itch.io

SPOILERS BELOW, Also solutions in the image if you want to complete the game.

Glad you liked it! I have made a complete graph for you, though I'm not completely positive that every connection is fully justified by the text. I should definitely add jazzy noir music to the background, that could make the tone really cool. The planning of the game was done in a few parts. First, I thought about different relationships or structures I wanted to be in the game, so I wrote those out to start with: "Femme Fatale", Not being able to tell twins apart, a strangers on a train style not knowing the accomplice, and looking back on past cases to inform future ones. Once I had all these tropes, I created a rough outline of what the connections graph would be. Then I brainstormed stupid pranks that high school kids would do to make up the cases. Given the connotation of the cork board with strings being associated with conspiracies, I thought that the competition would make a good fit. I then implemented the cases in order, trying to give each something interesting. One thing I quickly noticed is that with how I wanted to structure the game, with new people being added to each case which fit into previous social structures, that each additional person adds a whole lot of complexity. After the 14th person, I no longer felt that I could add anymore and still finish on time, so that was when I locked it down (About 24 hours remaining) and took the rest of the time to polish the experience.

SPOILERS, DON'T LOOK TOO CLOSELY AT THE IMAGE IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME.

A bit messy, but it needed to fit in the comment image size limitation. Also, I don't think there is any way to arrange it such that it isn't messy, but I kind of liked that, I think it creates a fun chaotic feel to the game.