Let's put on a show!

Announcements of activities and events in CDS.

Moderator: SC Moderators

User avatar
Patroklus Murakami
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1929
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:54 pm

Let's put on a show!

Post by Patroklus Murakami »

A few of us were talking the other day about having a bit of fun in Neufreistadt/Colonia Nova. Our thoughts turned to using Colonia Nova or Neufreistadt as a backdrop for some kind of participatory theatre. Both sims have a unique atmosphere that would be a great setting for a story that a group of people create together. I recall that a while back, on the old Linden Forums, there was an idea to use Neufreistadt as the backdrop for a murder mystery event. Jon also mentioned the idea of having a partially scripted 'play' where the 'actors' would have to improv their way from scene to scene and audience members could take part too.

So if you'd like to get together to kick some ideas around and settle on a plan for something fun to do, please come to:

**Please note new date for meeting**
[b:23evqzyb]Neufreistadt Church[/b:23evqzyb] on
[b:23evqzyb]Sunday 29 Oct [/b:23evqzyb]at [b:23evqzyb]3pm[/b:23evqzyb] SLT.

Last edited by Patroklus Murakami on Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Chicago Kipling
Passionate Protagonist
Passionate Protagonist
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:07 pm

Post by Chicago Kipling »

Great idea! I'm not sure I'll be able to make it, but I really like the concept and look forward to hearing the outcomes of the meeting.

A good photograph is like a good hound dog, dumb, but eloquent. ~ Eugene Atget
User avatar
Patroklus Murakami
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1929
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:54 pm

Post by Patroklus Murakami »

I've been doing a bit of research and managed to find some information on murder mystery games. All of the ones I've selected below are available for purchase and download over the intarweb so would require minimal effort to turn into an event. I couldn't find any free ones unfortunately. I don't want to railroad the discussion down one track, there are other ideas we could decide to run with, but here are some to get the discussion going.

The following games are available on the websites referenced below.

[b:9nz4g69h]Murder Made Merry[/b:9nz4g69h]
[url:9nz4g69h]http://www.murder-mystery-party-game.com/games_list.php[/url:9nz4g69h]

[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Fashionably Dead[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
Setting: A party at a popular Fashion Magazine
Number of Players: 5-12+
Plot: When Blair Hilliard, the world famous fashion designer, comes home after taking the European fashion industry by storm, she could never suspect that someone would want her dead.  Is it jealousy, revenge, misogyny or some dark secret that has put her life in peril? Somewhere in Viceburgh, USA, the publishers of the fashion magazine "The Fashion Paige" are hosting a party celebrating the release of its 50th issue.  Started just over four years ago by a husband-and-wife team, the magazine has seen amazing success and has become the hottest fashion magazine in the business.  The magazine has a reputation of propelling some designers and models to the highest realms of success -- while crushing the hopes and dreams of others with equal ease.  ??All the magazine's management and staff have gathered for the party to celebrate their success.  Though everyone seems pleasant and cheerful on the surface, things are not as joyous as they seem.  Dark souls sometimes lurk behind beautiful faces, and the kindest eyes can harbor the most dreadful deeds.  In this case, the deed is murder.??So prepare for an evening of murder, mystery, mayhem, and merriment.  You may soon find yourself "Fashionably Dead".
US$20

[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Storm of '76[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
Setting: The year is 1976 and outside the Hayden Mansion a terrible storm is brewing.
Ideal number of players: 5-13+
Plot: Millionaire playboy Herman Hayden has made a lot of enemies over the years.  Now, on a dark and stormy night, all of his past evils will come back to haunt him.  This one has it all ... addiction, prostitution, blackmail, bastard children, corruption and all manner of excess.?On the night of one of the worst storms in Viceburgh history, a particularly gripping and surprising murder will take place.  ??Storm of ’76 is a story of corruption, greed, lust, revenge, and addiction that is not for the faint of heart.
US$20

[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Prescription for Murder[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
Setting: Company party for Quantum Phamaceutical Corporation
Ideal Number of Players: 5-12+
Plot: The miracle drug created by Quantum Pharmaceutical Corporation for the fight against cancer may not be all it is cracked up to be.  Rumors of addiction, falsified claims and inhumane animal testing permeate the halls of the company.  When the Vice President of Sales is murdered, is there a cover-up or are there more dastardly forces at work??One of the major businesses in Viceburgh, Quantum Pharmaceutical Corporation (QPC), is throwing a party to help celebrate the approval of its newest drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The drug, known as RCT-5A, has proven effective in curing lung cancer, and the company anticipates millions of dollars of sales within the first few months.  Everyone is very excited about this new drug and sees the future of QPC as bright and prosperous ... all but ONE. 
US$20
--------------------------------------------------------------
[b:9nz4g69h]Murder Mystery Games[/b:9nz4g69h]
[url:9nz4g69h]http://www.murdermysterygames.co.uk/[/url:9nz4g69h]

[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]The Reading of the Will[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
6-8 players
The Duke of Felthorpe has suffered a tragic accident while locked in his bathroom. Was his death as innocent as it seemed? And will his last will and testament remain challenged?
The Reading of the Will is a ‘sealed room’ murder mystery. When the Duke of Felthorpe is found dead in his bath, everything suggests that his death was accidental. The room was locked from the inside and, to gain entry, the door had to be broken down. So surely no one could have got in there and killed him!
Everyone taking part plays a character who is here for the reading of the duke’s Last Will and Testament. The contents of the will are a surprise to almost all of them. So why did the duke make these last-minute changes? Was he being blackmailed? Was he mad? Should this will be thrown out – and replaced with an earlier one? The murder mystery usually takes place during a meal. Fresh clues are introduced as the plot gradually unravels and evidence of murder emerges. One of the characters is the duke’s butler – did he do it? Or was it the duke’s maid? His idiot son? His idiot son’s scheming wife? By the time all is revealed, everyone will have had a great time playing their parts, working out whodunnit and trying to prevent other people accusing them.
£20 (approx US$35)

[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Murder at Farthingay Manor[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
6 players
"Murder at Farthingay Manor" is a murder mystery for 6 people, all of whom are given a character in the plot. They have been invited to attend a country house weekend in England in August, 1924. They do not know their host, Lord Farthing. They do not know each other. So why were they invited? As the plot unfolds, they gradually find out… The characters include a vicar, a nun, a countess and a butler. All, of course, have dark secrets to hide. But who is the murderer? How is the King of Ruritania involved? And how many characters survive till the end?
£20 (approx US$35)
-------------------------------------------------------
[b:9nz4g69h]Dinner and a Murder[/b:9nz4g69h]
[url:9nz4g69h]http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/[/url:9nz4g69h]

[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Murder At The Four Deuces[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
A rip roaring 1920's gangster murder mystery party game with lots of murder, bribery & back stabbing to be had.
10-20 players
This game is loosly based on some of the very first Chicago & New York Gangsters, their rivalries, speakeasies and love lives. Al Capone was just moving up in the 'Family'.

Don Wannabe is hosting a grand opening celebration for his new speakeasy The Four Deuces and you are invited to attend. The Four Deuces is a lavish joint serving booze and music in the front. In the back is the game room and upstairs is a very high class and exclusive brothel. The cream and not so cream of society will be here. With gangsters, hit men, politicians, opera singers, molls, flappers and many other interesting guests in attendance there are sure to be a lot of big deals being made here tonight.
US$ 39

[i:9nz4g69h][b:9nz4g69h]The Immortal Murders[/b:9nz4g69h][/i:9nz4g69h]
Political Intrigue among the Vampyr Houses, Mage Guild, Were Clans & the Fae Court. Not your normal ghouls & goblins!
8-20 players
It is time for the Hidden Councils Annual Costume Ball. It is the social event of the year. The Royal Courts of the Mage, Were, Vampyr & Fae will be in attendance. It is whispered that there will also be a special meeting of the Hidden Council to address the recent Watcher murders. Watchers are important to the Immortals and help keep their existence hidden from humanity. The Immortals in turn have sworn to protect the Watchers for their service.
We think you will be really pleased with the additional activities we have added to this unusual game! It is a little different then our previous games in the following ways: In this game there will be 5 Artifact Weapon Cards. The host will get instructions on where to hide these. Then at a certain time guests will get riddles that will be clues to where the weapons are hidden, then it is a race to see who finds a weapon. The weapons can only be used once & no one can commit murder without a weapon card. These will be very valuable commodities.
Next we will have 20 Spell Cards. Each guest gets to draw one from a hat. If there are any cards left over after the draw guests will roll dice and the highest rollers get the cards! 10 spell cards are helpful game wise & the other 10 are funny spells that will provide a lot of entertainment.
US$39

[i:9nz4g69h][b:9nz4g69h]The Santa Clause[/b:9nz4g69h][/i:9nz4g69h]
A contemporary murder mystery game that takes place at the Christmas Party of the law firm Lie, Cheat & Steal. With this many lawyers & politicians involved there is sure to be plenty of back stabbing going around.
10-15 players
It's time for the annual Christmas Party for the law firm Lie, Cheat and Steal, a powerhouse law firm with influential ties to business, government and politics. This party is one that everyone is just dying to attend. Quite literally that is. Mr. A. Big Scam, who was the next in line to become Partner in the firm, was found stuffed up his chimney in the Santa suit he was going to wear to the party!
Someone leaked a statement to the press stating that Mr. Lie will be announcing his retirement and replacement at the party tonight. With Mr. Scam dead who will be the one to get this lofty and very sought after partnership?
Note: While there is a murder that takes place before the game, in keeping with our standards there is also a murder that takes place at the party.
US$39

User avatar
Chicago Kipling
Passionate Protagonist
Passionate Protagonist
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:07 pm

Post by Chicago Kipling »

The only other thought that's floating around in my head is that there have been other events like this in SL before. I wonder if we could make use and then improve upon their efforts with their help.

A good photograph is like a good hound dog, dumb, but eloquent. ~ Eugene Atget
User avatar
Tad Peckham
Casual contributor
Casual contributor
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:47 am

Post by Tad Peckham »

i wont be able to attend the meeting today, but i do like the idea of nfs hosting a murder mysetery party. the gangster mystery looked quite good in my opinion, and it also allowed for a large number of players if interest is high.

The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of an expanding bureaucracy.
User avatar
Patroklus Murakami
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1929
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:54 pm

Too short notice?

Post by Patroklus Murakami »

I guess this was too short notice for everybody, I spent a lonely fifteen minutes in the Church yesterday then logged off :(

I'll try again same next week, details in the first post in this thread. Feel free to continue the debate on what we should do in the meantime here.

User avatar
Tad Peckham
Casual contributor
Casual contributor
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:47 am

Post by Tad Peckham »

i will do my best to be there. sorry i couldn't make it yesterday.

The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of an expanding bureaucracy.
User avatar
Chicago Kipling
Passionate Protagonist
Passionate Protagonist
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:07 pm

Post by Chicago Kipling »

Sadly, my time in they city is quite sporadic and often at times not friendly to our European friends so most of my contributions will be here.

What do you see as the next step?

A good photograph is like a good hound dog, dumb, but eloquent. ~ Eugene Atget
User avatar
Ashcroft Burnham
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1093
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:21 pm

Post by Ashcroft Burnham »

Perhaps people who cannot make the meeting(s) could be encouraged to suggest ideas on the forums?

Ashcroft Burnham

Where reason fails, all hope is lost.
Brian Livingston
Veteran debater
Veteran debater
Posts: 213
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:19 pm

Post by Brian Livingston »

I'll be there :)

--BL

User avatar
Patroklus Murakami
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1929
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:54 pm

Thanks to everyone who came

Post by Patroklus Murakami »

Thanks to everyone who came to the meeting last Sunday. We decided the following:

The event is on! We're going to get 'Storm of 76' and see if it can be adapted to Colonia Nova's theme and era (Storm of 76C.E.?)

We're going to form a group for the Murder Mystery event and possibly ongoing participatory-theatre type events. We're open to suggestions for the name - "Second Life Players", "CDS Community Theatre", "CDS Players", "Amateur Drahmatics" have all been suggested. Please post your ideas here. We thought that we might charge say L$250-1000 to join the group to pay for the cost of materials.

We're going to approach the FFRC for funding to offset some of the costs of putting it on.

I think that was it. More news when we have it.

User avatar
Ashcroft Burnham
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1093
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:21 pm

Post by Ashcroft Burnham »

I like the name, "CDS players".

Ashcroft Burnham

Where reason fails, all hope is lost.
User avatar
Chicago Kipling
Passionate Protagonist
Passionate Protagonist
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:07 pm

Post by Chicago Kipling »

Do we have any Germanic names? I don't know the language well, but it seems culture is our strong selling point.

A good photograph is like a good hound dog, dumb, but eloquent. ~ Eugene Atget
User avatar
Patroklus Murakami
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1929
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:54 pm

Post by Patroklus Murakami »

I've set up the 'CDS Players' as an open enrollment group and sent invites to (most of) the people who've expressed an interest.

The group costs L$250 to join, enrollment fees will be used to pay for game materials. I intent to apply for an FFRC grant to subsidise the first performance (and possibly seek sponsorship from N'stadt businesses).

User avatar
Patroklus Murakami
Forum Wizard
Forum Wizard
Posts: 1929
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:54 pm

UPDATE

Post by Patroklus Murakami »

This is a quick update to let people know what's happening.

I applied for a grant from the Foundation for Rich Content and got L$2000. I've purchased the materials and am considering how to adapt them to SL and the Colonia Nova theme. This could take a bit of time. If anyone would like to help with that them IM me inworld (but it would probably mean you couldn't take part in the event, except as an extra as you'd know the plot :().

That's all for now.

Post Reply

Return to “Events in CDS”