Overview

Chronicles of Crime is a cooperative crime-investigation game that combines a physical board game with a companion mobile app. Players work together as a team of forensic experts in London, scanning QR codes on cards and boards to interrogate suspects, investigate locations, collect evidence, and solve criminal cases. The app drives the narrative, while the physical components provide the tactile interface. The quicker you solve the case, the better your score.

Components

• 1 Evidence Board (with 20 Evidence slots, 6 Location slots, 3 Unlocated Characters slots)
• 12 Location Boards (each with 3 character slots)
• 4 Forensic Contact Boards
• 40 Character Cards
• 40 Evidence Category & Special Item Cards
• Free companion app (iOS/Android, required to play)
• VR Glasses (optional, for 3D crime scene viewing)

Setup

1. Place the Location Boards to the side of the Evidence Board.
2. Place Character Cards and Special Item Cards face down to the side of the board.
3. All Evidence Category Cards are always in play – split them among the players.
4. All Forensic Contact boards are always in play – split them among the players.
5. Set the Home Location (Police Station) at the bottom of the Evidence Board.
6. Launch the app, select the scenario and episode you want to play.

Note: The Evidence Board has 20 Evidence slots, 6 Location slots, 3 Unlocated Character slots, and each Location Board contains 3 character slots.

Turn Structure

Chronicles of Crime does not have traditional turns. The game is played cooperatively in real-time, with the group discussing and deciding actions together.

Progress is made by scanning QR codes on cards and boards using the app. When the scan window is displayed, point the phone camera at any QR code. Wait for the code to turn green, then tap anywhere to trigger the scan.

Types of Scans

Scan a Location Card: Move to that location.

Scan a Character Card: Interrogate that character. Once scanned, you can ask about other characters or evidence by scanning those cards while in interrogation mode. Exit by pressing “goodbye.”

Scan an Evidence Category Card: Pick up a clue you have spotted. If important, the app indicates you should place it on the Evidence Board.

Scan a Forensic Contact: Call your forensic contact. Every subsequent scan makes your contact comment on that topic. Exit by pressing “goodbye.”

Actions

Discovering New Elements

Cards stay face-down until the app explicitly reveals them by name, number, or letter.

• New Locations: Place on one of the 6 Location slots on the side of the board.
• New Characters: Place on one of the 3 Character slots at the indicated location. If location is unknown, use an Unlocated Character slot.
• Evidence Category cards: Found while searching crime scenes. Only cards identified as clues go on the Evidence Board.
• Special Item cards: Immediately placed on the Evidence Board when revealed.

Searching for Evidence (Crime Scenes)

Some locations allow evidence searches. Press “Search the Scene” in the app.

3D Mode: Place VR glasses on the phone screen to view the scene in 3D. Panoramic Mode: Swipe left/right to observe the scene in 360 degrees.

You have 40 seconds to look at the scene and describe what you see to other players. Other players search their Evidence Category Cards for matching items. When time expires, you may choose to search again (costing more in-game time) or stop.

Finally, scan all selected Evidence Category Cards. The app confirms which are actual clues to place on the Evidence Board.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Time and Scoring

Each scan of an item, character interrogation, or scene observation costs 5 minutes of in-game time. Each travel between locations costs 20 minutes of in-game time. The quicker you solve the case, the better your score.

In some scenarios, the passage of in-game time can change the situation.

Ending the Game

When you believe you have solved the case, return to the Home Location (Police Station) and press “Solve the Case.” The app presents a series of questions. Scan the cards that support your deductions. Your score depends on your answers.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• The app must be installed on at least one phone or tablet. Only one device is needed. No internet connection is required during play (only for initial download).
• Try the tutorial investigation first to learn how the game works.
• The group should discuss together which cards to scan.
• If you are unsure where a Character is located, place them on an Unlocated Character slot. Move them when you discover their location.
• Scanning may fail due to room lighting (avoid sharp shadows), sleeved cards (reflections), or a dirty camera lens.
• Make sure the QR code is inside the indicated square and hold the phone still.
• Time is not always your friend – rushing may cause you to miss important clues.

Player Reference

Core loop: Travel to location > Interrogate characters > Search for evidence > Analyze clues > Solve the case

Time costs: | Action | In-game Time | |——–|————-| | Scan item/character/evidence | 5 minutes | | Travel to new location | 20 minutes |

Card types: | Symbol | Card Type | |——–|———–| | Face icon | Character Card | | Pin icon | Location Card | | Star icon | Special Item Card |

To end: Return to Police Station > “Solve the Case” > Answer questions > Score based on accuracy and speed.