What is Script Game (Jubensha)?

Picture this: a table of people who have never met before, stepping together into an entirely new world. One moment, you might be a gangster plotting your next move; the next, a police officer chasing leads, a historical figure, a character from a sci-fi future, or even a creature from another species. Every Script Game offers a new world with its own rules, history, and cast of characters—each one a unique experience.

But how does this work? What is Jubensha (which we call Script Game)? At its core, a Script Game is a face-to-face, story-driven tabletop experience where you play from your character’s perspective, interacting freely with others. The world changes every time, and with it, the rules of play. Each game is almost its own genre, shaped by the story you’re stepping into.

In the mystery genre, you’re given a character with a backstory and secrets, but the goal is to solve a central puzzle—often a crime, a murder, or another unexplained event. You’ll trade information, interrogate others, and piece together clues. Some mysteries lean into suspense or horror for added tension.

In the strategy genre, it’s less about uncovering secrets and more about achieving goals through negotiation, alliances, or competition. Some add a humorous twist, turning every move into both a tactical and social challenge.

In the drama genre, the focus is shared storytelling and emotional arcs. You and the other players inhabit characters in a richly built world—almost like reading a short story together, except you are the characters. These journeys can be heartfelt, intense, or bittersweet, and often feature theatrical mini-scenes between chapters.

Script Games evolved from the popular Chinese genre Jubensha (剧本杀), widely recognized among Chinese players. For non-Chinese speakers, though, the term carries no immediate meaning. Some have translated it as “Murder Game” or “Mystery Game,” which are easier to grasp but misleading—they suggest mysteries are the whole of the genre, when in truth they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

That’s why we chose Script Game—a name that directly reflects the heart of the experience: a role-playing game built around a script. The full term, Script-Based Role-Playing Game, captures its essence while leaving room for every kind of theme and style, from sharp deduction to emotional drama to absurd comedy.