How to Create a ‘Who Am I?’ Game: A Step-by-Step Guide

Who Am I? games are a fun and engaging way to get to know people better, build teamwork, and boost creativity. These games involve guessing the identity of a secret person based on clues given by the players. Creating a Who Am I? game is simple and can be customized to fit any group or occasion. In this guide, we will take you through the steps of creating a successful Who Am I? game, from selecting the secret person to giving clues and revealing the answer. So, get ready to have some fun and discover the art of creating your very own Who Am I? game!

Choose a Theme and Create Clues

Select a theme for your game

• Choosing a theme is a crucial step in creating a ‘Who Am I?’ game as it sets the tone and direction for the game.
• The theme should be something that participants are familiar with, such as movies, music, or famous people.
• It is important to keep the theme simple and easy to understand so that participants can easily guess the answer.
• It is also recommended to choose a theme that is relevant to the age group and interests of the participants.
• Once the theme is selected, create clues that are related to the theme and provide hints about the answer without directly revealing it.

Write clues and answers

Descriptive and Specific Clues

When writing clues for your ‘Who Am I?’ game, it is important to make them as descriptive and specific as possible. This will help the players identify the subject of the game more easily and increase their chances of guessing correctly. Here are some tips for writing descriptive and specific clues:

• Use sensory details: Include details that will help the players imagine the subject of the game. For example, instead of simply saying “animal,” you could say “a four-legged animal with fur that barks.”
• Be specific about the subject’s characteristics: Rather than just saying “a person,” describe the person’s physical appearance, occupation, or other distinguishing features. For example, “a person who wears a hat and carries a briefcase.”
• Use clues that are unique to the subject: Think about what makes the subject of the game different from other things in the world. For example, “a fruit that is always orange.”

List of Answers

Once you have written your clues, create a list of answers that correspond to each clue. This will be used by the players to guess the subject of the game. Make sure that each answer is specific and unique to the clue it corresponds to.

Example

Here is an example of how to write clues and answers for a ‘Who Am I?’ game based on the theme of fruits:

Clue: “A fruit that is always orange.”
Answer: “Orange.”

Clue: “A fruit that is usually green and has seeds.”
Answer: “Seedless watermelon.”

Clue: “A fruit that is red and round.”
Answer: “Tomato (technically a vegetable).”

By following these tips, you can create clues and answers that will make your ‘Who Am I?’ game challenging and fun for your players.

Create Question Cards

Choose a card template

When it comes to creating question cards for your ‘Who Am I?’ game, it’s important to choose a card template that fits your theme and clues. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

• Consider the theme of your game: The theme of your game will play a big role in determining the type of card template you choose. For example, if your game is based on movies, you might choose a card template that features movie posters or characters.
• Choose a simple design and font: You want your question cards to be easy to read and understand, so it’s important to choose a card template with a simple design and font. Avoid using overly fancy fonts or designs that could be distracting or confusing.
• Consider the number of clues: Depending on the number of clues you want to include on each card, you may need to choose a card template that allows for enough space to write them all down.
• Test out different templates: Once you’ve narrowed down your options, test out different card templates to see which one works best for your game. You may need to tweak the design or layout of the cards to ensure they’re easy to use and understand.

Fill in the clues and answers

Creating the question cards is a crucial step in making your ‘Who Am I?’ game. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Copy and paste the clues and answers onto the card template: Start by opening the card template on your computer or word processing software. Then, copy and paste the clues and answers you have created onto the appropriate spaces on the template. Make sure to leave enough space for the players to write their answers.
2. Print out the cards on white paper: Once you have filled in the clues and answers, print out the cards on white paper. It is important to use white paper so that the players can write their answers clearly.

It is also important to note that the clues and answers should be written in a way that is easy for the players to understand. Use simple language and avoid using any jargon or technical terms that may be confusing to the players. Additionally, make sure that the clues and answers are relevant to the person you are describing, and that they provide enough information for the players to guess who the person is.

Prepare the Game Materials

Gather materials

When it comes to preparing the materials for your ‘Who Am I?’ game, there are a few key items that you’ll need to have on hand. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure you have a sufficient number of pens and pieces of paper. These will be used for the players to take notes and write down their guesses during the game. Additionally, you’ll want to have a stopwatch or timer on hand to keep track of the time limits for each round of the game.

In terms of the physical game area, you’ll want to set up a table and chairs for the players to sit around. This will provide a central location for the game materials and also make it easy for everyone to see and participate in the game. If you have a large group of players, you may want to consider setting up multiple tables and running multiple rounds of the game simultaneously to keep everyone engaged.

Create the scorecard

Creating a scorecard is an essential part of any ‘Who Am I?’ game. The scorecard tracks the players’ progress and keeps a record of their correct answers. Here are the steps to create a scorecard:

1. Choose a format: The scorecard can be in the form of a simple table or a more elaborate design. Choose a format that is easy to read and understand.
2. Add columns: The scorecard should have columns for the player’s name, number of correct answers, and total points. The player’s name column should be at the top of the table, and the columns should be labeled clearly.
3. Add headers: Add headers to each column to indicate what they represent. For example, the “Player’s Name” column should have a header that says “Player,” and the “Number of Correct Answers” column should have a header that says “Correct Answers.”
4. Determine the scoring system: Decide on the scoring system for the game. For example, you can award one point for each correct answer, or you can give more points for more difficult questions.
5. Add instructions: Include instructions on how to play the game and how to score points. Make sure the instructions are clear and easy to understand.
6. Customize the scorecard: Customize the scorecard to fit the theme of the game or the occasion. You can add images, graphics, or decorations to make it more interesting.

Creating a scorecard is an essential part of any ‘Who Am I?’ game. It helps to keep track of the players’ progress and adds an element of competition to the game. By following these steps, you can create a scorecard that is easy to use and adds to the overall fun of the game.

Set Up the Game

Explain the rules

1. Establish the purpose of the game:
   • To encourage creative thinking and deduction skills.
   • To build trust and teamwork among players.
2. Determine the number of players:
   • Ideally, 5-10 players are best for this game.
   • However, it can be played with as few as 3 players or as many as 20.
3. Assign roles:
   • Each player is assigned a character (e.g., historical figure, fictional character, or celebrity).
   • Players should not reveal their character to the other players.
4. Provide clues:
   • Each player takes turns giving one-word clues about themselves without revealing their character.
   • Clues must be related to the character, but open-ended enough to encourage deductive reasoning.
   • Clues cannot be too direct or too easy; the goal is to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving.
5. Encourage deduction:
   • Players should actively listen to their teammates’ clues and use deductive reasoning to make an educated guess about the character.
   • Players should also provide feedback on the clues given by their teammates, helping them to refine their approach.
6. Keep score:
   • Players can keep score by awarding points for correct guesses and deductions.
   • The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
7. Encourage creativity:
   • Players can also award points for creative clues or unique approaches to the game.
   • This encourages players to think outside the box and use their imagination to solve the puzzle.
8. Time limits:
   • To add an extra challenge, you can set a time limit for the game.
   • This encourages players to think quickly and efficiently while still following the rules.
9. Review the rules:
   • It’s important to review the rules at the beginning of the game to ensure that everyone understands the objective and the expectations.
   • This also ensures that everyone is playing fairly and having fun.

Divide the players into teams

When setting up the game, it is important to divide the players into teams. This will allow the players to work together and use their individual strengths to solve the clues. There are a few different ways to divide the players into teams:

1. Divide the players into teams of two or three: This is a good option if you have an even number of players. Each team should have two or three players, and each player should be assigned a role as the “guesser” for their team.
2. Divide the players into teams based on their interests or skills: This is a good option if you have a large group of players with diverse interests and skills. For example, you could divide the players into teams based on their favorite hobbies or subjects of expertise. This will allow the players to work together and use their shared knowledge to solve the clues.
3. Divide the players into teams randomly: This is a good option if you have an odd number of players or if you want to mix things up and create some unexpected team dynamics. To divide the players randomly, you can use a random name picker app or website, or you can write the names of the players on slips of paper and draw them from a hat.

Play the Game

Start the game

To start the game, first give the players a set amount of time, such as 10-15 minutes, to answer as many questions as they can. This will give them a limited amount of time to gather information and think about their answers.

Next, it’s important to establish the rules of the game. This includes clarifying what types of questions are allowed, how much information the players can share with each other, and what the consequences are for breaking the rules. For example, if players are only allowed to ask yes or no questions, make sure they understand this and don’t try to ask more direct questions.

Once the rules are established, start the stopwatch when the game begins. This will help keep track of the time and ensure that everyone has the same amount of time to answer questions.

Finally, designate one player to go first, and let the game begin. Encourage players to ask questions and think critically about their answers to try to figure out the mystery person.

Rotate the guessers

After a set amount of time, rotate the guessers for each team. This allows the other players on the team to take a turn guessing. Here are the steps to rotate the guessers:

1. Determine the amount of time each player will be a guesser. This can vary depending on the group’s preference, but a common duration is about 5-10 minutes.
2. Designate the first set of guessers for each team. These players will start the game and try to guess the word or phrase.
3. After the set amount of time has passed, the team should rotate the guessers. This can be done by having the next player in line take the place of the previous guesser.
4. The new guesser should be given a chance to ask questions before the time runs out. If the new guesser needs more time, the previous guesser can continue asking questions until the new guesser is ready to take over.
5. The team should continue rotating the guessers until the word or phrase has been correctly guessed.

By rotating the guessers, the game remains challenging and engaging for all players, and everyone has a chance to participate in the fun.

Record the scores

To accurately record the scores for each team, you will need a scorecard for each team. This can be a simple piece of paper or a digital document that you can print out.

At the beginning of the game, make sure to explain the scoring system to both teams. Each time a player correctly guesses the identity of a person on their list, they earn a point for their team. If a player correctly guesses the identity of a person on another team’s list, they earn two points for their team.

It is important to keep track of the scores throughout the game so that you can determine the winner at the end. Make sure to update the scorecard for each team after each round of play.

Once the game is over, the team with the most points is declared the winner. If there is a tie, you can have a tiebreaker round to determine the winner.

Overall, keeping accurate scores is essential to determining the winner of the game. Make sure to record each point earned by each team and keep track of the scores throughout the game.

Evaluate and Debrief

Ask for feedback

Asking for feedback is an essential step in evaluating the success of your ‘Who Am I?’ game. By gathering feedback from the players, you can identify areas of improvement and make necessary changes for future games. Here are some tips on how to ask for feedback:

1. Approach players after the game: After the game is over, approach the players and ask them for their feedback. You can ask them if they enjoyed the game, if they found it challenging, and if they would play it again.
2. Use a feedback form: Create a feedback form that includes questions about the game, such as what they liked and didn’t like, what changes they would suggest, and whether they would recommend the game to others. You can also include a section for open-ended comments.
3. Ask for specific feedback: Instead of asking general questions, ask for specific feedback on different aspects of the game, such as the clues, the game board, and the rules. This will help you identify areas that need improvement.
4. Listen actively: When asking for feedback, listen actively to what the players have to say. Take notes and ask follow-up questions to clarify their comments. This will help you understand their feedback better and identify areas that need improvement.
5. Thank the players: Finally, thank the players for their feedback and let them know that their input is valuable. This will encourage them to provide honest feedback and help you improve your game.

Discuss the game

After the game is over, it’s important to discuss it with the players. This will give you an opportunity to get feedback on the game and to improve it for future play sessions. Here are some tips for discussing the game with the players:

• Start by thanking the players for participating in the game and expressing your appreciation for their feedback.
• Ask the players to share their thoughts on the game, including what they liked and didn’t like about it. This can be done through a group discussion or by asking each player individually.
• Encourage the players to be honest and constructive in their feedback. This will help you to identify areas where the game can be improved and to make changes for future play sessions.
• Take note of the feedback that you receive, and use it to make improvements to the game. This could include changing the theme, adjusting the clues, or making other modifications to the game.
• End the discussion by thanking the players again for their feedback and letting them know that you will be making changes to the game based on their input. This will show the players that their feedback is valued and will encourage them to participate in future play sessions.

FAQs

1. What is a ‘Who Am I?’ game?

A ‘Who Am I?’ game is a guessing game where one player thinks of a person, and the other players try to guess who it is by asking questions. The person who thinks of the person (the “nominator”) provides a series of clues, and the other players try to figure out who the person is based on those clues.

2. How do you play a ‘Who Am I?’ game?

To play a ‘Who Am I?’ game, you need at least two players. One player thinks of a person and provides clues to the other players, who try to guess who the person is. The nominator can set a time limit for the game, or the players can continue until someone correctly guesses the person. The nominator can also set rules for the type of clues that can be given.

3. What kind of clues can you give in a ‘Who Am I?’ game?

The clues you give in a ‘Who Am I?’ game should be descriptive and related to the person you are thinking of. You can give clues about the person’s appearance, occupation, hobbies, or other characteristics. You can also give positive clues (e.g. “I have blue eyes”) or negative clues (e.g. “I am not a musician”). Be creative and try to think of clues that will help the other players guess who the person is.

4. How do you win a ‘Who Am I?’ game?

The goal of a ‘Who Am I?’ game is to guess the person that the nominator is thinking of. The first player to correctly guess the person wins the game. If no one guesses the person within the time limit set by the nominator, the nominator can reveal the answer and the player with the closest guess wins.

5. Can you play a ‘Who Am I?’ game online?

Yes, you can play a ‘Who Am I?’ game online with friends or family using video chat platforms like Zoom or Skype. You can also play online games of ‘Who Am I?’ on websites like Pictionary or Skribbl.io. These online games use random generators to select the person you have to draw or describe, making it a fun and easy way to play the game.