Smoking Gun

Smoking Gun is in development, and I’m looking for contributors and playtesters. Find out how to get involved.

ION Award 2026: what the judges said

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The mystery

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Welcome to the quirky and mysterious Gelp Wellness Resort. Smoking Gun is a tabletop deduction game inspired by classic mystery stories and social play. You are a junior detective in the 1980s, and you’re racing your rivals to build the best case, not just to solve the murder first.

There are no complicated rules to memorize. Instead, you make meaningful choices, tell imaginative stories, and use logic, bluffing, and negotiation to outsmart the other detectives.

Why you’ll love it

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• Story and deduction. Every game is a new mystery. Gather clues, question suspects, and build your case using both logic and imagination.
• Bluffing and social play. You don’t always have to tell the whole truth. Bluff and misdirect your rivals to keep them guessing, and earn credibility along the way.
• Strategic choices. Decide how to explore, when to reveal clues, and when to barter or trade. Every action shapes your case and the group’s story.
• Fresh every time. With more than 38,000 possible mystery combinations, no two games are alike.

How it plays

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• Investigate. Find clues, and match two to verify real evidence.
• Explore Gelp Manor. Move through six rooms to uncover clues about the weapon, the motive, and the time of death.
• Examine suspects. Compare forensic evidence to identify the murderer.
• Collect physical evidence. Grab proof that matches your verified clues to boost your credibility.
• Listen and learn. Pay attention when others update the case. If their story doesn’t quite add up, your notes may reveal what’s really true.
• Bluff and apply pressure. Not every update is as solid as it sounds. Are they confident, or covering a gap?

Telling your case

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On your turn you can make a Case Update:

• Share your theory of the case: who, where, why, and how.
• Tell part of the story using your cards.
• Earn credibility points for both deduction and creativity.
• Work in a fun 1980s reference (music, fashion, or pop culture) for bonus points.

Every game ends up feeling like a mini detective novel.

Solo or with friends

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Multiplayer (2–4 players): Challenge friends or family to see who builds the most convincing case. Bluff, barter, and build alliances, or break them.

Solo: A rival Lead Detective advances the case on its own, pushing you to crack the mystery before they do.

How to win

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You earn Credibility Points for playing Case cards, revealing verified evidence, using Physical Evidence wisely, and adding compelling storytelling flair. The detective with the most credibility wins, along with bragging rights as the best junior detective at the resort.

Under the hood

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Balance work is driven by a Python simulation that plays thousands of games to examine scoring, bonus sizing, and edge cases.

Get involved

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Smoking Gun is still taking shape, and I’d love help with it.

• Playtesters: Play a session with your group and tell me what worked, what dragged, and what confused you.
• Contributors: Artists, writers, and game designers who want to help bring Gelp Manor to life.

You can also see the current version on The Game Crafter.