Murder Mystery Kit Generator
Website User Guide

Welcome to EnigmaKits!

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using the Murder Mystery Kit Generator website to create your own custom murder mystery party kits.

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1. Getting Started

Accessing the Site

Visit the Murder Mystery Kit Generator homepage at enigmakits.com :

• Left Panel explains the site and has the "contact" form
• Right Panel is the kit creation form
• Options to sign up, log in, or continue as a guest

First-Time Users: Choose Your Path

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2. Account Types & Benefits

Guest Access (Free)

• Theme Options: Limited curated preset themes
• Kit Storage: No storage, download links expire in 7 days
• Best For: Trying out the service or hosting a single event

Personal Account (Free)

• Theme Options: Expanded customization options
• Kit Storage: Access to previously generated kits
• Best For: Regular party hosts and enthusiasts

Commercial Account (Premium)

• Theme Options: Full access including highly detailed venue-specific prompts (contact us)
• Kit Storage: Access to previously generated kits
• Advanced Features: Analytics and usage tracking
• Priority Support: Faster response times
• Best For: Event planners, Bed and Breakfast venues, and professional hosts

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3. Creating Your First Kit

Step 1: Fill Out the Customization Form

The form is organized into several sections. Here's what each field means:

Theme & Atmosphere

Theme/Setting

• Choose the primary location type (e.g., Mansion, Cruise Ship, Speakeasy, Corporate Office, Space Station)
• This determines the overall environment and aesthetic
• Examples: Victorian Mansion, 1920s Speakeasy, Modern Tech Startup

Era

• Select the time period for your mystery
• Options: Modern Day, 1920s, Victorian Era, Sci-Fi Future, Regency Period, and more
• Affects character archetypes, language style, and technology available

Location Flavor

• Add geographical personality to your setting
• Examples: New York City, Paris, Coastal Maine, Desert Oasis, Small Suburb
• Influences character backgrounds and local color

Tone

• Comedic: Light-hearted with humor and witty banter
• Serious: Dramatic and intense
• Dark: Noir-style with mature themes
• Romantic Intrigue: Love triangles and passionate secrets

Venue Detail

• Specify the actual hosting location
• Options: Private Home, Restaurant, Hotel Ballroom, Country Club, Office Space
• Helps tailor setup instructions and prop suggestions

Party Configuration

Number of Players

• Select how many male and female characters you need
• Range: 4-12 total players
• System automatically includes 1-2 backup/alternate characters

Group Type/Social Frame

• College Friends: Younger players, casual atmosphere
• Young Adults: 20s-30s, mix of serious and fun
• Career Builders: Professional setting, workplace themes
• Seasoned Pros: Mature players, sophisticated content
• Team Building: Corporate groups, work-appropriate content

Difficulty Level

• Easy: Obvious clues, straightforward solution, great for beginners
• Medium: Balanced challenge with some red herrings
• Hard: Complex mystery with subtle clues and multiple suspects

Personalization

Special Requests

Use this field for:

• Dietary restrictions for suggested menus
• Accessibility needs for activities
• Specific character requests ("Can one character be a chef?")
• Thematic preferences ("Include a butler character")
• Content boundaries

Guest Arrival Time

• Enter time you expect your guests to arrive
• Use 12 hour (AM/PM) format
• Used when creating Invitations

Host Gender Preference

• Host is given a venue related role
• Host name can be gender specific if desired

Delivery Email

• Where your download link will be sent (pre-filled if logged in user)
• Must be valid—check for typos!
• Check spam folder if you don't receive it within 30 minutes

Step 2: Submit Your Kit

1. Click "Generate My Mystery Kit"
2. You'll see a confirmation message
3. Your kit is now queued for generation
4. An email will be sent when it's ready (typically 5-15 minutes)

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4. Understanding Kit Options

Choosing the Right Theme

Consider your audience:

• First-time players? Choose a classic setting (Mansion, Cruise Ship)
• Genre fans? Pick Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or Western themes
• Specific occasion? Holiday themes, corporate events, or seasonal settings

Balancing Difficulty

Using Special Requests Effectively

Good examples:

• ✓ "One guest uses a wheelchair—please avoid activities requiring stairs"
• ✓ "We're vegetarian—please suggest meatless menu options"
• ✓ "Can you include a character who's a jazz musician?"
• ✓ "Please keep all content appropriate for ages 16+"

Avoid vague requests:

• ✗ "Make it good"
• ✗ "Surprise me"

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5. Kit Generation Process

What Happens After You Submit?

1. Queued (Immediate)
   • Your kit enters the generation queue
   • You receive a confirmation message
   • Kit ID is created for tracking
2. Our writers get right to it (5-15 minutes)
   • We analyze your parameters
   • Creates unique characters, plot, clues, and solution
   • Create individual PDF files
   • Upload to secure cloud storage
3. Complete
   • Email sent to your delivery address
   • Includes secure download link
   • Link expires in 7 days
   • Maximum 5 downloads per link

Expected Timeline

• Normal: 5-15 minutes
• High traffic: Up to 30 minutes
• Didn't receive email? Check spam/junk folder
• Still nothing after 1 hour? Contact support with your email address

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6. Downloading Your Kit

Accessing Your Download Link

• Check your email at the delivery address you provided
• Look for subject: "Your Murder Mystery Kit is Ready!"
• Click the secure download link
• You'll be directed to the download page
• Your download will start automatically
• Contains all PDFs in one ZIP file
• Unzip on your computer to access individual files

What's Included in Your Kit?

Your kit contains 16-24 PDF files depending on number of players:

1. Host Packet - Your master guide (read this first!)
2. Invitation Template - Send to guests before the party
3. Character Packets - One for each player (4-12 PDFs) send each player's theirs along with the invitation
4. Two Extra Character Packets - Hand out to last minute guests that show up
5. Clue Cards - 4 PDFs - Crime Scene, Red Herrings, and (2) Rounds of Later Discovered Clues
6. Interrogation Round Cards 2 PDFs (2 Rounds) - Questions to ask
7. Solution Envelope - The reveal (don't peek!)

Download Link Limitations

• Expiration: 7 days from email delivery
• Usage Limit: Maximum 5 downloads
• Security: Unique token prevents sharing

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7. Managing Your Account

Email Verification

All emails require verification:

1. Sign up with your email
2. Check inbox for verification email
3. Click verification link
4. Email is now verified
5. Kits can now be generated

Didn't receive verification email?

• Check spam/junk folder
• Click "Resend Verification Email" in account settings
• Ensure email address is correct
• Wait 5 minutes between resend attempts

Viewing Your Kit History (Personal & Commercial Users)

1. Log in to your account
2. Click "My Kits" in navigation
3. View list of previously generated kits
4. Re-download kits (within 7-day window)
5. See generation parameters for each kit

Checking Your Quota

Logged-in Users:

• Quota displayed in navigation bar
• Shows remaining kits for current week/month
• Resets every Monday at midnight (weekly)
• Resets on 1st of month (monthly)

Guest Users:

• Quota shown near submit button
• Limited visibility into past usage
• Consider creating account for better tracking

Password Reset

1. Click "Forgot Password?" on login screen
2. Enter your registered email
3. Check email for reset link
4. Click link and create new password
5. Log in with new credentials

Upgrading Your Account

To upgrade from Personal to Commercial:

1. Contact support via contact form
2. Request account upgrade
3. Provide payment information (if applicable)
4. Upgrade processed within 24 hours
5. New quota limits take effect immediately

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8. Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

"I didn't receive my download email"

Solutions:

1. Check spam/junk/promotions folders
2. Wait up to 30 minutes for delivery
3. Verify email address for typos in form
4. Check if email provider is blocking automated emails
5. Contact support with your kit request details

"My download link expired"

Solutions:

• Links expire after 7 days
• If you still need the kit, submit a new generation request
• Prevention: Download and save kits immediately

"I've reached my weekly quota"

Solutions:

• Wait until Monday for weekly reset
• Upgrade to a higher account tier
• Use a different email address as guest (not recommended)

"The form won't submit"

Check:

• All required fields are filled
• Email format is valid (contains @ and domain)
• Player count is between 4-12
• You haven't exceeded quota
• Internet connection is stable

"I can't log in"

Solutions:

1. Verify email address is correct
2. Check Caps Lock is off
3. Use "Forgot Password" to reset
4. Clear browser cache and cookies
5. Try a different browser
6. Ensure email is verified (check inbox for verification link)

"My downloaded ZIP won't open"

Solutions:

• Ensure download completed fully (check file size isn't 0 KB)
• Use built-in unzip tool (Windows Explorer, Mac Finder)
• Try free software: 7-Zip (Windows), The Unarchiver (Mac)
• Re-download the ZIP file

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9. Contact & Support

How to Get Help

Contact Form:

1. Scroll to footer of homepage
2. Click "Contact" or find contact form
3. Fill out:
   • Name
   • Email address
   • Subject (briefly describe issue)
   • Message (provide details)
4. Complete CAPTCHA if prompted
5. Submit form
6. Expect response within 24-48 hours

What to Include in Support Requests

For download issues:

• Email address used for kit
• Date and time of submission
• Kit ID (if available)
• Error messages received

For technical issues:

• Browser and version (Chrome 120, Safari 17, etc.)
• Device type (Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, etc.)
• Screenshot of error
• Steps to reproduce issue

Feature Requests

We love hearing your ideas! Use the contact form to suggest:

• New themes or eras
• Additional customization options
• Improved features
• Integration ideas

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Tips for Success

Planning Your Event

1. Generate kit 1-2 weeks before party
   • Gives time to review materials
   • Allows for printing and preparation
   • Reduces last-minute stress
2. Read the Host Packet first
   • Understanding the mystery helps you host better
   • Review setup requirements
   • Note any special props needed
3. Print in advance
   • Character packets: 1 per player
   • Clue cards: Full page or half-page format
   • Host materials: Keep separate from player materials

Customization Strategy

Mix and Match:

• Modern era + mansion setting = Reality TV show mansion
• 1920s era + corporate office = Prohibition-era speakeasy disguised as office
• Sci-Fi era + cruise ship = Space cruise liner

Content Boundaries:

• Consider your group's comfort level
• Use special requests to specify boundaries
• Better to be too conservative than too edgy

Player Count:

• Invite 1-2 extra people as backups (alternates provided)
• Account for possible no-shows
• Smaller groups (4-6) are easier for first-time hosts
• Larger groups (10-12) create more intrigue but take longer

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Welcome to the Mystery!

You're now ready to create incredible, custom murder mystery experiences for your guests. Our writers handle the complex work of creating balanced, solvable mysteries—you bring the hosting magic that makes it memorable.

Ready to get started? Head to the form and create your first kit!

Need the hosting guide? See the companion "How to Host Your Murder Mystery Party" guide for step-by-step party instructions.