How to Host a Virtual Murder Mystery Party on a Video Call

A virtual murder mystery party needs two things: a call so everyone can talk, and a game everyone can see without squinting at someone else's shared screen. ColdCase Party handles the second part. One person opens a room in the browser, everyone else joins on their own phone or laptop with a room code, and the whole group works the same case while you argue on the call. Nobody downloads anything, guests never pay, and the first objective of Canvas of Death is free, so you can try it before the party.

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What you need

  • A video or voice call: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Discord, FaceTime, or a group phone call.
  • A device with a browser for each player. Phones work. A laptop makes the evidence easier to read.
  • One host to open the room, share the code, and pay $4.99 once for the case. Guests play free.
  • About an hour.

How to run it, step by step

  1. Pick the case ahead of time. For a first game, start with Canvas of Death, where the first objective is free, or The Funhouse Finale. Both are rated Easy.
  2. Start the call, then open the room. Open a room on coldcaseparty.com and paste the room code or link into the call chat.
  3. Everyone joins on their own screen. Players open the link on their phone or laptop and pick a detective name. Keep the call and the game side by side, or put the call on the TV and the game on your phone.
  4. Read clues out loud. The case goes better when people read what they find to the group instead of reading silently.
  5. Accuse together. Before anyone submits the accusation in the game, have everyone say their pick on the call. No changing votes after.
  6. Reveal on the call. After you solve the case, the solution appears for everyone in the room at once, so the reaction happens live.

Want the case on the big screen?

Join the room on a phone or laptop, then open TV Mode from that joined device. Cast or connect that device to the TV, and the group can follow the case together while everyone still plays on their own device.

Zoom, Teams, Discord or FaceTime

Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The easiest setup for groups that already use them. With more than one room, use breakout rooms so each group can argue in private, then bring everyone back for the reveal.

Discord. Use a voice channel for each room and drop the room code in a text channel. Good for friend groups that already game together.

FaceTime or a group phone call. Fine for small groups and family. If you can, join the call on one device and play on another, so the game isn't fighting the call for screen space.

Bigger group? Split into rooms

Each room is built for 2-8 players. With more people, open a second room on the same case and compare verdicts at the end. For work events, team packages give squad captains a private link and cover groups up to 75.

Playing with family or friends in other cities

Everyone joins the same room from wherever they are, so the case plays the same across time zones. Planning a holiday call? See holiday party games and the Christmas murder mystery.

Online or a printed kit?

A printed party kit means someone has to email PDFs, assign characters and get everyone to read their booklet before the call. Online, the only thing you send is a room code. If your group will be around one table and wants paper in hand, see the printable murder mystery kits.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need to share a screen?

No. Every player sees the case on their own device, and the shared evidence updates in real time.

Can people play on their phones?

Yes. The game runs in any modern browser on phones, tablets and laptops. Nothing to install.

How many people can join one room?

Each room is built for 2-8 players. Each case page lists the best group size for that case.

Which video call app works best?

Any of them. The game runs in the browser separately from the call, so use whatever your group already has.

How long does a virtual murder mystery take?

Canvas of Death takes 30-40 min. Each case page lists its time.

Is it free?

The first objective of Canvas of Death is free. A full case costs the host $4.99 once, and guests always play free.