Clue was created by Anthony E. Pratt and originally published by Parker Brothers. I chose this game because it is a good example of how game design tells a story. My thesis is that Clue creates its mystery not through a written plot, but through its mechanics, player interactions, and board layout, which all work together to build a story through gameplay. At the same time, the game also raises important questions about accessibility, since the way it’s designed can make it hard for some people to participate.
For mechanics, in Clue, players move around a mansion, make suggestions about the murder (like who did it, where, and with what), and try to figure out the correct combination by process of elimination. That simple setup creates the dynamic of deduction, where players are constantly paying attention to what other people say and trying to figure out what cards they’re hiding. The aesthetic part, comes from the excitement of slowly figuring things out. It’s satisfying when a theory you had turns out to be right, and even more satisfying when you’re the one to solve the mystery first.
One of the most interesting things about Clue is how the setting, the mansion, actually controls how the mystery unfolds. You can only make a suggestion about a room if your character is physically in that room. That rule means you have to move around the board strategically. Sometimes it takes a few turns just to get to the room you need, and that adds suspense. The layout of the board creates tension and makes players think carefully about where they go next. The game doesn’t give you a story in words or cutscenes, but it still feels like a story is happening because of how you move and make choices. It’s a great example of “emergent narrative,” where the story forms through the way you play, not through something that’s pre-written.
Clue also includes a social part. Even though it’s competitive, you end up working through the mystery alongside other people. Everyone is trying to solve the same puzzle, and you learn from each other’s guesses. This makes the game fun in a group, and the experience is more about solving the mystery than beating each other. That kind of fun, figuring things out and sharing theories, makes Clue stand out compared to other mystery games like Among Us, which is more about lying and bluffing.
However, even though Clue is a great game, it definitely has some problems when it comes to accessibility. The original version uses small cards, colors, and written notes, which can make it hard for people with visual impairments or memory difficulties to play. The mobile and digital versions have tried to help with features like automatic note-taking and colorblind options, but there are still issues. I read a post online from a visually impaired player who said, “Even in the mobile app, there’s no way to play without vision. It doesn’t narrate the map, so I can’t even tell where I’m going.” That shows how important it is to think about who might be left out when designing a game.
One idea to improve accessibility could be changing how information is shared. Instead of everyone keeping their own clues secret, maybe a version of the game could use shared hints or team play where people can talk through their reasoning. That way, the game could still be challenging and fun without making it impossible for some people to join in. Accessibility isn’t just about adding a few features; it’s about making sure the way a game works doesn’t leave anyone out.
