The Game

Murder Bury Win: The Game is an actual functional
board game

Murder Bury Win's game design by Michael Lovan, art by Amy Everson

For Murder Bury Win to work as a film, the titular board game on which the film is based had to be created from the ground up.

The objective of the game? Murder someone. Then get rid of the body.

Unlike traditional board gaming design, this game was built around the beats of the film. As the screenplay became deeper with each rewrite, the rule set of the game evolved to accommodate the needs of the film. Eventually I wound up with a list of 60 gameplay cards that needed creating, as well as a generic drawing of the game board. But we still needed to create the art itself.

Enter Amy Everson, whose art and performance were the basis of the 2015 indie hit film, FELT. Amy is known for her wicked sense of humor and attention to detail. Together, we went back-and-forth on the original ideas I had, which ultimately shaped the gameplay even further. Amy worked hard to bring the look of the game board to life, as well as develop a beautiful and clean style for the card backings.

Once the game was printed, I held a play test with the performers from the film. In the interest of watching them work together, I encouraged them to criticize and otherwise re-write the rules as they went along.

They took to their newly-appointed roles quickly. Within minutes, they began negotiating the pace, the mechanics, and laid out a series of critiques - many of which I wove into the screenplay, as well as the rules sheet as seen in the film. Life imitating art imitating life.

As with the film, Murder Bury Win: The Game is currently seeking distribution (and maybe a play test or two).

Chris (Mikelen Walker), Barrett (Henry Alexander Kelly), and Adam (Erich Lane) playing the game in the film.

Murder Bury Win: The Game is an actual functional​board game

Crude hand drawings by Michael Lovan. Clean graphic design by Amy Everson.

Murder Bury Win: The Game is an actual functional
board game