Cluedo

Cluedo
The Classic Mystery Game
The Cluedo and Clue logos (2015–present)
Designer(s) Anthony E. Pratt[1]
Publisher(s) Hasbro
Waddingtons
Parker Brothers
Winning Moves
Publication date 1949 (1949)
Players 2 to 6
3 to 6
(editions vary)
Setup time 5 minutes
Playing time 10 to 60 minutes
Random chance Low (dice rolling)
Skill(s) required Deduction

Cluedo (/ˈkluːdoʊ/), known as Clue in North America, is a murder mystery game for three to six players that was devised by Anthony E. Pratt from Birmingham, England. The game was first manufactured by Waddingtons in the UK in 1949. Since then, it has been relaunched and updated several times, and it is currently owned and published by the American game and toy company Hasbro. The object of the game is to determine who murdered the game's victim ("Dr. Black" in the UK version and "Mr. Boddy" in North American versions), where the crime took place, and which weapon was used. Each player assumes the role of one of the six suspects, and attempts to deduce the correct answer by strategically moving around a game board representing the rooms of a mansion and collecting clues about the circumstances of the murder from the other players.

Numerous games, books, a film (Clue), and a musical have been released as part of the Cluedo franchise. Several spinoffs have been released featuring various extra characters, weapons and rooms, or different game play. The original game is marketed as the "Classic Detective Game", and the various spinoffs are all distinguished by different slogans.

In 2008, Cluedo: Discover the Secrets was created (with changes to board, gameplay and characters) as a modern spinoff, but it was criticised in the media and by fans of the original game. Cluedo: The Classic Mystery Game was then introduced in 2012, returning to Pratt's classic formula but also adding several variations. By 2016 Hasbro launched the current standard version of the game with the first new original character in over 67 years: Dr. Orchid.

History

In 1944, Anthony E. Pratt, an English musician, applied for a patent of his invention of a murder/mystery-themed game, originally named "Murder!".[2] Shortly thereafter, Pratt and his wife, Elva Pratt (1913-1990), who had helped in designing the game, presented it to Waddingtons' executive, Norman Watson, who immediately purchased it and provided its trademark name of "Cluedo" (a play on "clue" and "Ludo"; ludo is Latin for I play). Although the patent was granted in 1947, due to post-war shortages in the UK the game was not officially launched by Waddingtons until 1949.[2] It was simultaneously licensed to Parker Brothers in the US for publication, where it was renamed "Clue" along with other minor changes.[3]

There were several differences between the original game concept and that initially published in 1949, In particular, Pratt's original design calls for ten characters, one of whom was to be designated the victim by random drawing prior to the start of the game. These ten included the eliminated Mr. Brown, Mr. Gold, Miss Grey, and Mrs. Silver. The characters of Nurse White and Colonel Yellow were renamed Mrs. White and Colonel Mustard for the actual release. The game allowed for play of up to eight remaining characters, providing for nine suspects in total. Originally there were eleven rooms, including the eliminated "gun room" and cellar. In addition there were nine weapons including the unused bomb, syringe, shillelagh (walking stick/cudgel), fireplace poker, and the later used axe and poison. Some of these unused weapons and characters appeared later in spin-off versions of the game.[4]

Some gameplay aspects were different as well. Notably, the remaining playing cards were distributed into the rooms to be retrieved, rather than dealt directly to the players. Players also had to land on another player in order to make suggestions about that player's character through the use of special counter-tokens, and once exhausted, a player could no longer make suggestions. There were other minor differences, all of which were later updated by the game's initial release and remain essentially unchanged in the standard Classic Detective Game editions of the game.[1][5][6][7][8]

Gameplay

Equipment

The game consists of a board which shows the rooms, corridors and secret-passages of an English country house called Tudor Mansion (named Tudor Close, Tudor Hall, Boddy Manor or Boddy Mansion in some editions) in Hampshire, England in 1926. The game box also includes several coloured playing pieces to represent characters, miniature murder weapon props, one or two six-sided dice, three sets of cards (describing the aforementioned rooms, characters or weapons), Solution Cards envelope to contain one card from each set of cards, and a Detective's Notes pad on which are printed lists of rooms, weapons and characters, so players can keep detailed notes during the game.

Suspects

The figurines and traditional set of North American & UK suspect tokens

Depending on edition, the playing pieces are typically made of coloured plastic, shaped like chess pawns, or character figurines. Occasionally they are made from wood or pewter. The standard edition of Cluedo comes with six basic tokens representing these original characters:

  • Miss Scarlett (Miss Scarlet in North American versions after 1963) is a red piece.
  • Professor Plum is a purple piece.
  • Mrs. Peacock is a blue piece.
  • Reverend Mr Green (Mr. Green in North American versions and Reverend Green in later UK versions) is a green piece.
  • Colonel Mustard is a yellow piece.
  • Mrs. White is a white piece, which was replaced by Dr. Orchid in 2016 for all current standard editions (Mrs. White still appears in some third party licensed editions).

Weapons

The weapon tokens are typically made out of unfinished pewter, with the exception of the rope, which may be made of plastic, metal, or string depending on edition. Special editions have included gold plated, brass finished and sterling silver versions, which have appeared in a variety of designs.

Rooms

There are nine rooms in the mansion where the murder can take place, laid out in circular fashion on the game board, separated by pathways overlaid by playing spaces. Each of the four corner rooms contains a secret passage that leads to the room on the opposite diagonal corner of the map. The centre room (often referred to as the Cellar, or Stairs) is inaccessible to the players, but contains the solution envelope, and is not otherwise used during game play. Coloured "start" spaces encircle the outer perimeter which correspond to each player's suspect token. Each character starts at the corresponding coloured space.

 †     Ballroom     ‡ 
Kitchen Conservatory
Dining Room Cellar
with
envelope		 Billiard Room
Library
Hall
Lounge Study
 ‡ † 

† ‡ denote secret passages to opposite corner

Rules

At the beginning of play, three cards—one suspect, one room, and one weapon—are chosen at random and put into a special envelope, so that no one can see them. These cards represent the facts of the case. The remainder of the cards are distributed among the players.

Players are instructed to assume the token/suspect nearest them. In older versions, play begins with Miss Scarlett and proceeds clockwise. In modern versions, all players roll the die/dice and the highest total starts the game, with play proceeding clockwise; this is the high roll rule. Players roll the die/dice and move along the board's corridor spaces, or into the rooms accordingly.

The object is to deduce the details of the murder; that is, the cards in the envelope. There are six characters, six murder weapons and nine rooms, leaving the players with 324 possibilities. As soon as a player enters a room, he/she may make a suggestion as to the details, naming a suspect, room, and weapon. For example: "I suggest it was Professor Plum, in the Dining Room, with the candlestick." The player's suggestion must include the room he/she is currently in; suggestions may not be made in the corridors. The tokens for the suggested suspect and weapon are immediately moved into that room, if they are not both already present. A player's suggestion may name him/herself as the murderer and may include cards in his/her own hand.

Once a player makes a suggestion, the others are called upon to disprove it. If the player to his/her left holds any of the three named cards, that player must privately show one (and only one) of them to him/her. If not, the process continues clockwise around the table until either one player disproves the suggestion, or no one can do so. A player's turn normally ends once his/her suggestion is completed.

A player who believes he/she has determined the correct elements may make an accusation on his/her turn. The accusation can include any room, not necessarily the one occupied by the player (if any), and may be made immediately following a suggestion that is not disproved.[10] The accusing player privately checks the three cards in the envelope. If they match the accusation, the player shows them to everyone and wins; if not, he/she returns them to the envelope and may not move or make suggestions/accusations for the remainder of the game, in effect, "losing". However, other players can move his/her token into rooms when making suggestions, and he/she must continue to privately show cards in order to disprove suggestions. A player who makes a false accusation while blocking the door to a room must move into that room afterwards so that others can enter and leave. If all players except for one player have made an incorrect accusation, the remaining player automatically wins.

If a player's suggestion has brought another player's token into a room, the second player may make his/her own suggestion in the room when his/her turn comes up, if desired. If not, he/she may move out of the room, and if able to reach another room, make a suggestion therein, as usual. After a player has made a suggestion in a room, by whatever circumstances he/she came to be in that room, he/she cannot make another suggestion in that room until he/she has spent a turn out of that room. Thus, the player is effectively compelled to leave the room, if only temporarily.

Choice of playing piece

The first opportunity is in choosing the initial playing piece. Mrs. Peacock has an immediate advantage of starting one-space closer to the first room than any of the other players. Professor Plum can move to the study, and then take the secret-passage to the Kitchen, the hardest room to reach.[11] Traditionally, Miss Scarlett had the advantage of moving first. This has been eliminated with the implementation of the high roll rule in modern versions.

The next opportunity is choice of initial rooms to enter. Again Mrs. Peacock has an advantage in that she is closest to the Conservatory, a corner room with a secret-passage, enabling a player on their turn to move immediately to another room and make a suggestion without rolling the dice. Miss Scarlett has a similar advantage with the Lounge. Making as many suggestions as possible gives a player an advantage to gain information. Therefore, moving into a new room as frequently as possible is one way to meet this goal. Players should make good use of the secret-passages. Following the shortest path between rooms then is a good-choice, even if a player already holds the card representing that room in their hand. As mentioned earlier, blocking passage of another player prevents them from attaining rooms from which to make suggestions. Various single space tracks on the board can therefore become traps, which are best avoided by a player when planning a path from room to room.[12]

Making suggestions

Each player begins the game with three to six cards in their hand, depending on the number of players. Keeping track of which cards are shown to each player is important in deducing the solution. Detective Notes are supplied with the game to help make this task easier. The pads can keep not only a history of which cards are in a player's hand, but also which cards have been shown by another player. It can also be useful in deducing which cards the other players have shown one another. A player makes a suggestion to learn which cards may be eliminated from suspicion. However, in some cases it may be advantageous for a player to include one of their own cards in a suggestion. This technique can be used for both forcing a player to reveal a different card as well as misleading other players into believing a specific card is suspect. Therefore, moving into a room already held in the player's hand may work to their advantage. Suggestions may also be used to thwart a player's opponent. Since every suggestion results in a suspect token being re-located to the suggested room, a suggestion may be used to prevent another player from achieving their intended destination, preventing them from suggesting a particular room, especially if that player appears to be getting close to a solution.[11]

Notetaking

One reason the game is enjoyed by many ages and skill levels is that the complexity of note-taking can increase as a player becomes more skillful. Beginners may simply mark off the cards they have been shown; more advanced players will keep track of who has and who does not have a particular card, possibly with the aid of an additional grid. Expert players may keep track of each suggestion made, knowing that the player who answers it must have at least one of the cards named; which one can be deduced by later events. One can also keep track of which cards a given player has seen, in order to minimize information revealed to that player and/or to read into that player's suggestions.

Editions

Parker Brothers and Waddingtons each produced their own unique editions between 1949 and 1992. Hasbro purchased both companies in the early 1990s and continued to produce unique editions for each market until 2002/2003 when the current edition of Clue/Cluedo was first released. At this time, Hasbro produced a unified product across markets. The game was then localized with regional differences in spelling and naming conventions.

During Cluedo's long history, eight unique Clue editions were published in North America (1949, '56/60, '60/63, '72, '86, '92, '96, and 2002), including miniaturized "travel" editions. However, only three distinct editions of Cluedo were released in the UK – the longest of which lasted 47 years from its introduction in 1949 until its first successor in 1996. The eighth North America and fourth UK editions constitute the current shared game design. International versions occasionally developed their own unique designs for specific editions. However, most drew on the designs and art from either the US or UK editions, and in some cases mixing elements from both, while localizing others – specifically suspect portraits.[4][13]

In July 2008, Hasbro released a revamped look for Clue in a Reinvention called Clue: Discover the Secrets. This new version of the game offered major changes to the game play and to the characters and their back stories.

In July 2016 Hasbro replaced Mrs White with a new, one-time character Dr. Orchid in a recent update of the game. Dr. Orchid is represented by an orchid pink piece. In this current standard edition, Mrs. Peacock has a new game opening opportunity as her starting square is one step closer to the billiard room (with 9 steps instead of 10). The squared off door to the Conservatory makes the room harder for Mr Green to reach as an opening move and increases the distance between the Ballroom and the Conservatory (from 4 steps to 5). This edition removes the side door in the Hall possibly for aesthetics, to increase the difficulty for Professor Plum, or removed in error. All these differences in the 2016 edition are favourable to feminine game characters.

While the suspects' appearance and interior design of Dr. Black's/Mr. Boddy's mansion changed with each edition, the weapons underwent relatively minor changes, with the only major redesign occurring in the fourth 1972 US edition, which was adopted by the second 1996 UK edition and remains the standard configuration across all Classic Detective Game versions since. The artwork for the previous US editions tended to reflect the current popular style at the time they were released. The earlier UK editions were more artistically stylized themes. From 1972 on, the US editions presented lush box cover art depicting the six suspects in various candid poses within a room of the mansion. The UK would finally adopt this style only in its third release in 2000, prior to which Cluedo boxes depicted basic representations of the contents. Such lavish box art illustrations have become a hallmark of the game, since copied for the numerous licensed variants which pay homage to Clue.[4][13]

Marketing

Cluedo was originally marketed as "The Great New Detective Game" upon its launch in 1949 in North America, and quickly made a deal to license "The Great New Sherlock Holmes Game" from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle estate. Advertising at the time suggested players would take on the guise of "Sherlock Holmes following the path of the criminal", however no depictions of Holmes appears in the advertising or on the box.[14] By 1950 the game was simply marketed as "The Great Detective Game" until the 1960s, at which time it became: "Parker Brothers Detective Game".

Cluedo 1956 UK Edition depicting a Sherlock Holmes type character.

But the association with Sherlock Holmes was far from over. With the launch of the US 1972 edition, a television commercial showed Holmes and Watson engaged in a particularly competitive game. Adjusting with the times, in 1979 US TV commercials a detective, resembling a bumbling Inspector Clouseau from the popular Pink Panther film franchise, looks for clues.[15] In 1986, the marketing slogan added "Classic Detective Game" which persists through the last 2002/2003 edition.

In the UK, Cluedo did not start using "The Great Detective Game" marketing slogan until the mid-1950s, which it continued using until the 2000 edition when it adopted the "Classic Detective Game" slogan.[4][13] However, in the mid-1950s Waddingtons also adopted a Sherlock Holmes-type detective to adorn their box covers for a brief time, though unlike the US editions, there was no acknowledgement that the character was actually the famous detective. In the 1980s, as in the US, Sherlock Holmes also appeared in TV advertising of the time, along with other classic detectives such as Sam Spade.[16]

Notable editions

  • Cluedo: 50th Anniversary (1999),[17] also released as Clue: 50th Anniversary, this standard edition came in a "deluxe" format with the option to play with an extra murder weapon, a bottle of poison. This edition was also issued in a miniaturised Cluedo European travel version. Drew Struzan provided artwork for the game, which was originally created for the US 1996 edition and additionally used for The Limited Gift Edition and the US Clue Card Game (he did not create the Rev. Green portrait used in the Cluedo editions).[18]
  • Clue "Nostalgia Edition" (2003, 2007)[19] Hasbro began offering a retro Nostalgia edition of the game, essentially a re-issue of the 1963 design in a wooden box. A custom version of the game was also released in the US by Restoration Hardware as Wooden Box Clue with different cover art.[20] In the UK it was released under the Cluedo brand, and was an official re-issue of the original 1949 Waddingtons' design.
  • Clue "Vintage Edition" (2005, 2009),[19] also released as Cluedo "Vintage Edition", Hasbro re-formatted the nostalgia edition into a "vintage" bookshelf collection along with a series of other popular boardgames. In the Cluedo version, they continued to use the 1963 design and adapted it for the UK market for the first time with localised characters and naming conventions.

Franchise

The board game spawned a franchise, which since 1985, has expanded to include a feature film, mini-series, a musical, and numerous books.

Variants

The following games are licensed thematic variations of the game, which follow the basic rules and configuration of the original Classic Detective Game or its spinoffs.

  • Clue The Collector's Edition (1996)[21][22] After the success of the first "collector's tin anniversary edition" of Monopoly (for the 50th anniversary), a "luxury" edition of the game was produced by the Franklin Mint, the first edition to be published outside Parker Brothers.[23] It is a three-dimensional representation of the gameboard encased in glass and wood with 24K gold-plated playing pieces and gameboard accents. Drew Struzan provided Victorian-themed artwork for the game. It was also sold as Cluedo, however it used the North American localizations.[24] Although only sold for a brief time, the edition was re-issued in 2007 by Restoration Hardware as the Premiere edition, however it is a smaller, scaled-down version with gold-coloured plastic pieces and accents which sold for significantly less.[25][26] In 2009, Frontgate issued the "Frontgate-edition" which was identical except with a white playing surface.[27] In 2011 Frontgate re-issued the Restoration Hardware edition in an enhanced cabinet as the "Luxury" edition.[28]
  • Clue: Limited Gift Edition (1997),[29] this edition from Winning Moves, came in a deluxe format with the option to play with an extra murder weapon, a Poison Chalice. It also utilized the 1996 US "Classic Detective Game" edition artwork by Drew Struzan.
  • Alfred Hitchcock Edition Clue[30] (1999) is set on the sound stage where a number of Alfred Hitchcock’s films are being shot. This game is notable as the first to depict the characters portraying someone other than themselves. In this case, they have dressed up as their favorite Hitchcock characters.
  • The Simpsons Clue[31] (2000), also released as The Simpsons Cluedo, has players trying to find out who killed Mr. Burns and where in Springfield it happened. The first edition features Homer as Mr. Green (Reverend Green in the UK), Bart as Prof. Plum, Lisa as Miss Scarlet, Marge as Mrs. Peacock, Krusty as Col. Mustard, and Mr. Smithers as Mrs. White. Early promotional material had Maggie as Mrs. White and Grandpa as Col. Mustard. Later editions were published exclusively by Hasbro. The third edition (2007) has players determine who killed Mr. Burns in the Springfield Museum and reassigns the characters with Homer as Prof. Plum, Bart as Col. Mustard, Fat Tony as Mr. Green (Reverend Green in the UK), Lisa as Mrs. Peacock, Edna Krabappel as Miss Scarlet, and Marge as Mrs. White. This is the first Clue game to depict other characters portraying the game's traditional characters.
  • Clue Dungeons & Dragons[32] (2001) was produced by Hasbro shortly after their purchase of Wizards of the Coast, owners of the Dungeons & Dragons license. The characters are D&D character types (such as Monk, Rogue, Wizard, etc.). The rooms depicted on the board are fantasy-themed (Dungeon, Dragon's Lair, Lost Crypt, etc.), and the weapons also draw inspiration from the popular role-playing game (Mace of Disruption, Flaming Axe, etc.). Game play is identical to standard Clue unless the optional Wandering Monsters deck is used. Using this deck, players must battle monsters when landing on special spaces on the board. The players must battle monsters via dice rolls and are rewarded with magic items that confer special powers.
  • Clue – The Haunted Mansion[33] (2002) This Disney Theme Park Edition is based on the Haunted Mansion at Disney theme parks. One of the six guests in the house (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto) was scared by one of the six ghosts (The Traveller, The Skeleton, The Prisoner, Emily the Bleeding Bride (later known as The Bride), The Opera Singer, and the Mariner) in one of the nine rooms (Foyer, Portrait Gallery, Library, Conservatory, Seance Room, Ballroom, Attic, Graveyard, and Crypt.) The detail on the board draws from the scenes depicted in the Haunted Mansion attraction and contains Hidden Mickeys.
  • Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! Clue[34] (2002) features Fred as Mr. Green, Shaggy as Prof. Plum, Scooby as Col. Mustard, Velma as Mrs. Peacock, Daphne as Miss Scarlet, and Mrs. White as their host. This edition takes place in a run-down version of the mansion with a cemetery.
  • Clue: The Card Game - Mystery Beyond The Mansion[35] (2002) An original card game from Winning Moves, players must deduce who killed Mr. Boddy, which vehicle they used to escape, and which direction they fled.
  • Clue: First Edition 1949 Classic Reproduction.[36] (2003) Winning Moves released a re-issue reproduction of the original 1949 US Clue edition. Accurate in every way, notable features include wooden pawns and the original string rope, as well as a pewter version of the traditional plastic rope.
  • Dunhill Cluedo (2003)[37] Following in the vein of "luxury" editions of family boardgames, Dunhill released a custom edition of Cluedo designed by British game maker Geoffrey Parker. The game consisted of a hand-inlaid leather clad box, with Sterling silver playing pieces. The design won a British Interior Design Association award in 2008.[38][39]
  • Clue – The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror[40] (2007) This Disney Theme Park Edition is based on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. Players try to discover who disappeared, where, and with which prop. The details, of the characters, props, and rooms draw from the scenes depicted in the Tower of Terror attraction. This version also contains Hidden Mickeys much like the Haunted Mansion version.
  • Clue Suspect Card Game (2010) Not to be confused with the solitaire style deduction game Clue Suspects (see next entry) - Players use a hand of cards to determine the suspect, the weapon and the location of the crime. First published by Hasbro in the US and currently being produced by Winning Moves.
  • Clue Suspects (2007) A single-player logic puzzle version of the game developed by Winning Moves. Players are given a set of clues and must deduce the location of the murder and the murderer. This is a unique game concept licensed by Hasbro, first released by Wnning Moves.
  • Clue: Harry Potter Edition[41] (2008), also released as Cluedo: Harry Potter Edition, involves a student disappearing from the school. Players use the characters Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville to find how, when and what spell was used to attack the student. This variant, while loosely based on the reinvention makeover, is a major departure from traditional gameplay and constitutes a spin-off in its own right, as it includes along with the standard complement of equipment, Help cards, Dark cards, Mystery cards, house point tokens (the loss of which can eliminate a player from a game), and a variable configuration game board which changes during the course of play.
  • Clue: The Card Game - Mystery at Sea[42] (2009) A second card game from Winning Moves, this one imagines the suspects on a luxury yacht. Utilizing a small playing board, players use "Action" cards to solve the crime. Notable for not only the setting at sea, but the introduction of Mr. Boddy as a potential suspect. Players actually determine which of the seven characters is to be the victim prior to play.
  • Clue: 24 Edition[43][44] (2009) has players attempt to find out which character is about to launch one of nine attacks (weapons) from within CTU (based on Discover The Secrets rules).
  • Clue: The Office Edition[45] (2009) Players at the Dunder Mifflin office are instructed by their boss Michael Scott to find out who "killed" HR rep Toby Flenderson (based on Discover The Secrets rules).
  • Clue: Seinfeld Collector's Edition[46] (2009) has players attempt to determine who bonked Newman on the head and hid his scandalous tabloid exposing the suspects' secrets (based on Discover The Secrets rules).
  • Clue: Juicy Couture (2009) was produced as part of USAopoly custom corporate games service for US clothing designer Juicy Couture.[47] Players take on the role of one of six characters as they attempt to determine who stole what couture item in the fashion line was stolen, who took it, and where the item is hidden before the fashion show begins the next day (based on Discover The Secrets rules).
  • Clue: The Classic Edition. (2010) Also known as "Clue: Classic". Another standard edition produced by Winning Moves, combines design elements from its Limited Gift Edition and its 1949 re-issue edition, to produce a new traditional edition of the game using the original 6 suspects, weapons and 9 rooms – the first of its kind released since the introduction of the Discover The Secrets spin-off game in 2008.
  • Clue: Family Guy Collector's Edition[48] (2010) has players attempt to determine who killed the Giant Chicken (based on Discover The Secrets rules).
  • Clue Bookshelf Board Game[49] (2010) A faux leather-bound bookshelf edition based on the traditional game format. Released by Frontgate in a limited and numbered distribution, this edition is notable as the first re-release of an enhanced 1986 Parker Brothers edition, and the first re-issue that was not based on either the 1949 or 1963 editions.
  • Clue Library Classic Book[50] (2011) yet another faux leather bookshelf edition, as part of a classic games collection by Winning Solutions, this edition marks a re-issue of the traditional 1949 design.
  • Giant Clue Deluxe Wood Edition[51] (2011) released as part of Winning Solutions "Giant" game series, this game is notable as the largest traditional Clue edition, measuring 24" square. Based on the Franklin Mint artwork, this re-issue flattens the board to a typical 2D presentation, but offers moveable gold-tone centerpiece sculptures for each room., as well as deluxe gold-tone playing tokens. This same year they also re-issued the smaller traditional 3D version first sold by Restoration Hardware.[52]
  • Clue Jr SpongeBob SquarePants Edition[53] (2011): A tie-in with the Nickelodeon show, SpongeBob SquarePants and loosely based on the Season 4 episode "Krusty Towers," this version is based on Cluedo Junior: The Case of The Missing chocolate Cake rules. In this version of the game, the players help discover who stole SpongeBob's jellyfish net.
  • Cluedo: Sherlock Edition[54] (2012) instructs players to find out who killed Moriarty.
  • Cluedo: London Edition[55] (2012) The first of several regionalized editions planned by Winning Moves. Using locations around London, players must determine which prominent citizens (such as the Mayor and a Therapist), committed murder.
  • Cluedo: Edinburgh Edition (2013) In a public vote Edinburgh beat out Dublin, Glasgow and Manchester to become the next regional Cluedo game.[56] Apart from featuring Edinburgh locations it also includes new Edinburgh themed suspects such as Alec Mustard, Mrs Morningside-Peacock, Kathleen White, Professor Emmett Plum, Gillespie Green and Poppy Scarlett. The first character Alec Mustard (who in marketing was described as a corrupt politician) was remarked to be similar to First Minister at the games release Alex Salmond.[57]
  • Clue: Big Bang Theory Edition: A tie-in with the CBS show, The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper must solve which of his friends betrayed him, where they did it and how.
  • Clue: Supernatural Edition: From the TV show, Supernatural, including Supernatural characters, weapons, and places.
  • Clue: Doctor Who Edition: (2015) From the British TV show, Doctor Who. Places your favorite characters on a search through the Universe to rescue The Doctor. Playing as his closest friends and allies, players must reveal who amongst them the Daleks conditioned and mind-controlled to mislead the Doctor, what powerful weapon was used in the crime, and where The Doctor has been taken in the kidnapping, thereby saving him from the Daleks!
  • Clue: Star Wars Edition (2016) takes place aboard the Death Star during the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Each player chooses one of the Rebel characters (Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, or R2-D2) and must deduce which planet the Death Star will destroy next, which room holds the Death Star plans, and which vehicle will allow them to escape. The game is played on a 3D cardboard map that represents the interior of the Death Star.[58]
  • Clue: The Golden Girls (2017). The game centers around who ate the cheesecake (Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, Sophia, Stan, or Miles), what clue did they leave (includes items such as Sophia's purse), and which room in the house did they do it in.[59]
  • Clue: The Legend of Zelda: Based on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game series, and it is less of a whodunit and more of a "who will do it". Each player must fulfill an ancient prophecy and discover which of the six heroes (Link, Impa, Nabooru, Zelda, Rauru, and Darunia) has the power to defeat Ganondorf, with what weapon (Master Sword, Fairy Bow, Megaton Hammer, Boomerang, Hookshot, and Bombchu) they will need to do it, and where (Lost Woods, Sacred Forest Meadow, Lake Hylia, Kokiri Forest, Kakariko Village, Death Mountain, Gerudo Fortress, Gerudo Valley, and Zelda's Domain) the final battle will take place.

Cluedo: Discover the Secrets

On August 8, 2008, Hasbro redesigned and updated the board, characters, weapons, and rooms. Changes to the rules of game play were made, some to accommodate the new features.

The suspects have new given names and backgrounds, as well as differing abilities that may be used during the game. The revolver is now a pistol, the lead pipe and spanner/wrench have been removed, and a baseball bat, axe, dumbbell, trophy, and poison have been added. The nine rooms have changed to (in clockwise order): Hall, Guest House, Dining Room, Kitchen, Patio, Spa, Theatre, Living Room, and Observatory.[60]

There is also a second deck of cards—the Intrigue cards. In this deck, there are two types of cards, Keepers and Clocks. Keepers are special abilities; for example, "You can see the card". There are eight clocks—the first seven drawn do nothing—whoever draws the eighth is killed by the murderer and out of the game.[61]

The player must move to the indoor swimming pool in the centre of the board to make an accusation. This adds some challenge versus the ability to make accusations from anywhere in the original game.

The most significant change to game play is that once the suspect cards have been taken, the remaining cards are dealt so that all players have an even number of cards (rather than dealt out so that "one player may have a slight advantage"). This means that depending on the number of players a number of cards are left over. These cards are placed face down in the middle and are not seen unless a player takes a turn in the pool room to look at them.

The changes to the game have been criticized in the media for unnecessarily altering classic cultural icons. The game has also been criticized by lovers of the original game.[8][62][63]

As of 2017, Hasbro no longer sells the game via its website. However, they do continue to sell a version of it as part of their Grab & Go travel series. Notably, it plays identically to standard classic rules, but visually continues to use the new Discover the Secrets room layout, and 2 of the new weapons, as well as other design artwork. However, the Intrigue cards are no longer a part of the game.[64]

Worldwide differences

Besides some rule differences listed above, some versions label differently the names of characters, weapons, rooms and in some instances the actual game itself.

In Canada and the U.S., the game is known as Clue. It was retitled because the traditional British board game Ludo, on which the name is based, was less well known there than its American variant Parcheesi.[65]

The North American versions of Clue also replace the character "Reverend Green" from the original Cluedo with "Mr. Green." This is the only region to continue to make such a change. Minor changes include "Miss Scarlett" with her name being spelt with one 't', the spanner being called a wrench, and the dagger renamed a knife. In the 2016 U.S. edition, the knife was changed to a dagger. And until 2003, the lead piping was known as the lead pipe only in the North American edition.

In some international versions of the game (mostly the Spanish-language ones) the colours of some pieces are different, so as to correspond with the changes to each suspect's unique foreign name variations. In some cases, rooms and weapons are changed in addition to other regional variances.[66]

In South America it is licensed and sold under several different names. In particular, it is notably marketed as Detective in Brazil.

In Norway it was first released as Scotland Yard by Damm. It was later re-released as Cluedo, but the rules are the same.

Merchandising

The Clue and Cluedo brands are well-merchandised through umbrellas, books, toys, clothing and other miscellaneous items.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Treneman, Ann (12 November 1998). "Mr Pratt, in the old people's home, with an empty pocket". The Independent. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  2. 1 2 L. A. Petrosjan, V. V. Mazalov (2002). "Game Theory and Applications, Volume 8". p. 26. Nova Publishers
  3. ↑ Watson, Victor (2008). The Waddingtons Story: From the early days to Monopoly, the Maxwell bids and into the next Millennium. Huddersfield: Jeremy Mills Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-906600-36-5. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Tim, Walsh (2005). Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them. Kansas City MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing. pp. 84–87.
  5. ↑ Ament, Phil (November 13, 2006). "Fascinating facts about the invention of Clue Board Game by Anthony E. Pratt in 1944". The Great Idea Finder.
  6. ↑ {{cite web |url=http://www.hasbro.com/clue/default.cfm?page=History&src=endeca |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-10-10 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929021146/http://www.hasbro.com/clue/default.cfm?page=History&src=endeca |archivedate=September 29, 2009 |df= }} Hasbro, THE HISTORY OF CLUE
  7. ↑ GB patent 586817, Pratt, Anthony Ernest, "Improvements in board games", issued April 1, 1947
  8. 1 2 "Jack Mustard, in the spa, with a baseball bat". The Guardian. 20 December 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  9. ↑ Dreyse M1907 WORLD WAR II
  10. ↑ ''Cluedo/Clue'' rules. (PDF) . Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  11. 1 2 Orbanes, Phil (1997). Limited Gift Edition Clue: The Story of Clue, Secrets of Great Clue Detectives. Hathorne, MA: Winning Moves. pp. 3–4.
  12. ↑ "Cluedo - the Game". h2g2. October 30, 2002. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  13. 1 2 3 Orbanes, Phil (2003). Clue: The Great Detective Game – Memories: The Game Through The Years. Danvers, MA: Winning Moves, Inc. pp. 2, 5–6.
  14. ↑ Mozart, Mike (2010-01-26). "Classic Toy Museum". Classictoymuseum.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  15. ↑ Parker Brothers - Clue (Commercial, 1979). Youtube. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  16. ↑ Waddington's Cluedo. Youtube. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  17. ↑ Cluedo: 50th Anniversary at BoardGameGeek
  18. ↑ Portfolio Products Clue/Parker Brothers Drew Struzan Illustrated Works
  19. 1 2 Nostalgia Wooden Box Edition at BoardGameGeek
  20. ↑ Wooden Box Clue® - No Longer Available (2014-03-27). "Restoration Hardware Wood Box Clue". Restorationhardware.com. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  21. ↑ Clue at BoardGameGeek
  22. ↑ Portfolio Products Clue/The Franklin Mint Drew Struzan Illustrated Works
  23. ↑ Orbanes, Monopoly: The World's Most Famous Game, pages 135–136.
  24. ↑ Franklin Mint French Brochure Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.. None. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  25. ↑ eBay Guides Franklin Mint Clue. Reviews.ebay.com (2011-06-07). Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  26. ↑ Restoration Hardware Clue Premiere Edition Archived 2010-06-22 at the Wayback Machine.. Restorationhardware.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  27. ↑ Frontgate-edition Clue Board Game Archived 2014-04-26 at the Wayback Machine.. Reviews.Frontgate.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-26.
  28. ↑ Clue Frontgate Luxury Edition Board Game Archived 2014-04-26 at the Wayback Machine.. Reviews.Frontgate.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-26.
  29. ↑ Clue: Limited Gift Edition at BoardGameGeek
  30. ↑ Alfred Hitchcock Edition Clue at BoardGameGeek
  31. ↑ The Simpsons Clue at BoardGameGeek
  32. ↑ Clue Dungeons & Dragons at BoardGameGeek
  33. ↑ Clue – The Haunted Mansion at BoardGameGeek
  34. ↑ Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! at BoardGameGeek
  35. ↑ Mystery Beyond The Mansion at BoardGameGeek
  36. ↑ Clue: First Edition 1949 Classic Reproduction at BoardGameGeek
  37. ↑ Dunhill Cluedo. Rm7guy.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  38. ↑ Cluedo retrieved 12/20/2009 at Geoffrey Parker Games
  39. ↑ BIDA Awards at Decorex International 2008 Published on:29/09/2008 (retrieved 12/19/2009)
  40. ↑ Clue – The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror at BoardGameGeek
  41. ↑ Clue/Cluedo: Harry Potter Edition at BoardGameGeek
  42. ↑ Mystery at Sea at BoardGameGeek
  43. ↑ "CLUE: 24 Edition". February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  44. ↑ "Investigate 24 Clue". 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  45. ↑ About Clue the Office Collector's Edition Board Game Archived January 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. at USAopoly
  46. ↑ Clue: Seinfeld Collectors Edition at BoardGameGeek
  47. ↑ Usaopoly, Inc. – Custom Monopoly Games & Custom Board Games& Custom Board Games. Usaopoly.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  48. ↑ Clue: Family Guy Collector's Edition Archived June 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.. Usaopoly.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  49. ↑ "Frontgate Bookshelf Edition". Reviews.frontgate.com. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  50. ↑ "Winning Solutions Book". Timetoplaymag.com. 1971-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  51. ↑ Winning Solutions Giant Cue
  52. ↑ "Winning Solutions Luxury".
  53. ↑ Evolving Stacey (2012-12-01). "Clue Jr SpongeBob SquarePants". Evolvingstacey.com. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  54. ↑ "Media Centre - Sherlock fans can play detective with new Sherlock Cluedo". BBC. 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  55. ↑ "'Boris Johnson' launches Cluedo London". Toy News Online. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  56. ↑ "Cluedo Edinburgh launches today". Toy News Online. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  57. ↑ "Edinburgh becomes first Scots city to feature in new version of murder mystery game Cluedo". Daily Record. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  58. ↑ "Clue Game: Star Wars Edition". Hasbro.com.
  59. ↑
  60. ↑ Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Cluedo The Times, 10/15/2009, by Damian Whitworth (retrieved 11/26/2009)
  61. ↑ National Public Radio (2008-08-08). "Hasbro Gives Clue Board Game A Makeover". Retrieved 2008-08-16.
  62. ↑ Who killed Cluedo's Col Mustard? by Cole Moreton, The Independent, Sunday, 17 August 2008, retrieved 10/20/09
  63. ↑ The makers of Cluedo have gone and killed Professor Plum Telegraph.co.uk By Robert Colvile Published: 12:01AM BST 15 Aug 2008 (retrieved 11/1/09)
  64. ↑ "Hasbro Toy Shop". Hasbrotoyshop.com. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  65. ↑ "Master detective. Modus operandi" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  66. ↑ Clue at BoardGameGeek
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