THE STILL ROOM

How to play

Two minutes of setup makes the whole evening work. Everyone in your group should run through this before the host starts.

What you need

A device each
A phone, tablet or laptop with a web browser for every player. Each one holds clues the others can't see. No app, nothing to download.
Sound
The house knocks, rings and whispers, and some sounds play on only one person's phone. Sound on for everyone.
One shared screen (optional)
The host can put the house on a TV or laptop so everyone sees it together.
60–90 minutes
Most groups take an hour to an hour and a half. Your progress is saved if you need to stop.
Up to 6 players, or just you
Play in the same room, or together on a video call.

Before we begin

  1. Turn your sound on. Volume up. On an iPhone, flick the silent switch on the side off (no orange showing): silent mode mutes web pages. If you use Bluetooth headphones or a speaker, check that's where the sound is going. The lobby plays a knock so you can check before you start.
  2. Stay on the game screen. Keep the game tab open and in front for the whole game, and don't let your phone lock. The game asks your browser to keep the screen awake; if it can't, set Auto-Lock to Never until you're out.
  3. Charge your phone. An hour and a half of a bright screen and sound uses battery. Plug in, or start full.
  4. Lights low. It's a ghost story. Dim the lights. Headphones are optional but make it creepier.
  5. Know whether scares are on. The host chooses whether jump scares are on when they open the game, and the lobby tells everyone. With them off, the atmosphere and story stay; nothing jumps at you.
  6. Look away at your own risk. The house notices when you're not watching. We won't say more.
  7. Say you're ready. In the lobby, play the knock, confirm you heard it, then press I'm ready. The host sees who's ready and can start whenever the group is.

Starting the game

The person who bought the game signs in at Your games and chooses to host a games night or play alone. A games night shows a five-letter code: everyone else goes to playthestillroom.com/join, types it in and picks a name. Each player signs in with their own email; it takes a minute.

If someone has to leave partway through, the game carries on and shares their clues out to whoever is still playing.