I have been tasked with coming up with a game for a Boy Scout Pack Meeting in March. They said the theme needs to be along the lines of the scouts being "Investigators". They suggested a Clue type game but were open to me exploring any game type. I wanted to get your ideas. I was thinking an escape room style game like Unlock! or something like Spy Club (Kickstarter from late 2017). Obviously a more simple and accessible game since the kids are 8-11 years old. Not to mention I've only got 2 months until the game needs to be ready!
Investigator game for Boy Scout Pack Meeting
Mon, 01/22/2018 - 20:44
Mon, 01/22/2018 - 21:24
#1
Why not ADAPT "Mafia"???
Yeah I had the idea of adapting "Mafia"!!! That's the first thing that pop-ed into my head...
We ALL know that "adapting" "Mafia" is a REAL thing. Ted Alspach did an bang-up job with "Werewolf"... I'm sure you could use "Mafia" and make it less gruesome ... But yeah adapting that game could be EASIER and DOABLE in 2 months too...
You've got the "framework" all that remains is ADAPTATION!
Tell me what you think?!
Cheers mate...
Note: You could also take a look at "Secret Hitler" which uses similar mechanics... Mafia might be more adaptable ... But "Secret Hitler" may give you other ideas too. If you like the idea, feel free to explore the games in that genre (Like Ultimate Werewolf or Secret Hitler)...
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/maxtemkin/secret-hitler
Mon, 01/22/2018 - 22:06
#2
Or for a more card based game...
...Try a variant on Purrlock Holmes
Though I also think Mafia makes a good base for a troop. I used it with a Girl Scout troop of 8 year olds, and it was a blast (Make sure you give the dead players something to do or they may get feisty!)
Mon, 01/22/2018 - 22:23
#3
Another comment...
.(Make sure you give the dead players something to do or they may get feisty!)
Instead of "dying" you could "take away their detective badges" and they become "normal people" (whatever you decide this is...) Perhaps they can "work" with detectives but aren't the ones that "call the shots" UNLESS they get "promoted" by capturing one of the "crime lords"...
Again just "ideas" showing you how you could adapt mafia. Boy Scouts are usually wilderness-oriented ... You'd have to find a good setting. This is just a quick example I cited to explain how to give "dead" players something to do in the game...
Sort of a "demotion/promotion" mechanic... Which means NOBODY is out of the game until the very end...
Cheers mate!
Tue, 01/23/2018 - 12:18
#5
The Resistance
Another possible alternative for a social deduction game would be to use the game The Resistance or The Resistance: Avalon. However, for a pack meeting, that wouldn't really get the parents and other leaders involved.
Instead, I suggest you get your hands on a murder mystery game (you can rent them from board game shops for pretty cheap), and pick a number of attendees (parents/leaders) to represent the various characters. Then, instead of having the people with roles try to figure things out, let the scouts do the questioning and figure it out, based on their responses/acting. This would also be a good way to get the parents involved and excited to attend pack meetings (because that's always something that could be improved).
Tue, 01/23/2018 - 13:17
#6
I'm really glad you mentioned
I'm really glad you mentioned getting parents involved. I have been too focused on the involvement of the Scouts that i didn't even think about the others who would be in attendance. I think that's a really valuable aspect to consider!
Thanks!
Wow! Lots of good ideas! Social deduction could be a fun and cost effective route for sure.