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Cryptozoic Entertainment and Decipher Announce Partnership to Relaunch  How To Host A Murder® Game Series

Cryptozoic Entertainment and Decipher Announce Partnership to Relaunch How To Host A Murder® Game Series

Cryptozoic Entertainment and Decipher Announce Partnership to Relaunch

How To Host A Murder® Game Series

Long-Running Murder Mystery Party Game Returns in 2025 with Updated Versions of Existing Episodes and New Licensed Episodes

Laguna Hills, CA — February 28, 2025 — Cryptozoic Entertainment, leading creator of tabletop games, trading cards, and collectibles, and Decipher today announced a partnership to relaunch the long-running How To Host A Murder® party game brand.

With over 20 releases and more than 50 million players since 1985, How To Host A Murder is the most famous running series of boxed murder mystery games ever published. Originally published by Decipher, the releases by Cryptozoic will update the brand’s aesthetics, but the core gameplay will remain the same: Players gather for a light role-playing experience where they take on the roles of suspects, all attempting to expose which one of them is the murderer. The setting is humorous, with up to eight players dressing in costumes and acting out their parts in exaggerated ways. Each self-contained episode’s box contains a host guide, player manuals, a sheet of secret clues, guest invitations, name tags, diagrams, and more.

The initial relaunch will feature four classic episodes, each sold separately: The Watersdown Affair, Class of ’54, The Chicago Caper, and Saturday Night Cleaver. Licensed versions based on several major IPs are in development, with announcements to be made in the coming months.

“We are pleased to be working with Cryptozoic to revitalize How To Host A Murder® with updated packaging and new licensed properties while maintaining the high quality that made it the most recognizable and best-selling dinner party mystery game in the world,” said Decipher CEO Warren Holland.

How To Host A Murder is a timeless brand, so we are thrilled our friends at Decipher trusted us to bring the game back into the world,” said Cory Jones, CCO and co-founder of Cryptozoic. “Millions of former players will love experiencing the game again and new generations will discover the fun and intrigue of getting together with friends to solve a murder. The new licensed releases will bring the How To Host A Murder gameplay to beloved IPs, creating an unforgettable and unique experience for fans.”

Cryptozoic will relaunch Host To A Murder later in 2025, with major retail partnerships already in the works.


About Cryptozoic Entertainment

Since 2010, Cryptozoic Entertainment has been dedicated to the concept of “Fans First,” striving to develop the most creative and sought-after products for pop culture enthusiasts worldwide. As an entertainment company with a diverse portfolio of licensed and original IPs, its catalog covers a broad spectrum of tabletop games and collectibles. The passionate team at Cryptozoic aims to inspire gamers and collectors all around the globe, while bringing fans together as part of the Cryptozoic community. Visit www.cryptozoic.com for more information and sign up for the company’s Mailing List to receive the Fans First Newsletter and updates about products and events.

About Decipher

Founded in 1983 by Warren Holland, Decipher has produced a broad range of game products, including How To Host A Murder®, the popular dinner party mystery games that have delighted players worldwide for more than forty years. Over the years, the Norfolk, VA-based company also created award-winning collectible trading card series for Star Wars, Star Trek and Lord of the Rings, plus an array of other licensed and proprietary card games, board games, puzzles, collectibles and magazines.

 

 

 Media Contact:

press@cryptozoic.com

 

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How To Host A Murder is a trademark and a U.S. registered trademark of Decipher, Inc., a Virginia corporation. The boxed games are manufactured and distributed worldwide by Cryptozoic Entertainment under license from Decipher, Inc.

 

© 2025 Decipher, Inc., a Virginia corporation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Cryptozoic Entertainment is the official licensee and distributor of boxed games for the How To Host A Murder brand.

 

 

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