What is SpyFall?
Many of you visiting this subforum are already familiar with Spyfall, having played in one of the rounds that I and others have run right here on E. For those unfamiliar, SpyFall is a slightly different hidden role game, in which the players are trying to deduce who among them in a spy.
Most of the players are given a role, which are different from one another, and a location, which is the same for every player. One player is simply informed that they are the spy. The players take turns asking one another questions or statements in an effort to deduce who they might be. Non-spy players know what the location is, but not who the spy could be. The spy doesn't know the location.
If a player answered yes to "Would you mind opening a window?", for example, and the location is a Space Station, it's a fairly safe guess this player might be a spy.
That sounds fun! So what is FantasyFall?
FantasyFall is an idea I got after a round where many of the players began to wonder if the location was a zombie apocalypse. A version of SpyFall that focused on classic sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and other classic RP/Story settings would be a blast, especially on E! The trick for the game would be balancing the locations and roles in a fair and fun way that would make things fun, balanced, and creative for everyone.
What makes SpyFall work as a game?
A variety of things. On it's surface, SpyFall seems rather light on mechanics, but when a friend of mine started making custom decks for it, it quickly became apparent there was more to it than I initially realized.
The original SpyFall features 27 locations, with 8 roles each, including the spy. What makes the game work is that each location is vague enough that a single question, comment, or reference often isn't enough to give away a round, yet specific enough that it can be deduced that a player knows were they are after a question or two.
Furthermore, many if the locations feature similar roles. The hotel, school, pirate ship, and several others all have a cook. The Bank, school, embassy, office, and so on all have a guard. There are several locations where it would not be safe to "open a window". When a player asks another player if they're ready to eat, it's not an immediate giveaway.
What I'm looking to do...
I'm trying to come up with a set (at least 20) of locations based of popular roleplaying genres, movies, books, and tabletop settings for the SpyFall game play setup. The locations can't be too specific, as they'd either be too easy or too frustrating for the spy. So while something like "a colony/military ship" would be perfectly fine, "The Death Star" or "The Enterprise", no matter how fun, likely would not be.
Rather than work on it alone, I thought I might bring my idea to E, and see if anyone was interested in making a group project out of it.
Locations would need to have similar roles to at least a few others, otherwise they'd be too easy to decipher. Genres alone are likely a bit too vague, something within a genre would like be best. I'm open to any ideas and suggestions, however.
Locations
I tried to pick the ones that were the most unique, and combined a few into singular options in an effort to make sure each location would be discernible from the others. Next up are roles!
Bold locations are finished, everything else needs work.
1. Zombie Survivor ColonyZombie, Lookout, Cook, Helpless Survivor, supply hoarder, leader, caravan trader
2. Bath HouseRelaxed Patron, Bath attendant, Host, Peeping Tom, Tense Patron, Boiler Room Operator, Servant
3. The Local TavernBard, Innkeeper, Cook, Patron, Adventurer, Gambler, Drunk
4. New World ColonyEngineer, Doctor, Horticulture Expert, Scientist, Colony Worker, Leader, Tourist
5. Pirate CoveDrunken Sailor, Buxom Harlott, Prisoner, Harbormaster, Pirate Captain, Retired Pirate Tavernkeeper, Royal Navy Spy
6. Military StarcruiserCaptain, Helmsman, Fighter Pilot, Engineer, Medic, Navigator, Boarding/Surface Mission Crew (Red Shirt?)
7. The CastleThe King, Prince Charming, Groundskeeper, Master Chef, Jester, Servant, Knight Captain
8. Underwater CityMermaid, Explorer from the surface, Archivist, Defender, Maintenance Crew, Leader, Scrap collector
9. Enchanted ForestAdventurer, Dryad (tree person), Witch, Woodsman, Big Bad Wolf, Druid, Damsel
10. Battle ArenaWarrior, Spectator, Archer, Mage, King, Princess, Announcer
11. CryptLooter, Adventurer, Undead Thrall, Groundskeeper, Necromancer, Ghost, Priest
12. The AirshipEngineer, Captain, Gunner, Dapper Passenger, Stowaway, Cook, Helmsman
13. Ancient RuinsArchaeologist, Looter, Ancient Native, Explorer, Protector, Ancient Construct, Rogue Archaeologist
14. HeavenAngel, Angel of Justice, St. Peter, Prudence, deity, redeemed soul, Angel of Faith
15. Party CampsiteLookout, Hunter/Cook, Traveling Merchant, Quartermaster, Enemy Spy, Studying Wizard, Thief
16. HellLucifer, Condemned Soul, Succubus, Sloth Demon, Pride Demon, Nightmare, Gluttony Demon
17. Dragon’s LairDragon, Princess, Dragon Slayer, Knight, Brave Prince, Dragon Priest(ess), Mercenary
18. Mad Scientists' LairMad Scientist, Minion, Unwilling Experiment, Lab Assistant, Government Spy, Captured Hero, Blackmailed Engineer
19. Wizard’s TowerWizard, Bound Demon Servant, Apprentice, Familiar, Adventurer, Guardian, Spirit
20. Flying CityEngineer, Mayor, Corporate CEO, Citizen, Pilot, Guardian
21. Haunted MansionGhost, Poltergeist, New Homeowner, Frightened Damsel, Ghost Hunter, Priest, Skeptic
22. Wizard AcademyTeacher, Archmage, Dedicated Student, Familiar, Ghost, Uninterested Student, Groundskeeper
23. Dungeon DelveFighter, Wizard, Rogue, Cleric, Opportunist, Kobold, GM
24. Virtual RealityCompetitive User, Social User, NPC, Debug team member, Programmer, Artificial Intelligence, Hacker
