We’ve been fascinated by games for centuries. Board games, quizzes, murder mysteries—there’s something about games that keeps us engaged. But what if games weren’t just for entertainment? What if they could transform how teams work together?
That’s exactly what Imtiaz and Lewis set out to explore with their Murder Mystery Experience—a fully immersive, gamified workshop designed to build team dynamics through storytelling and strategic play.
In this episode we delve into how they took a simple idea—solving a fictional crime—and turned it into a commercial success. We cover the following key topics:
Why murder mysteries captivate us (and how they improve teamwork)
The psychology behind gamification and why it works in business
How storytelling makes learning stick
The biggest challenges of hybrid work and how immersive experiences can help
How The Murder Mystery Experience is reshaping corporate training
You will find this episode useful if you are:
A facilitator who is looking for fresh ways to engage teams
A team leader aiming to build trust and cohesion in teams
A learning and development professional looking for engaging corporate training ideas
What is the Secret to a Good Game?
Great games work because they reflect real life.
Lewis and Imtiaz realised early on that for their workshops to truly engage people, the storylines had to mirror real-world challenges. That meant designing scenarios that weren’t just fun, but also deeply relevant to the workplace.
Think about it: Why do people love murder mysteries?
Whether it’s a classic Agatha Christie novel, an escape room challenge, or a true crime documentary, we’re naturally drawn to solving puzzles. Our brains thrive on critical thinking, problem-solving and intrigue—the very same skills that make us successful at work.
So, they asked themselves a game-changing question:
👉 What if solving a mystery could actually help people do their jobs better?
And that’s exactly what they built.
What is the Murder Mystery Experience?
When you hear "Murder Mystery," you might picture a dinner party with fake moustaches and exaggerated accents. But this is something entirely different.
The Murder Mystery Experience is a hands-on learning game where teams work together to solve a fictional crime. They interrogate suspects, analyse evidence and piece together clues. But there’s a twist—some people are lying, alliances are forming, and just when you think you’ve cracked the case, you might be presented with a curveball or two.
And that’s precisely the point.
At work, nothing ever goes exactly to plan. Priorities shift. People have hidden agendas. Decisions are made with imperfect information.
The game isn’t just about “who did it”—it’s about learning how to navigate uncertainty, communication breakdowns and team dynamics.
And here’s the best part:
🎭 People don’t even realise they’re learning.
They’re too busy debating alibis, forming alliances and persuading each other to notice that they’re sharpening their negotiation skills, improving collaboration and boosting their confidence.
Why Gamification Works (Backed by Science)
Gamification in workshops can be seen as a gimmick. But if done right, it hacks our brains in a way that makes learning stick.
🧠 Studies show that learning through game-based experiences boosts engagement by 48% and improves knowledge retention by 30%.
Why?
Because our brains are wired to respond to:
✅ Competition (Can I solve the mystery before my colleagues?)
✅ Achievement (I cracked the case!)
✅ Collaboration (We worked together and figured it out!)
✅ Fun (Wait, was this actually training?!)
But let’s be honest—not all gamification works. If it feels like a forced gimmick, people switch off.
Lewis and Imtiaz discovered that the key to making gamification effective is designing challenges that reflect real workplace problems—so that the skills people develop in the game translate seamlessly into their actual jobs.
How Hybrid Working is Breaking Teams (and How to Fix It)
There’s a serious side to all of this too.
Since COVID, the shift to hybrid working has made collaboration harder than ever.
👥 People feel disconnected.
🗂️ Information is getting siloed.
💬 Spontaneous conversations (coffee chats, brainstorming sessions) are disappearing.
😨 Some professionals have never worked in an office before—and they’re struggling with communication and team dynamics.
The Murder Mystery Experience acts like a reset button.
Instead of forcing people into awkward team-building activities (looking at you, trust falls), it creates a natural space for connection.
People debate, strategise and solve problems together—exactly like they would in a real project. And when teams reconnect through play, those bonds carry over into the workplace.
So, what’s next?
Lewis and Imtiaz aren’t stopping here.
They’re now exploring virtual and hybrid versions of their experience—bringing the same level of immersion to remote teams. With new technology and dynamic storytelling, they’re designing game-based learning experiences where no two sessions are the same.
But the core idea remains unchanged:
🔎 Make learning fun. Make it immersive. Make it real.
Because when people forget they’re learning, that’s when the real transformation happens.
Want to Bring the Experience to Your Team?
If you’re intrigued by what you’ve heard in this episode, looking to break down team silos, reconnect or re-energise your team, or just have a damn good time. visit the Kilts and Kente website and complete the contact form, or reach out directly to Lewis and Imtiaz on LinkedIn.
As a special bonus, use the discount code Anna Litics when booking to unlock an exclusive offer!
https://www.kiltsandkente.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-james-carroll/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/imtiazkaderbhoy2/
Guests: Lewis Carroll & Imtiaz Kaderbhoy
With a shared passion for gamification and team building, Imtiaz and Lewis created the Murder Mystery Experience, an immersive workshop that strengthens team dynamics through storytelling and strategic gameplay.
Combining decades of experience delivering value to clients, they specialise in transforming teamwork challenges into opportunities for teams to reconnect, revitalise, and succeed in dynamic work environments.
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