counts, safety cues, and games that work.
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