Alice Is Missing

Even though Alice Is Missing has no traditional GM, a professional Game Master acts as a facilitator. Before play, they welcome you, explain tone and consent tools, and assign characters. They set up the group and private chats, keep the official timer and soundtrack on track, and introduce clue prompts at the right moments. During play, they handle rules questions in text, help shy players find their voice, and watch for safety. After the reveal, they guide a short debrief so everyone can land gently. For a sense of approaches, see GM playstyles.

Everyone communicates via messages, not speech. In person, you sit together with phones on silent and text in a group chat as well as private chats. Online, you do the same using a shared messaging space. The facilitator starts a 90-minute soundtrack and timed prompts. When prompts arrive, you reveal clues through texts and images. Table talk is off, but you can step out or pause if needed. The format feels natural within minutes, and the Game Master manages all tech so you can focus on the story.

The premise revolves around a missing teenager, allowing for themes such as grief, secrets, small-town pressure, and occasionally crime. You decide how intense the experience becomes. Prior to play, your facilitator conducts a content check and establishes clear lines and veils. You can choose to soften or eliminate topics like violence or substance abuse, focusing instead on friendship and hope. Safety tools remain active throughout the game, providing straightforward ways to pause or redirect. It is intended for mature audiences who are comfortable exploring emotional material together.

Alice Is Missing is designed for 3 to 5 players. This range ensures the texting threads remain manageable and the mystery stays engaging. With 6 players, the experience can diminish, so a professional Game Master may recommend alternatives. The two most suitable options are to split into two sessions, either consecutively or on different days, or to run two tables simultaneously that explore the same town. Both methods maintain the game's clarity while allowing everyone to participate meaningfully.

Bring a charged phone or laptop that you’re comfortable texting from. You will use a familiar messaging app, set to silent or vibrate. No dice, miniatures, or maps are required. The Game Master provides the soundtrack, character sheets, and prompt cards, and will create both group and private chats. In person, they supply the audio in the room. Online, they share a synced audio link. No app purchases are necessary. Expect a brief onboarding session, followed by around 90 minutes of play and a gentle debrief afterwards.

It runs beautifully online. Your facilitator sets up the group chat and individual threads, shares a synced soundtrack, and manages all timers. You can play on common tools like Discord or similar, with mics muted throughout. The format truly shines remotely because texting is second nature there. If you want a quick overview of how online sessions are organised and what platforms we use, see online play.

It is short, collaborative, and grounded. There are no dice, no combat turns, and no voice acting. You portray teens and adults in a contemporary town, interacting solely through texts. Clues arrive on a timer rather than from dungeon rooms. The tension stems from choices, relationships, and what you reveal, not from tactical rules. It is easy to learn and centres on emotion. If you enjoy mysteries, teen dramas, or true-crime podcasts, this satisfies that craving in a single sitting.