1. Trivia Murder Party 3
  2. News

Trivia Murder Party 3 News

Dev Diary #2

[p]The Trivia Murder Party 3 team is hard at work making a new trivia party game full of minigames, new and old. They definitely are NOT trying to escape a murder sleepaway-camp run by a disembodied voice with daddy issues. Ahem. Where were we?[/p][p]Ah yes, minigames! Trivia Murder Party has always been a beautiful yin and yang of trivia and minigames. The great fun of Trivia Murder Party is that you still might win, even if trivia isn’t your strong suit.[/p][p]Designing Trivia Murder Party 3 gave our team the unique opportunity to revisit and reimagine minigames from the first two installments, deciding which ones to bring back and how to evolve them. At the same time, moving to Unreal opened the door to entirely new concepts as well, allowing us to push the boundaries of what a Trivia Murder Party minigame could be.Working in a new engine allowed the team to think outside of what was possible before.[/p][p]We spoke to the team on an all new minigame coming to Trivia Murder Party 3.[/p][p][/p][p]Can you tease an upcoming new minigame? What’s the premise and how does it work?[/p][p]One of the new games we’re working on is called Archery. Vulnerable players must place themselves on an archery target and safe players aim and shoot at them. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p] [/p][p]Where did the idea for “Archery” come from?[/p][p]Once we locked down the camp setting, this was one of the first new ideas we greenlit. It checked a lot of boxes for us: it fit the theme well, it allowed safe players to knock out vulnerable players, and it gave us an opportunity to do something new and interesting with the controller. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p][/p][p]What challenges did you have to overcome while designing this minigame?[/p][p]The biggest challenge that arose was figuring out how the aiming and shooting mechanic should work. We initially tested a timing-based mechanic where you had to intersect two fast moving lines. Our first stab at this proved to be too difficult. Playtesters were consistently missing the mark, which was not the intent. We want something that is challenging but certainly not impossible. After dialing the speed of the lines down, it improved some but it still wasn’t yielding great results. [/p][p]Then, our Lead Designer, Joe France, had a better solution. He designed the mechanic to mimic what it’s like to shoot a bow and arrow. You press and drag to aim and then release to shoot. The catch? The longer you spend aiming, the more your reticle starts to wander. Tired arms make for bad shots. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p]This better control scheme unlocked a lot of design space, too. With intersecting lines, we could only define how fast each line should scan its way across your device. Now, we can tune in how much your reticle will naturally sway, how long it takes for fatigue to set in, and how much force you need to drag to meaningfully guide the reticle around. If you think you’re getting the hang of it, well…. don’t get too comfortable! - Ryan McGill, Infra Engineer[/p][p] [/p][p]Did the minigame look very different when you first started making it up until now?[/p][p]In addition to changing the mechanic, we also initially tested it taking place inside a cabin, believe it or not. This game now takes place outside. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p][/p][p]How are you incorporating fan favorite minigames into the new Trivia Murder Party 3 while still making them feel fresh and well integrated with the new title?[/p][p]We know what some of our fans’ favorite games are from a survey we sent out last year. We use that info in helping shape some of our decisions into what games are coming back into Trivia Murder Party 3. Many of the returning games have fresh new twists applied to them in addition to fun new aesthetics in this 3D space. But just like from Trivia Murder Party to Trivia Murder Party 2, we are going to introduce a majority of new games. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p] [/p][p]How do you make sure minigames are well balanced and fun before the audience gets to play?[/p][p]We playtest our games constantly. Even when a game is playtesting well and receiving positive feedback, making tweaks to timing and controls and presentation has enabled us to explore other opportunities. We're not always pursuing the first concept we land on, even if it gets good feedback. Always seeking ways to improve and learn why some things are working, some aren’t. - Sydney Hunt, Game Product Manager[/p][p][/p][p]Are there any fun or silly minigame ideas that got pitched but could never make it to production? Why?[/p][p]Do we have a lot of dumb ideas documented somewhere? Absolutely. Some of them are wonderfully dumb but are either out of scope or not technically feasible. But I wouldn’t say “never” as I’ve learned over the years that if enough people love an idea, we usually find ways to make it work. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p] [/p][p]Which of \[REDACTED]’s minigames do you think you could survive irl? 👀[/p][p]Dictation. Not to brag, but I beat my high school typing instructor in a typing challenge. Again, not a flex (but I won pretty easily). - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p]Math! I’m positive. How many numbers could there possibly be?! - Ryan McGill, Infra Engineer[/p][p] [/p][p]Trivia Murder Party 3 is set to release in early access in 2026. Wishlist now so you don’t miss when it drops![/p][p]Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know![/p]

Dev Diary #1

[p]Jackbox has been hard at work on Trivia Murder Party 3 because we wanted to give our fans more of the world they know and love. The Trivia Murder Party franchise has always been full of rich lore and a beloved murdering host who threatened us with bodily harm if we didn’t make another game for him to star in. We had no choice but to give the people what they want![/p][p]By making Trivia Murder Party 3 a stand-alone title, our devs get the opportunity to give the franchise our full attention while working in Unreal Engine 5, a new tool for us. The Jackbox Party Pack format is brilliant for variety, but it limits how much we can innovate our tech and how deeply we can explore any single game. A standalone title lets us go all-in, creating a deeper and richer experience, while being able to try new things like online matchmaking. And we can continue to support Trivia Murder Party 3 with future content updates, like new trivia questions and minigames. He’s been saying it for years, but \[REDACTED] really does deserve our undivided attention….[/p][p]We sat down with a handful of devs from the Trivia Murder Party team to share a behind-the-scenes look at this upcoming title and what it takes to make a new game at Jackbox.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Trivia Murder Party 3 has been announced to the world! What has development of the game been like up until this point, and how does it feel to see fans reacting to the news? [/p][p]It’s been exciting to see fans reacting to the news! Although it’s confusing as to why so many people are happy about the return of \[REDACTED]. That guy is a literal nightmare to work with. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p][/p][p]Development has been a blast. We’ve seen your whispers, your requests, your “give us TMP3” posts, and it’s been so rewarding to finally answer that call. Seeing fans light up at the announcement makes all those months of ideation and iteration feel worth it. Wins on wins on wins! - Alex Weick, Senior Producer[/p][p] [/p][p]In what ways is development of Trivia Murder Party 3 similar to development during the first two installments? In what ways has it been different? [/p][p]There’s a lot to live up to, and we’re dedicated to keeping the spirit of TMP intact throughout development while introducing meaningful ways to play, connect, and evolve the experience without losing what made it special. We’re adding a ton of fresh new content and also diving back into some fan-favorite mini-games from the previous installments. Reimagining them through the lens of summer camp, riffing on what fans already love, and finding ways to add *s’more* chaos has been particularly fun. - Sydney Hunt, Game Product Manager[/p][p] [/p][p]The Unreal Eengine gives us a chance to make the game feel more cinematic and alive than ever before. There’s been a lot of excitement to try ideas that the team wanted to do in previous versions, but just didn’t have the technology to make it happen. - Joe France, Senior Game Designer[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Why are we revisiting the Trivia Murder Party franchise now, and as a standalone game with online multiplayer?[/p][p]Trivia Murder Party has always been a standout, blending trivia, social mini-games, and a campy horror vibe that’s uniquely Jackbox. Fans have flooded our feeds with love for the game, begging for more questions, new mini-games, and a deeper dive into its twisted world and that has inspired us to take a daring leap forward. Revisiting Trivia Murder Party as a standalone game gives us an opportunity to further explore this rich world and give the franchise the spotlight it deserves. More importantly, Trivia Murder Party 3 isn’t just a standalone sequel title, it’s a stage for us to push boundaries and innovate for this franchise and Jackbox Games as a whole. - Mike Zuba, Executive Producer[/p][p] [/p][p]It can take a lot of work for players to do all the scheduling needed with friends to host a Jackbox party. While still supporting \[the traditional way to play Jackbox], we did want to make it easier for players to enjoy the game they purchased with fewer hoops to jump through. - Joe France, Senior Game Designer[/p][p] [/p][p]We’ve always focused on local play, but we kept hearing from players who wanted a smoother way to play remotely (whether with friends or strangers) without the need for complex coordination or relying on workarounds. Online multiplayer in TMP3 is our way of making the experience more accessible, spontaneous, and frictionless for everyone. - Sydney Hunt, Game Product Manager[/p][p][/p][p]Is there a moment from a prior meeting or playtest that stands out to you as especially exciting or pivotal? How did it influence the direction that the team is going in? [/p][p]This past fall we had a big onsite meeting that resulted in a lot of exciting brainstorm sessions. It not only grew our backlog of ideas, but it allowed us to align on the things important to the game and some areas that could be improved upon. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p] [/p][p]Without giving too much away, seeing some classic TMP beats come to life in a new engine has been genuinely transformational. Another moment that stands out is the first time we got host audio in the game. This is my first TMP, and hearing \[REDACTED]’s voice for the first time in that context was surreal. They’re simply an icon! - Alex Weick, Senior Producer[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]What can you share about the setting of Trivia Murder Party 3? What were the sources of inspiration for the summer camp theme that the game exists in? [/p][p]TMP3 is set at an old abandoned summer camp that \[REDACTED] attended as a teenager. Like its predecessors, this installment is also influenced by horror films, specifically the slasher camp genre. [/p][p]Several folks on the team have attended a summer camp in their youth, so it’s been fun/mortifying to recall personal experiences into brainstorms. Will the game feature a talent show wherein \[REDACTED] performs the cheerleader sketch from SNL (just like I did back in the day)? You’ll just have to wait and see! - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p]
It seems the former administrators of the camp left behind some old cassette tapes… \[REDACTED] might incorporate them into his macabre game show. - Brian Chard, Senior Audio Lead[/p][p] [/p][p]What makes the team working on Trivia Murder Party 3 unique? Does the team have any traditions or new processes they are trying? What has been the best part about working with this specific group of people? [/p][p]The team working on Trivia Murder Party 3 is really special because it brings together a mix of people who have deep experience with the series, others who are bringing in fresh ideas for the first time, and of course, \[REDACTED], our resident expert in the craft of murder. There’s a real respect for what made the first two games so beloved, but also an excitement about pushing the format in new ways. There’s a lot of laughter in the room, a lot of “what if we tried this?” energy, and a real willingness to take risks together. - Sydney Hunt, Game Product Manager[/p][p][/p][p] What are some beloved things we can promise WILL return in this latest installment of Trivia Murder Party 3?[/p][p]1. Trivia
2. Murder
3. Party? - tbd - Brian Chard, Senior Audio Lead[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Will there be marshmallows?[/p][p]Fielding this question during TMP1 and 2 development was weird, but now it’s not. Yes, there will be marshmallows. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p]Our first marshmallow recording session is next week, I think. - Brian Chard, Senior Audio Lead[/p][p] [/p][p]What’s your favorite camping memory?[/p][p]Growing up, I spent a lot of time camping with my dad in Canada. Those trips were basically a crash course in all of his favorite things, but the most consistent part was the soundtrack. We’d sing along to Randy Travis and Johnny Cash on repeat while he played guitar and harmonica by the fire. During one of those campfire jams, I fell face-first into the flames. Luckily, his “dad reflexes” kicked in and he had me out before I even knew what happened but, needless to say, singing Ring of Fire hit a little different after that. - Sydney Hunt, Game Product Manager[/p][p] [/p][p]During a family camping trip to Colorado, my sister and I entered a drawing contest organized by the camp rangers. The drawing my sister made of a “chipmunk” was so cursed that it became part of family lore. This 30-year-old drawing will still surface during the holidays. It’s truly legendary. - Spencer Ham, Senior Creative Director[/p][p] [/p][p]While camping, we didn’t put our trash away as we should have. When I woke up the next morning, I heard a story from my parents about a curious bear who wandered in and started sniffing me from the other side of the tent. - Joe France, Senior Game Designer[/p][p] [/p][p]Excited to know more about Trivia Murder Party 3? Follow us on social media for the latest updates or join our newsletter to never miss anything from \[REDACTED].[/p]

Everything You Need To Know About Trivia Murder Party 3 Online-Play

[p]Jackbox players have long asked for ways to play with friends across the globe - who knew our fans were so popular? Actually… we did! We know many of you are already finding creative ways to play remotely using social apps and other platforms. But as online gaming becomes a cornerstone of social play, we want to make it even easier by empowering you to connect and play with old and new friends directly within our games, no extra apps or complicated coordination required. And what better way to connect with friends and strangers online than a game of Trivia Murder Party 3, where new connections may cost you your life (but at least you’ll die laughing)?[/p][p]We’re thrilled to bring online play to this fan-favorite title, and with it comes an exciting challenge: how do we preserve the Jackbox experience players know and love from local Trivia Murder Party, while seamlessly adapting it for online play?[/p][p]We want online play in Trivia Murder Party 3 to be as simple and approachable as Jackbox Games have always been and we’re building the experience with that in mind. Players who purchase the standalone game can easily start a lobby, have local players join just like any other Jackbox game, or hop online to connect with other remote groups. Even better, your local players can come along for the online ride. Neat![/p][p]Hate playing games with strangers online (dare we say… stranger danger)? Good news! Local play isn't going anywhere in Trivia Murder Party 3, so you can still hop on with just the friends you have in the room.[/p][p]Read on to learn more about what's coming in Trivia Murder Party 3’s online-play mode![/p][p][/p][h2]Trivia Murder Party 3 Online-Play Frequently Asked Questions:[/h2][p] [/p][p]Will Trivia Murder Party 3 work over Discord, Zoom, Google Meet, and other video applications?[/p][p]Yes! I have bad news about Skype, but all the platforms mentioned here (and even more besides) should support playing over video, just like previous Jackbox Games.[/p][p]Can I play Trivia Murder Party 3 on my phone like other Jackbox games?[/p][p]Yes! Just like other Jackbox games, in TMP3 you’ll be using your phone (or tablet, or anything with a browser) as your controller, for both online and offline play. Murder-mayhem right at your fingertips![/p][p]Can I play Trivia Murder Party 3 locally with my friends in the same room?[/p][p]Yes! Even though we're adding online play, we're not taking away local play. Go throw a house party.[/p][p]Can I play TMP3 online with my friend who is in the room on the same game?[/p][p]Yes! Whether it’s just one other person or a house party with you and six of your closest friends, you can fill the remaining spots with online players.[/p][p]How many people will be in any single online match in Trivia Murder Party 3?[/p][p]Online matches will support up to 8 players, just like other Trivia Murder Party titles. The only difference now is that you may not know all or any of them! That part’s up to you.[/p][p]Will I need a subscription for online matchmaking in Trivia Murder Party 3?[/p][p]No, you won't need a subscription for online matchmaking within our game. Once you purchase the game, all online play features, including matchmaking with friends or strangers, are included at no additional cost. If playing on a console, you may need a subscription to access online services for the platform you’re on, like Nintendo Online, Playstation Plus, or Xbox Game Pass.[/p][p]Will there be voice chat in the game?[/p][p]In Early Access, Trivia Murder Party 3 won’t include built-in voice chat. Creating a safe and trustworthy environment for players is a top priority, and building the right systems to support that takes time. It’s something that’s definitely on our radar for the future.[/p][p]How are you moderating bad behavior online?[/p][p]In Early Access, we’re launching with a light set of social features designed to help create a safe and positive online environment. For example, mod.jackbox.tv will continue to offer moderation tools like kicking unruly players. We are also designing a lot of the game to not need heavy moderation just to keep the fun going. I bet we'll have more to say about this in future posts and as we explore more moderation tools in Early Access![/p][p]Are there going to be online parental settings?[/p][p]While Trivia Murder Party 3 won’t include custom in-game parental settings at launch, we’ll be following the guidelines and requirements of the platforms we’re releasing on - many of which already offer built-in parental controls and monitoring tools. We always encourage families to make use of these settings to help create a safe and comfortable play environment.[/p][p] [/p][p]Wishlist Trivia Murder Party 3[/p]

Trivia Murder Party 3 has been delayed

[p]Hi everyone,[/p][p][/p][p]We’ve made the decision to delay Trivia Murder Party 3 into 2026. [/p][p][/p][p]From the beginning, Trivia Murder Party 3 has been one of our most ambitious projects yet. The game is being built in a new engine and it will be our first Jackbox title in recent years with online matchmaking. It is also the first title we hope to continuously update with new events and content after its release. [/p][p][/p][p]We know how much the Trivia Murder Party franchise means to our fans and to our team. We are excited to collaborate with our players to help Trivia Murder Party 3 evolve and we want to create the best possible starting point. We know that can only be achieved by giving our staff the space, time, and work environment to do what they do best. [/p][p][/p][p]We can’t wait to bring the party to you next year. In the meantime, you can follow our progress on the Trivia Murder Party 3 Steam page and on our blog. We look forward to sharing more with you soon. Thank you for your patience with us and for your support of our games for so many years.[/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Jackbox Games[/p]
[h2][/h2][hr][/hr][h3]Want to stay up to date with the latest developments?[/h3][h2]Wishlist Trivia Murder Party 3[/h2]