Case File 01 — The Missing Prototype

A cooperative printable detective case in English, designed for 2–4 adults. One missing object. Seven evidence pages. No host.

Investigate a disappearance, together

An important physical prototype has vanished from a small product design studio just before its public reveal. Read the records, compare the statements and build a joint explanation of what happened.

This is a single-case PDF deduction game in English, designed for 2–4 adults. Everyone sees the same materials. There are no secret roles and no separate host. The fictional case does not involve murder, violence or forensic expertise.

What you receive

One ZIP containing everything needed to investigate and check your answer:

• START_HERE.txt with setup and file-opening instructions.
• An 11-page player PDF: setup, case brief, four suspect profiles, seven evidence pages and investigation questions.
• Three optional, progressive hints in separate TXT files.
• A two-page solution PDF in a clearly separated “open after playing” folder.

The dossier uses simple black-and-white documents and tables. The preview images show excerpts from the actual player materials; they do not show the whole evidence set.

What you need

A device that can unzip files and open PDF and TXT files, a printer, A4 or US Letter paper, a pen and spare paper. The intended tabletop setup uses a printed copy of the 11-page player dossier. Print single-sided and choose “Fit to printable area.” No cutting, envelopes, hidden props or game app are required. Internet is not needed during play after download.

This is a digital download. No physical product, printer, paper or pen will be shipped.

How to play

1. Extract the ZIP and open START_HERE.txt.
2. Print the player PDF, read the brief and share the evidence.
3. Discuss your conclusion and record your joint answers.
4. Use the numbered hints only if needed.
5. Open the separate solution folder after finishing.

Early edition

Play duration and group experience have not yet been validated through human playtesting. No completion time, tested difficulty or four-player balance is promised. This is one fixed case with one solution; it is intended for a first investigation, not repeated mystery reveals.

Questions about files or setup? Use the project comments without posting spoilers.

Creation disclosure

The case text was created with generative AI assistance. The document layouts and preview graphics were assembled programmatically from the actual materials.