Introduction
MysteryAct (Jubensha) is an immersive story-driven role-playing experience. Each player takes on a unique character with personal secrets, goals, and emotions. Together, players dive into dramatic plots—through dialogue, deduction, and decision-making—to uncover hidden truths and shape how the story unfolds.
🎭 Role-Playing: Step into someone else’s shoes and experience a world beyond your own.
📖 Story-Driven: Follow rich, well-written scripts across genres like mystery, fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and more.
🗣️ Social Interaction: Whether online or in person, communication is the heart of the game—talk, vote, suspect, empathize.
A Brief History of MysteryAct (Jubensha)
1980s – Western Origins
Inspired by boxed Murder Mystery party kits in the West, the format began as casual group role-play at home.
2000–2016 – Theatrical Evolution
In the UK and US, these evolved into interactive RPG experiences—adding costumes, live acting, and deeper storytelling.
2016–2019 – The Rise in China
Jubensha exploded in popularity through social media and TV, with thousands of dedicated venues opening nationwide.
2019–2024 – Creative Boom
The stories expanded far beyond whodunits, introducing emotional, fantastical, and cinematic scripts. By 2024, China had over 30,000 MysteryAct locations.
2024–Now – Global Expansion
Now known globally as MysteryAct, this storytelling format is spreading fast—powered by online platforms, mobile apps, and growing fan communities.
Types of MysteryAct (Jubensha) Games
MysteryAct is not a single genre, but an entire ecosystem of narrative experiences. Depending on the script, tone, and mechanics, games can feel completely different:
💔 Emotional & Immersive – Focused on relationships, healing, growth, and drama.
😂 Comedy – Light-hearted and hilarious, full of misunderstandings and laughter.
😱 Horror & Thriller – Designed to terrify, disturb, or send chills down your spine.
🕵️♀️ Classic Mystery – Solve crimes or hidden puzzles through deduction and logic.
♟️ Mechanics-Based – Includes unique rules like timers, resource management, or voting twists.
🐺 Faction Conflict – Secret alliances, betrayals, and psychological mind games.
🧩 Each script delivers a unique emotional and strategic experience—whether you want to cry, laugh, betray, or connect.
Themes in MysteryAct
MysteryAct stories can take place anywhere and tackle any subject. It's as diverse as human imagination.
🧙 Fantasy & Magic – Sorcerers, enchanted worlds, sword-and-sorcery, or eastern immortals.
🚀 Science Fiction & Futurism – Cyberpunk, time travel, AI societies, or interstellar intrigue.
🏛️ Historical & Mythological – From ancient civilizations to Victorian drama and beyond.
🏙️ Modern-Day Stories – Urban thrillers, workplace battles, campus romances.
🧟 Horror & Suspense – Cult rituals, cosmic horror, haunted spaces, or psychological dread.
🔀 Genre-Bending – Some stories blend genres for something truly unexpected and original.
🛠️ These are only examples—the possibilities are endless.
MysteryAct and Narrative RPGs (DnD, CoC, etc.)
MysteryAct shares many similarities with narrative RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons (DnD) and Call of Cthulhu (CoC)—but also offers a distinct experience.
Shared Spirit, Different Focus
MysteryAct: Built around pre-written scripts. Perfect for players who love deep stories without needing complex rules or experienced GMs.
DnD/CoC: Uses open-world frameworks, improvisation, and game mechanics for collaborative storytelling across multiple sessions.
Design Philosophy
📘 MysteryAct: Author-crafted narratives ensure tight pacing and emotional impact—great for one-shot experiences.
🎲 DnD/CoC: Ideal for long-term progression, sandbox freedom, and custom adventures.
🎮 Rather than being competitors, these formats enrich the role-playing ecosystem. Whether you're here for streamlined storytelling or open-ended exploration, there's something for everyone.
MysteryAct and Traditional Murder Mystery Games
MysteryAct was inspired by the classic "Whodunit" genre, but has evolved far beyond.
🔍 Murder Mystery: Focuses solely on solving a crime.
🌌 MysteryAct: Can be about love, war, grief, dreams, rebellion—anything.
🎉 Murder Mystery: Often played casually at parties with minimal preparation.
🎭 MysteryAct: Designed for cinematic immersion, layered emotions, and dramatic tension.
🧠 Think of Murder Mystery as a logic puzzle—MysteryAct is a full emotional journey.
Together, they show how interactive storytelling can evolve—from deduction to drama.
Online “No Host” MysteryAct Games
These games are fully automated—no human host required, ideal for remote players who want quick, accessible experiences.
📦 Scripted Systems: The platform guides you through the story—no setup or moderator needed.
🕵️ Anonymous Play: Players use avatars or voice-only roles for immersive mystery and privacy.
⚡ Fast-Paced & Dynamic: Great for casual or first-time players, with the thrill of deduction and role-play.
Platforms like Anzir make it easy to jump into a story anytime, from anywhere.
In-Person MysteryAct Games (With or Without Host)
For the most immersive experience, nothing beats a physical table and real-time drama:
🎙️ With Host (GM): A trained guide manages scenes, pacing, and emotional flow—ideal for complex or atmospheric stories.
📝 No Host Needed: Many scripts come with self-guided phases and prompts—players can run games themselves with minimal prep.
💻 Want to play remotely? Many in-person scripts can be adapted to Discord, Zoom, or Anzir’s virtual table for remote storytelling with friends.
Why MysteryAct (Jubensha) Is So Captivating
🌍 Explore New Worlds – Travel through time, fantasy, politics, or emotion in just a few hours.
💬 Connect with Others – Play is built around empathy, conflict, and human expression.
📚 Rich Stories, Easy Entry – No rules to memorize—just compelling roles and unforgettable choices.
🚀 A Global Movement – After captivating millions in China, MysteryAct is spreading across the globe via platforms like Anzir.
Final Thoughts
MysteryAct (Jubensha) isn’t just a game—it’s shared imagination, co-created art, and human drama at its finest.
You’re not just solving a case.
You’re confronting betrayal, exploring love, changing fates, and becoming someone new.
✨ Ready to begin your next story? Join a local venue—or explore immersive digital games on platforms like Anzir. The stage is set. Your character awaits.