Behind the Scenes of Our TRL-Inspired 90s Mystery
- Ashley Seybolt
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
There’s something about the 90s that just sticks with you.
Maybe it’s the music. Maybe it’s the fashion. Or maybe it’s the very specific kind of chaos that came with live television, where anything could happen, and sometimes… it did.
When we started building our latest 90s murder mystery game, we knew we didn’t want it to feel like a generic throwback. We wanted it to feel like stepping directly into a moment. Into the noise, the pressure, and the personalities that defined that era.
And somehow, we kept coming back to the same image: A crowded studio. Fans pressed against the glass. A countdown ticking toward number one.
Where the Idea Started
We didn’t start with a killer. We didn’t even start with a victim. We started with a setting.
What would it feel like to be inside a 90s music countdown show? Not just watching it, but being part of it?
From there, the concept for this 90s murder mystery game started to take shape. A live broadcast. A mix of performers, producers, and industry insiders. A space where everyone is trying to be seen… and no one is really telling the full truth.
Once we had that, the rest became a lot more interesting. Because a setting like that doesn’t just give you energy, it gives you conflict.
Building the Story (Without Starting at the End)
One of the things we’ve learned while creating games is that the mystery works best when the story feels like it existed before the night of the event.
So instead of asking: “How do we create three murders?” We asked: “What happened years ago that would lead to this moment?”
That question changed everything.
It shifted the focus away from just the “what” and into the “why.” It gave us a foundation that made every interaction, every piece of evidence, and every character feel more grounded.
Because in this game, the tension doesn’t start when the countdown begins; it’s been building long before anyone stepped into the studio.
Character Design: Letting Personality Lead
This is always one of our favorite parts.
With a setting like this, we had so much to play with:
performers chasing their moment
executives chasing the next big hit
creatives trying to be recognized
and people behind the scenes who know more than they let on
We leaned into big personalities, because that’s what this world calls for. And of course… we leaned into the puns.
Names are one of the easiest ways to help players immediately step into character, and for a 90s murder mystery game, they also help reinforce the tone. Slightly over-the-top, a little tongue-in-cheek, but still grounded enough that the story can unfold naturally around them.
At the same time, every character needed a reason to be there and a reason to be involved. No one is just “extra” in this world.
Balancing Nostalgia and Story
It would have been easy to go all-in on nostalgia. And don’t get us wrong, it’s definitely there.
But we didn’t want the game to rely on references alone. We wanted it to feel like a story that could stand on its own, even if you’ve never watched a 90s music countdown show.
That meant making sure the mystery itself had weight.
As the night unfolds, players start to realize that what’s happening isn’t random. There are connections. There are patterns. And there’s something underneath it all that doesn’t quite sit right.
We won’t spoil anything, but we will say this: Not everything that sounds original… is.
What We Love About This One
Every game we create ends up having its own personality. This one feels a little louder. A little faster. A little more chaotic in the best way.
It’s the kind of game where:
conversations overlap
suspicions shift quickly
and players start piecing things together in real time
Which, honestly, feels pretty true to the setting.
At its core, this 90s murder mystery game is about more than the countdown. It’s about the people behind it. The ones in the spotlight, the ones behind the scenes, and the ones who never got their moment at all.
Stepping Into the Story
That’s always the goal. Not just to solve something, but to step into it. To feel like you’re part of a world where everyone has something to say, even if they’re not saying it out loud.
And by the time the night is over, you might find yourself asking: Was this ever really about the music?
Ready to find out? Check out CD: Countdown to Death and solve the mystery.
Could you survive a night in a 90s murder mystery?
I’d solve it before the final countdown
I’d be suspicious of everyone
I’d accidentally become a suspect
I’m probably the victim
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