The Detective Agency

The Detective Agency - Location-Based Murder Mystery Gaming Platform The Detective Agency is an innovative real-world gaming platform that transforms parks and public spaces into immersive crime scenes. Players use their smartphones to explore physical locations, solve location-based puzzles, and work together to identify the culprit. Project Overview Type: Location-Based Gaming Platform Industry: Entertainment & Gaming Target Market: Puzzle enthusiasts, tourists, team builders, and corporate groups Key Features Core Gameplay - Location-Based Exploration: Players visit real-world locations to hunt for clues - Puzzle Variety: Multiple puzzle types including photo challenges, code-breaking, and progressive dialog - Suspect Interrogation: Interactive chat system to question suspects and uncover alibis - Real-Time Multiplayer: Teams coordinate in real-time using SignalR for live updates - Dynamic Storytelling: Branching narratives based on player choices and discoveries - Progressive Unlocking: New locations unlock as players solve puzzles and eliminate suspects Game Mechanics - Team-Based Play: 2-6 players collaborate using a shared game code - Game Code System: Unique 6-character codes for each team session - Hint System: Optional hints with time penalties to prevent abuse - Scoring: Performance tracking based on time, hints used, and accuracy - Multiple Endings: Different conclusions based on whether players identify the correct culprit Technical Architecture Stack - Framework: ASP.NET Core 10.0 (C#) - Frontend: Blazor Server with Tailwind CSS - Real-Time: SignalR for multiplayer synchronization - Database: SQLite (development) with SQL Server option - Payment Processing: Stripe Buy Buttons and Checkout - Email Service: Resend for transactional emails - Marketing Site: Separate ASP.NET Core MVC site Key Technologies - Blazor Server: Interactive web UI with server-side rendering - SignalR Hub: Real-time game state synchronization across devices - Entity Framework Core: Database migrations and data access - Clean Architecture: Domain-Driven Design with separated layers - Playwright: End-to-end testing for game flows - Stripe Integration: Webhook-based payment processing - Mailchimp API: Automated subscriber list management Customer Journey - Marketing Site: Browse available mysteries and learn about the experience - Stripe Payment: Secure payment processing with buy buttons - Automated Email: Instant delivery of game code and briefing materials - Game Portal: Enter game code to access the investigation - Mobile Play: Responsive design works on any smartphone - Team Collaboration: Real-time sync across multiple devices Business Impact The Detective Agency platform demonstrates: - Innovation in Gaming: Combining digital and physical gameplay experiences - Technical Excellence: Real-time multiplayer, dynamic puzzle systems, and responsive design - User Experience: Streamlined from purchase to gameplay - Scalability: Clean architecture supporting multiple mysteries and concurrent games - Marketing Integration: Automated email campaigns and subscriber management The platform showcases expertise in building engaging, interactive experiences with modern web technologies, real-time communication, and payment processing.