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 we run our murder mysteries virtually. The challenge for us was twofold: keeping it environmentally friendly, and keeping 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, teams use breakout rooms for their discussions, and suspects are interviewed as teams request them.
What about the acting?
Still happens. Suspects are played either by professional actors live on camera, in costume and character and answering in real time, or by AI through the same web app. The investigation works the same way in both.
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.
Does it really work over video?
It does, and it plays differently to being in one room.
A virtual event is more focused and intense. Less ambient noise, more direct conversation. People have to listen and be specific with their questions. 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.
It's not a compromise. It's just a different format, and one that works wherever your team happens to be based.
What you need from your end
A guest list with email addresses. Up to three 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.