Murder on the Rocks 🔪🍸A Crime-Solving Party Game

🔍 What is Murder on the Rocks

The night is young, the drinks are flowing, and danger lurks among the guests. Choose your character, form alliances, and uncover the truth—before it’s too late.

Every clue is cleverly concealed. Every sip brings you one step closer to the killer. In this game of misdirection and mystery, your instincts are your only ally—and time is running out.

Lies, Secrets & Cocktails

As the night unfolds, guests realize that their peers are being murdered one by one—but the victims leave behind cryptic clues from beyond the grave, offering hints about the killer’s identity.

Players must work together to decipher these clues before they become the murderer’s next target.

Cocktails play a pivotal role, determining each player’s fate. In the end, if the group correctly identifies the killer, their cocktail will turn green with envy—but if they’re wrong, the others will be the ones to turn envious as the killer escapes unscathed.

Not every scream is heard. Not every shadow is what it seems. Among you walks a killer, cloaked in charm and lies—watch closely, speak carefully, and pray you're not the next to fall.

🔑 Key Features

Put the Pieces Together Before It’s Too Late

Beneath the elegance lies deception. The ambiance isn’t just for show—it shapes the intrigue, the tension, and the secrets waiting to be revealed. Look closer. The answers are in plain sight… if you know where to look.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant and mysterious world of Murder on the Rocks through its stunning artwork. Each card and game piece is meticulously designed to capture the elegance and intrigue of a high-society masquerade ball, complete with intricate details and vivid imagery that bring the suspense to life.

The evidence lies in plain sight—scattered, twisted, and stained with secrets. Every card tells a story, but not all stories can be trusted. Piece it together wrong, and you won’t just doom the innocent… you’ll let a killer walk free.

It’s more than just a weapon—it’s a calling card, etched with the killer’s intent and soaked in silent menace. Every drop, every detail, speaks volumes if you dare to listen. Handle it carefully… or risk becoming the next name whispered in the dark corners of this twisted tale.

A Fatal Pour—Who Will Survive?

Every cocktail crafted is more than a drink—it’s a critical piece in the puzzle. Mix your drink carefully; it could reveal a hidden truth or bring you one sip closer to the killer.

With a sly hand, the killer pours the "murder weapon" into their chosen victim's drink before the blind dance ends. As the music plays and the room descends into chaos, the victim’s fate is sealed. Will they uncover the danger in time, or will the killer’s choice go unnoticed? Every pour is a gamble, every sip a step closer to survival—or demise.

Unique Packaging That Sets the Mood

Murder on the Rocks comes packaged in a sleek shaker glass, instantly immersing you in its cocktail-themed mystery. It’s not just a game—it’s an experience, beautifully designed to look stunning on your shelf and unforgettable on game night.

10 Distinct Characters—Who Will You Become?

Step into the world of Murder on the Rocks and take on the role of one of ten unique characters, each with their own motives, secrets, and connections to the crime. Will you play as the enigmatic storyteller, the rebellious musician, or the eccentric sculptor? Or perhaps the retired detective, the mysterious stranger, or the aspiring chef? Each character brings a different perspective, and their abilities may be the key to uncovering the truth—or deceiving the others.

Choose wisely, because in this game of murder, misdirection, and deduction, your role can make all the difference. Are you an innocent bystander trying to piece together the clues, or do you have something to hide? The choice is yours, but be careful—everyone has a past, and no one is without suspicion.

With rich backstories, hidden agendas, and immersive gameplay, every playthrough offers a new mystery to solve. Who will you become? Who can you trust? And most importantly… can you survive the night?

Dance in the Dark—Will You Survive the Killer’s Steps?

The masquerade comes alive with a blindfolded dance party. As music plays, players move in the dark while the murderer silently strikes. When the music stops, will you uncover their identity—or become the next victim?

Are You the Killer… or an Innocent Bystander?

Innocents must rely on their wits and alliances to decode cryptic clues and unmask the killer. But beware—every player has a hidden agenda, and trust is a luxury you can’t afford.

If you’re the murderer, your task is simple: blend in, mislead, and eliminate without revealing yourself. The dance floor can be deadly, and every cocktail poured could be your perfect cover.

Can you play your role without giving yourself away?

Draw Your Weapon—Is It Your Key to Survival or Your Downfall?

Every player receives their murder weapon, but beware—it may reveal your guilt or frame you for the crime. Use it wisely, or it could be the very evidence that leads to your undoing.

From mixing the Essence of Envy to analyzing what’s in your glass, every action builds tension and challenges your wits. Just like a perfectly crafted drink, this game strikes the perfect balance of complexity, creativity, and fun.

🔪 What's Included

🩸 New Blood Expansion

🍋 With a Twist Expansion

🎁 The Hidden Reserve Edition

📖 Drink Book

🧐 Pledge Tiers

🌟 Kickstarter Exclusives

🍸 Why Back Murder on The Rocks?

Play it First: Backers will be some of the first players in the world to get to play Murder on the Rocks.
Retail Uncertainty: While we're hopeful, there's no guarantee that Murder on the Rocks will be available in retail, especially in every country. Backing on Kickstarter is the best way to ensure you can get the game.
Supportive Small Businesses Directly: Kickstarter means more funds for small businesses. These funds allow us to expand the availability of Murder on the Rocks, keep making great games for you, and employ more talented artists and content creators.
Support Independent Game Development: Self publishing gives us full control over every aspect of the game. It means that we can bring you innovative, premium-quality games we know you’ll love—without having to compromise.
Kickstarter Exclusives: Selling directly to you via Kickstarter enables us to include upgraded and exclusive versions of the game and components that would be financially challenging/impossible to offer through traditional retail.
Discounted Price: We are passing off savings to you, and offering big discounts off expected MSRP for tiers above Standard. This is our way of saying thank you, and giving you access to Murder on the Rocks at the best prices possible.

🗣️ Reviews and Playtests

🎲 How to Play

Choose Your Role

Pick a unique character and receive a weapon and location card. A secret hidden role adds intrigue! Are you the murderer or are you innocent?

Mix the Fun

 Create a cocktail or mocktail, then place clue-filled vials in the center for added mystery.

Blind Dance Party

Crank up your favorite tunes and enjoy a blindfolded dance-off to set the mood!

Uncover the Killer

The murderer strikes! They leave cryptic clues for the victims to use as whispers to the living. The survivors must decode the victims' whispers left behind.

Survive and Vote

Work together (or not!) to identify the murderer and outlast the chaos!

Shake up the mystery, stir up the fun, and see if you can outwit the killer!

🏪 Retailer Pledge

Click the headline above to let us know! We’d love to hear from you and explore how we can bring our game to your store shelves. Fill out the quick form and we’ll be in touch with wholesale details and partnership opportunities.

➕ Add-Ons

Shot of Deception Mini Expansion

Add even more twists, traps, and treachery to your investigation!

The Shot of Deception Mini Expansion brings a fresh pour of mischief into Murder on the Rocks. With new clue cards and weapon cards, the investigation becomes even more unpredictable. Slip false evidence into the mix, cover your tracks, or send suspicion spiraling out of control. Perfect for players who crave extra chaos and cunning in their murder mystery nights!

Includes:

• 8 New Clue Cards
• 2 New Weapons

Specialty Printed Masks

Take your masquerade to the next level with beautifully printed masks!

Upgrade from the standard masks to our deluxe Printed Mask Set, featuring custom artwork designed to enhance the atmosphere of Murder on the Rocks.

Each mask is professionally printed with vivid designs to bring your characters—and their secrets—to life at the table. Whether you're slipping into the role of a charming socialite or a suspicious stranger, these printed masks make every accusation and alibi even more dramatic.

• 20 Premium Printed Character Masks
• Durable, lightweight for repeated play
• Elastic bands for easy, comfortable wearing

New Blood Expansion

Fresh faces, new motives, and even deadlier secrets.

The New Blood Expansion injects even more intrigue into Murder on the Rocks with brand-new characters, weapons, roles, and locations. Uncover fresh scandals, forge new alliances, and expose hidden agendas—but be careful, not everyone is who they claim to be. With New Blood, every game feels like a brand new investigation waiting to unfold.

With a Twist Expansion

Shake up your investigations with unexpected challenges and game-changing surprises.

The With a Twist Expansion adds a flavorful spin to Murder on the Rocks with new scenario cards that transform the way each game plays.
Each twist introduces new objectives, restrictions, and opportunities that will test your detective skills—and your loyalty to your fellow players. No two games will ever feel the same once you add a twist (or two) to the mix!

Additional Copy of Murder on the Rocks

One game is never enough when the mystery keeps pouring!

Need another set for gifts, game nights, or backup plans? Add extra copies of Murder on the Rocks to your pledge and spread the cocktail-fueled chaos to even more tables.
 

Each additional copy includes everything from the base game, ready to stir up new rounds of intrigue, deception, and deduction.

🔒 Stretch Goals

📅 Timeline

🚚 Shipping

We will be using Backerkit as our pledge manager to finalize your order and collect shipping and any applicable taxes. Shipping and fulfillment will be handled via multiple hubs around the world to help reduce overall costs and ensure a smoother delivery experience.

Due to the ongoing volatility of global shipping and manufacturing costs, shipping payments will not be collected during the Kickstarter campaign. Instead, these payments will be collected closer to the ship date via Backerkit, allowing us to offer the most accurate and up-to-date rates. This means you won’t be overcharged upfront, and we’ll be able to pass potential savings directly on to you.

Here’s how it will work:

Shortly after the campaign ends, you’ll receive an email from Backerkit (our pledge manager) to confirm your pledge and add any additional items or upgrades you may want.

A few weeks before fulfillment, Backerkit will send a second email to:

• Collect shipping costs based on current rates at that time
• Collect sales tax, VAT, and any duties (where applicable)
• For U.S. backers, we will also collect any applicable tariffs at this time. Due to uncertainty surrounding current tariff rates, these will be assessed closer to fulfillment.
  • We understand how frustrating tariffs can be, and we want to assure you that we’re committed to keeping costs as low as possible for our U.S. backers. If current high tariff rates remain in effect, we will try to absorb as much of these costs as possible ourselves to minimize the financial burden on you.

🚫 We do not ship to: Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Afghanistan, or Cuba due to import restrictions.

Additional Information:

Sales tax will be collected via Backerkit in accordance with U.S. laws for residents of applicable states.

VAT will be collected for EU and UK backers as required by law.

Final shipping, tax, and tariff costs will be calculated based on your total order (including any optional items) and destination. These details will be clearly shown to you in Backerkit before final confirmation and payment.

Please remember: we can only guarantee delivery for pledges that are confirmed through Backerkit within the specified deadlines. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to fulfill unconfirmed pledges.

🕵️‍♂️ Meet the Team

🤝 Partners