Murder Mystery Games Market Report 2025

The murder mystery games market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.8 billion in 2024 to $2.02 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising popularity of role-playing, growing adoption of digital murder mystery games, rising penetration of e-commerce, increasing adoption of augmented reality (AR), and rising number of themed murder mystery cruise.

The murder mystery games market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.21 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rise in social gaming, rise in crime fiction, rise in interactive gaming formats, grow in interest in role-playing elements, and growing demand for gaming. Major trends in the forecast period include hybrid play models, live-action role-playing (LARP) mystery events, subscription-based murder mystery kits, advanced graphics, and multi-episode campaigns.

The forecast of 12.2% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.2% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Import duties on interactive game components such as sound chips, RFID cards, and augmented props may raise the cost of immersive gaming kits. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing popularity of interactive entertainment is expected to drive the expansion of the murder mystery games market. Interactive entertainment refers to digital or physical experiences that engage users through active participation, often involving gameplay, decision-making, or immersive storytelling. This rise in popularity is fueled by the increasing demand for immersive experiences, social engagement, and personalized storytelling. Murder mystery games are contributing to the rise of interactive entertainment by offering engaging social interactions, immersive narratives, and dynamic problem-solving experiences that actively involve players. For instance, in August 2024, Uswitch Limited, a UK-based price comparison service, reported that the UK had 10.84 million online gamers in 2023, with projections showing a 6.64% increase to reach 11.56 million by 2027. This growing interest in interactive entertainment is driving the growth of the murder mystery games market.

Companies in the murder mystery games market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as puzzle mystery games, to provide a blend of critical thinking, immersive storytelling, and interactive problem-solving. Puzzle mystery games challenge players to uncover clues, solve puzzles, and piece together a narrative to reach a resolution. For example, in November 2024, Chucklefish, a UK-based video game developer, partnered with Robust Games, a UK-based game development studio, to launch Loco Motive, a point-and-click murder mystery game for Nintendo Switch and PC. Set aboard the 1930s Reuss Express, Loco Motive allows players to control three distinct characters - a lawyer, an amateur detective, and an undercover agent - each working to prove their innocence in the murder of Lady Unterwald. With quirky characters, engaging item-based puzzles, detailed pixel art, and a built-in hint system, the game offers a humorous, twist-filled mystery that combines classic point-and-click gameplay with modern intrigue.

In December 2022, White Claw, a U.S.-based hard seltzer company, partnered with Netflix to create a limited-edition murder mystery game titled Crack the Claw, released alongside Glass Onion A Knives Out Mystery. This partnership introduced a unique twist on the classic whodunit, where players must conceal their identity as the killer while convincing others of their innocence. The game includes a moderator script, rules, and 10 dual-purpose identity markers and coaster cards, enhancing the mystery experience while keeping White Claw in the spotlight during the holiday season.

Major players in the murder mystery games market are Quytech Co., Tekrevol, Hunt A Killer LLC, Mischief Games, SnackNation, CosyKiller, Freeform Games LLP, Red Herring Games, Finders Seekers LLC, Night of Mystery Inc., Unsolved Case Files, Broadway Murder Mysteries, Masters of Mystery, Playing With Murder, The Deadbolt Mystery Society, Ghost Ship Murder Mysteries, Cold Case Inc., 5 Minute Mystery, A Killing Affair, The Mystery of Oak Island, and MURDLE.

North America was the largest region in the murder mystery games market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in murder mystery games report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the murder mystery games market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The murder mystery games market consists of sales of detective and investigation games, themed subscription boxes, story-based audiobooks, puzzle books, and brain teasers. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid surge in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are heavily affecting the media sector, particularly in areas such as content creation, broadcasting, and digital streaming. Increased tariffs on imported audiovisual gear, editing tools, and broadcasting technologies have driven up both production and operational costs for media companies. Film and TV studios are incurring higher expenses for sourcing foreign-made cameras, lighting, and post-production equipment, while news and broadcast outlets are facing steeper costs for satellite services and transmission hardware. Additionally, retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries are hindering the export of U.S.-based media content, curbing international revenue growth. To navigate these challenges, media firms are increasingly sourcing domestically, accelerating digital transformation, and adopting AI-powered production tools to reduce costs and sustain their global competitiveness amid ongoing trade disruptions.

The murder mystery games market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides murder mystery games market statistics, including murder mystery games industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a murder mystery games market share, detailed murder mystery games market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the murder mystery games industry. This murder mystery games market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Murder mystery games are interactive role-playing experiences where players take on fictional characters and collaborate to solve a staged murder case. These games combine scripted narratives with improvisation, requiring players to gather clues, interrogate suspects, and analyze evidence to identify the culprit. They can be enjoyed in person at themed parties or dinner events, as well as virtually through online platforms.

The primary types of murder mystery games include board games, video games, live-action role-playing (LARP), escape room experiences, and online or virtual games. Board games are tabletop games that use counters, cards, or pieces, following structured rules on a pre-marked surface, often incorporating strategy, luck, or skill. These games feature various themes, such as historical, contemporary, fantasy, horror, and science fiction, catering to children, teenagers, and adults. They are available across different price ranges, including budget, mid-range, and premium, and are distributed through online retailers, brick-and-mortar stores, direct sales, and subscription services.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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