The Witness
Was in the second car on the N3 and gave the police a statement. Now a candidate attorney, weeks from being admitted.
In every game · could be the killer
Case file 001
Murder
on the N3
One toast. Two glasses. Seven years of secrets.
Digital edition · Case 001
Murder on the N3
One toast. Two glasses. Seven years of secrets.
The host stands for the Apology Toast, swaps glasses with an old friend, drinks, and falls. Somebody at the table poisoned that glass. Was it meant for the host, or for the friend?
R299once-off
- Delivered by email the moment you pay
- Host it as often as you like, with any group
- Secure checkout with Payfast: card or instant EFT
Play tonight
Delivered by email the moment you pay.
4 to 14 players
Every character has a secret, whatever the group size.
Unlimited replays
A new killer, new clues and new lies every time.
The host plays too
The killer is chosen in secret when the game starts.
Nothing to print
Characters, clues and evidence are all on the phones.
In person or on a call
Gather round one table, or share the TV screen on a video call.
The plot
December 2019. A group of friends drove home from Durban in two cars. At 02:10, near Harrismith, a white Polo hit and killed Lwazi Dube, 23, walking home from a night shift with bread for the morning. One of the group pleaded guilty, and the case was closed.
Seven years later the host invites everyone back to the same table for a dinner they call the Apology Toast. Glasses are raised. The host swaps glasses with an old friend, drinks, and falls.
Somebody at the table poisoned that glass. Was it meant for the host, or for the friend? And what really happened on the N3 that night?
- Players
- 4 to 14
- Game length
- 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Setting
- A dinner party in Johannesburg, seven years after a crash on the N3
- Ages
- 16 and over
- Characters
- Any gender, with pronouns players choose
Case summary
Involves a fatal road accident, poisoning and alcohol. Recommended for players aged 16 and over.
Meet the suspects
Characters join as the group grows. Four players means four suspects; at eleven, the whole cast is at the table, and in bigger groups some characters are played as a pair. Anyone can play any role.
The Cousin
The Keeper's cousin. They haven't spoken properly since the Keeper's car was 'stolen' last year. Works as an insurance investigator.
In every game · could be the killer
The Scapegoat
Pleaded guilty to the N3 crash in 2020. Has a criminal record and never talks about that night.
In every game · could be the killer
The Planner
Organised tonight's toast and the seating. Never without a pen. Their father is a retired prosecutor.
In every game · could be the killer
The Techie
Fixes everyone's phones and laptops, and knows everyone's passwords. Set up the TV tonight.
In every game · could be the killer
The Medic
A doctor. Carries a bag of Cardoxin heart tablets for an elderly patient, and mentioned them at dinner.
In every game · could be the killer
The Partner
Co-owns a business with the host. The host was signing their half over to a buyer on Monday.
In every game · could be the killer
The Bartender
Ran the drinks table tonight. Owns a small bar that's been struggling.
In every game · could be the killer
The Plus-One
Came tonight as the Techie's plus-one. Nobody else had met them before.
In every game · could be the killer
The Driver
An advocate about to make senior counsel. Drove every kilometre of the Durban trip; the group called them Captain.
Joins at 8 players
The Keeper
Pulled the dashcam card at the petrol station that night and has kept it for seven years. Says they've finally decided what to do with it.
Joins at 8 players
The host
Plays the victim and returns as a ghost, narrates the night, or plays a suspect like everyone else. Your choice in the lobby.
What's in the case file
It all runs in the browser on your phones and TV. Nothing to download, print or post.
A secret character for every player
Who they are, what they did that night, what they're hiding and what they want.
Three rounds of evidence
Lab results, phone records, a locked box and witness statements, released round by round.
Lies you choose to tell
Every answer is on the record. Get caught in a lie and the table will know.
Search the house
Players search rooms on their phones, find items and send them to the lab.
The TV screen
A shared board with the timeline, statements, contradictions and the countdown to the accusation.
The host console
Pause, add time, nudge stuck players and run the reveal, from your own phone.
Scores and awards
Points for finding the killer, catching liars and getting away with it.
Your length, your night
Choose a short, standard or long game, from about 90 minutes to two and a half hours.
The app · free with the game
Open the lobby
You start the game from your account. A four-letter room code appears on the TV.
Everyone joins
Guests scan the code on their phones and type their names. No app, no sign-up.
The secret draw
When you press start, the game deals the characters and picks the killer in secret. Not even you will know.
Three rounds
Evidence drops, questions go round the table, phones buzz with private messages.
Accuse and reveal
Everyone locks in a verdict. The TV reveals the truth, the scores and the awards.
How it works
01
Buy the game
It lands in your inbox straight away, and it's yours for good.
02
Invite the suspects
Send the invitation, pick a date and tell everyone to bring a charged phone.
03
Set the table
Dinner, drinks and a TV or laptop for the board. Dress up if you like.
04
Start the case
Open the game, put the board on the TV and let everyone join.
05
Play three rounds
Question each other, search the house, test the evidence.
06
Name the killer
Lock in your accusation, watch the reveal and crown the winners.
Gift it
Choose the gift option at checkout, write a note and pick the day. The game will belong to them, to host as often as they like.
Commercial use
The home edition is for your own parties. If guests pay to attend, or you run it for a business, you'll need the venue licence: unlimited nights for 12 months.
Questions
What do we need to play?
A phone for every player, with any modern browser, and Wi-Fi. A TV or laptop for the shared screen makes the night better but isn't required. There's nothing to download, print or buy for your guests.
Can we play it more than once?
Yes. Buy a game once and host it as often as you like, with as many different groups as you like. The killer, the clues and who lies about what change every time, so the same group can even play again.
Can the host play too?
Yes. The killer is chosen in secret when the game starts, so the host can play without knowing who did it. You can also run the night as a narrator, or play the victim's ghost.
How many people can play?
Murder on the N3 is written for 4 to 14 players. Every character has a secret, an alibi and something to hide, whatever the group size.
How long does a game take?
Between 90 minutes and two and a half hours. You choose a short, standard or long game in the lobby, and the host can pause or add time on the night.
Do my guests need to buy or sign up for anything?
No. Guests join from their phones with a four-letter room code. Only the host needs to own the game.
Can I share my game with friends?
Your friends play free in every game you host. To host their own game nights they need their own copy. Hosting is tied to your account: you sign in with a code sent to your email, and only a few devices can be signed in at once.
Can we play over a video call?
Yes. Players join on their phones as normal, and the host shares the TV screen on the call.
Is it suitable for children?
Murder on the N3 is for players aged 16 and over. It involves a fatal road accident, poisoning and alcohol.
How do I get my game after paying?
Straight away. You'll get an email, and the game appears in your account. Open the game, sign in with the email you used at checkout, and you're ready to host.
Can I give a game as a gift?
Yes. Choose the gift option at checkout, add a message, and pick the day it arrives. The game belongs to the person you send it to.
We run a restaurant, venue or paid event. Can we use it?
Yes, with a venue licence. It covers ticketed and paid events for 12 months. Get in touch from the events page if you'd like us to help run the night.
Murder on the N3
R299