Pre-covid, the thought of running anything online was… weird. Work from home days were what sales teams did to catch up on "admin" and… that was it. Post-covid, remote and hybrid working are a massive part of the business world.
But, it created its own issues. Mainly, how do you build a team and culture with people who are never in the same room?
Thus, virtual team building events became more popular, alongside weekly check-ins and online socials.
It's the exact reason why we offer virtual and hybrid events alongside the in-person ones. The challenge for us was two fold: how do we keep it environmentally friendly, and how do we keep the cost down? Given the price of postage is going through the roof, sending out 50 evidence packs soon ramps the cost up.
Here's how we did it.
The tech side
We built a web app. Everyone gets a link, logs in, and has access to all the evidence, clues, and character information they need.
No downloads. No installing anything. Works on phones, tablets, laptops. If your browser works, the game works.
The session runs over Zoom (or Teams, or whatever your company uses). Our host runs the main room, actors pop in and out for interrogations, and teams use breakout rooms for their discussions.
What about the acting?
Still happens. Our actors perform live on camera. They're in costume, in character, answering questions in real time.
It's different to being in the same room, obviously. But it works. The interrogations are often more focused because people can't rely on body language as much. They have to listen. They have to be specific with their questions. Their communication skills are really put to the test.
The logistics
You send us a guest list and we jump on a call to assign people into teams (unless you already know who you want where) and pick a captain for each team. Ahead of the event, we send everyone a Rules and Tips sheet, which explains how the mystery will work, and how to use the web-app, and the link to join the call.
On the day when everyone is present and correct, we put the game link and the login code in the chat. They enter their name, join and get assigned to the right team.
Before we start, we explain the rules again, and put them into their breakout rooms. The web-app controls everything from our side, allows them to take notes, request interviews and communicate with us as hosts, as well as logging their theories, and lets teams collaborate even when they're in different breakout rooms.
We handle the tech. Your team just needs to turn up.
Hybrid events
This is where it gets interesting.
Say you've got 40 people in the office and 20 working remotely. We can run a single event where everyone plays together.
The in-person group gets actors in the room. The remote group get the actors on screen. The online teams use the web-app to co-ordinate with us, the in-person teams get physical evidence, but they all work on the same case, and compete against each other.
It takes more coordination, but it solves the problem of remote staff feeling like an afterthought.
Does it work as well as in-person?
It's different.
In-person events have energy that's hard to replicate on a screen. The chat between tables, the nervous laughter, the way people lean in when something dramatic happens.
Virtual events are more focused and intense. Less ambient noise, more direct conversation. Whereas in person we'll have props to set the scene, it's not something we can replicate online. Some teams prefer it. Quieter team members often find it easier to contribute when they're not competing with the loudest voice in the room.
We'd always recommend in-person if everyone can be in the same place. But if your team is spread out, virtual works. It's not a compromise. It's just a different format.
What you need from your end
A guest list with email addresses. Two hours of everyone's time.
That's it. We do the rest.
If you're thinking about a virtual event, get in touch and we can talk you through the options.