Static & Silence: A Halloween Broadcast Mystery
A murder mystery party game for 6–14 players · For adults · 2–3 hours · Play on phones or print · From $29.95
The show must go on... even if the sponsor can't!
The story
Halloween night, 1938. The airwaves of WCKR are alive with the chilling tales of 'The Haunting Hour.' But tonight, the drama spills from the script into reality when station sponsor Mortimer "Morty" Gable is found dead in the control booth during a scheduled blackout. With the broadcast forced to continue to avoid mass hysteria, the cast and crew are trapped within the station, realizing a murderer walks among them. As the spectral voices weave their tales of horror, a far more sinister mystery unfolds. Can you unmask the killer hidden in plain sight, decipher the cryptic clues hidden within the broadcast, and keep the show from descending into true terror before the final act concludes, or will you all become part of the night's most horrifying broadcast yet? The static crackles with secrets, and the silence screams of murder. Tune in... if you dare.
Setting: The WCKR Art Deco radio station, a charmingly vintage establishment in a small town, filled with the spooky ambiance of Halloween night, 1938. Imagine glowing Bakelite microphones, a prominent 'ON AIR' sign casting a red hue, a foley table stocked with sound-making props like creaking doors and coconut-shell hoofbeats, all bathed in pumpkin-orange and tube-amber lighting. It's a scene of wholesome Americana, now tinged with the unsettling static of murder.
The characters
- Coralia "Cora" Albright, Radio Drama Star: Everyone in town adores Coralia. She's the picture of wholesome American womanhood, a talented actress whose on-air persona is as captivating as it is pure…
- Lars Latham, Lead Actor: As the leading man of 'The Haunting Hour', Lars Latham is the star attraction. His voice is renowned, and his stage presence, even when unseen, is magnetic…
- Mabel "Mabs" Cartwright, Sound Effects Artist: Mabel is the station's resident creative wizard, the one who conjures the creaks, groans, and ghostly moans that make WCKR's broadcasts so captivating. Her…
- Emmett Ashby, Station Announcer: Emmett Ashby is the quintessential radio voice – smooth, reliable, and always in control. He’s seen as the station’s polished frontman, always impeccably…
- Winifred Pell, Radio Playwright: Winifred is the revered creative mind behind WCKR's most celebrated productions. Her sharp intellect and artistic vision are well-known, and she's often seen…
- Arthur Pembroke, Station Manager: Arthur Pembroke is the quiet backbone of WCKR, the man who ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. His colleagues see him as dependable, diligent…
Optional characters for bigger parties
- Chet Holloway, Studio Audio Engineer: Chet Holloway is the technical ear of WCKR, balancing levels and microphone feeds from the master audio desk. He is practical, calm under pressure, and…
- Beatrice "Bea" Davenport, Station Board Member: Beatrice Davenport is a prominent civic patron and major shareholder of WCKR. She attends annual signature broadcasts to ensure station productions uphold…
- Archie Higgins, Foley Stage Assistant: Archie Higgins is Mabel Cartwright's enthusiastic assistant on the sound effects stage. He handles mechanical noisemakers, door slams, and weather effects.
- Evelyn Reed, Switchboard Operator: Evelyn Reed manages WCKR's telephone switchboard, routing calls between the production offices, sponsor lounges, and listener call lines. She knows every…
- Dr. Thaddeus Gray, Visiting Medical Officer: Dr. Thaddeus Gray is a respected community physician invited to the station tonight as a guest of the sponsors. He is quiet, clinical, and dignified.
- Delilah "Dee" Fontaine, Commercial Jingle Singer: Delilah Fontaine provides the melodic, harmonious commercial tunes that break up WCKR's dramatic programming. She is cheerful, stylish, and known for her…
- Robin Finch, Master Electrician: Robin Finch is WCKR's master electrician and facilities caretaker, responsible for maintaining transformers, stage lights, and building power grids.
- Clara Thornton, Syndicated Radio Columnist: Clara Thornton writes a popular regional entertainment column covering radio drama and theater. Her sharp reviews can elevate a broadcast or doom it to…
What's included
- The Game Room: run every round, clue, accusation and the final reveal from your phone, tablet or TV
- Invitations with RSVP, and a private character page sent to each guest
- Narrator audio for each round
- A host guide and a printable kit if you prefer paper
Price by party size
- 6 players: $29.95
- 8 players: $43.95
- 10 players: $57.95
- 12 players: $71.95
- 14 players: $85.95
Up to 200 people can play in large group mode, with detective teams and an event license: see murder mystery events for 15–200 guests.
Questions
How many people can play?
6 to 14 players. The 6 main characters are included for $29.95; add up to 8 more at $7.00 each ($43.95 for 8, $71.95 for 12, $85.95 for 14).
Can a large group play?
Yes. In large group mode some guests play the characters and everyone else joins detective teams, up to 200 people. Large group mode comes with a Non-profit or Business license.
Do I need to print anything?
No. Guests get their characters and clues on their phones, and the host runs each round, the accusations and the reveal from the Game Room, with narrator audio and a TV mode. A printable kit is included if you prefer paper.
How long does the game take?
About 2–3 hours, played over several rounds, usually alongside dinner or drinks.
How soon can I start?
Straight away. The game appears in My Games right after checkout, where you can send invitations and assign characters.
Adult murder mystery games | Murder mystery events for large groups | Browse all murder mystery games | How it works