The Puppeteer 2222
How to top the paranoid fun of murder mystery game, The Puppeteer? Double the budget and make it sci-fi.
The first one worked much better than I expected but it was quite gamey at times. Players couldn’t be killed if they were never alone. At one point everyone was wandering through the house with linked arms. This time, I wanted to get experiential so I gave them less information up front. If they need to know something, they were told at the time (to mixed results).
The aim was to simulate the experience of being in a sci-fi horror film. Everyone always says they’d act differently to the drunk, horny teens on screen. This was their chance to prove it.
The setting was a party at a moon kingdom in the far reaches of space. The host promised a spectacular meteor shower. One lands in the garden and the party soon becomes a bodysnatcher style alien invasion. One-by-one guests minds are taken over by an alien being known only as The Puppeteer. It ends in a shootout where players weren’t sure which way to point the (nerf) gun.
Players created their characters from a list of archetypes they could make their own. Each came with outfit ideas and their own hidden tasks to keep the narrative running throughout the night.
WHO ARE YOU IN 2222?
Coldhearted robots
Refurbished Discobot
This robot is quite literally programmed to party. The product reviews are mixed.
If in doubt: Do the robot, be the party
Budget Therapy Bot
Wipe away those pathetic human tears, because this low cost counsellor is here to fix you. Expect a cold analysis of your flaws and a zero-refunds policy.
If in doubt: Psychoanalyse foolish human behaviour
Off-duty Cybercop
Jeez, who invited the narc? This robot is programmed to stop crimes that haven’t even been invented yet. Technically they’re not on duty, but can a cybercop ever really switch off?
If in doubt: Detect crimes, issue fines
Working unprofessionals
Metal and Plastic Surgeon
Wonky nose? Eyes got no sparkle? Fancy a claw for a hand? For the right price, this doctor will cut, lift or stick whatever you want, wherever you want.
If in doubt: Recommend a cybernetic enhancement
Laser Arms Dealer
You wouldn’t believe how big of a hole you can make in 2222. This sociopath has all your favourite murder machines in stock, at prices worth killing for.
If in doubt: Name drop an infamous warlord you know
Space Florist
This botanist collects and arranges exotic flowers from faraway planets. They claim to be one with nature, but they’ve probably just inhaled too many moonlily spores.
If in doubt: Tell guests what the plants are thinking
Hermit Roboticist
This loner builds and services robots, often going weeks without speaking to other people. Because who needs fleshy chitchat, when you have the quiet servitude of a reprogrammable companion? This party will be healthy for them.
If in doubt: Befriend a robot
The rich and infamous
Moon Monarch
This obscure royal lives on an uninhabited moon on the silent fringes of known space. They spend their days on their throne, ruling with absolute power over absolutely no one.
If in doubt: Insist on being referred to as ‘Your Majesty’ (or a title of your choosing)
Interstellar Socialite
This child of an ultrarich asteroid mining magnate is trying to find themself. They typically search in luxury gigamalls, VIP raves, and paradise spas. No luck so far.
If in doubt: Throw money at the situation
Astrological Cult Leader
Their birthmoon is ascending, their crystals are charged and the crypto coins are rolling in. Are they really expecting this meteor shower to be the most important night in human history or is it all just a load of moondust?
If in doubt: Try to recruit new followers with horoscope readings
Meme Politician
Campaigning in 2222 is all about embodying a simple, memorable message. This ambitious individual is an easily-identifiable brand, a cartoon character in living form.
If in doubt: Shake hands, make promises, inflame debates
Cryogenic Billionaire
This old tech billionaire went into cryosleep in 2050 until there was a cure for chronic arthritis. They woke up last year and have no idea what’s going on. On the plus side, their hip joints are now silky smooth.
If in doubt: Ramble about the good old 2020s
Injured Killball Athlete
Some fans say this athlete is the most promising spearwinger Kraken KC has ever seen. Most medical professionals say this brute will never play again. That’s killball for you.
If in doubt: Insist you’re in peak physical condition
Discharged Space Fleet Officer
A veteran of the Second Robot War and the Massacre at Lapaz IV. Why were they discharged? That’s between them and the ghosts of Lapaz IV.
If in doubt: Tell a harrowing war story
Unhinged creatives
Vapourfunk Musician
Fizzy beat in their step, funky bassline in their soul. This musician is attempting to take vapourfunk to bold new places with an album made exclusively for robots. Sounds like a load of beepity boop.
If in doubt: Sing or play vapourfunk
Pseudo-Minimalist Fashion Designer
Is pseudo-minimalism a bold statement about simplicity in overly-complex times? What does the pseudo part mean? Hopefully they know.
If in doubt: Critique or compliment an outfit
Street Hologram Artist
You see a wall, they see a canvas for a hologram of a politician making love to a cloud. The mind of the artist is beautiful and, at times, nonsensical.
If in doubt: Give someone a holographic tattoo (silver felt tip will do)
Criminal scum
Blackmarket Sales Assistant
If you’re looking for screamnodes, high-grade wompers, or synthdog adrenal glands, you came to the right place.
If in doubt: Try to make a sale
Digital Bankrobber
Robbing banks has lost its outlaw glamour somewhat. Now it’s mostly just about scamming old people during 11-hour crisp-eating stints at the computer.
If in doubt: Subtly phish for passwords (first pet names, childhood heroes etc)
Amateur Assassin
After accidentally running over two pedestrians in one week, this go-getter decided that if they were going to keep killing people they might as well get paid for it. No jobs so far, but they’ve certainly embraced the edgelord persona.
If in doubt: Make a murder innuendo (e.g. “This drink is to die for”, “I’m earning a… killing.”)
The Impaler
Not all warlords are in it for the money and power, this one just genuinely loves to impale. Impale him, impale her, impale that – honestly, listening to them go on about it can be a bit of a drag, but at least that means you’re not getting impaled.
If in doubt: Threaten to impale someone
Outcasts and misfits
Underrated Doomsdayer
Meteor falling… blah blah blah… minds invaded... yada yada yada… betrayal of the something something something. No one's listening to their rants or is even sure how they got in.
If in doubt: Predict the future, rant about it
Out-of-Work Alienologist
Alienologists do thankless and largely pointless work, given there are no known aliens in the galaxy. This ‘scientist’ has had no formal training, but they have spent over 10,000 hours researching hypothetical extra-terrestrial bladders on the cybernet and that must count for something.
If in doubt: Talk about the time you were definitely abducted
Cyberfreak
Did they upgrade themselves with a cybernetic enhancement to replace a missing limb? For cosmetic reasons? Something more esoteric? They’re almost certainly going to tell you, because it’s the basis for their entire personality.
If in doubt: Show off your machine bits