BEFORE YOU
START THE CASE.
Everything your crew needs to know before entering the Lobby.
What is CLUESHIFT?+
CLUESHIFT is a multiplayer interactive mystery played with one shared Main Screen and one phone for each investigator. The group watches shared evidence, receives different private Qlues and combines the information to solve each Chapter.
How many people can play?+
Case 01 supports 2 to 5 human investigators. The Host counts as one investigator. The Main Screen does not count as another player.
Does every player need an account?+
No. Only the Host needs the account that owns the Case. Guests scan the room QR code, choose a nickname and join anonymously without registration.
What devices do we need?+
You need one TV, PC or laptop as the Main Screen, one phone for each human investigator and an internet connection. The Main Screen shows shared video and session states. Each phone receives that investigator's private Qlues.
Do we need to install an app?+
No. CLUESHIFT runs in a supported browser on the Main Screen and investigator phones.
How do we start a game?+
The Host opens the Case on the Main Screen and selects the total number of investigators. The Main Screen displays the room QR code. The Host connects the Host Phone, Guests scan the QR code and choose nicknames, then every investigator presses READY on their phone. START CASE becomes available only when the exact selected team is connected and Ready. The Host starts the Case and every device receives the same five second countdown.
Does the Host count as a player?+
Yes. The Host is one of the human investigators. The Main Screen is separate and does not use another player slot. The Host Phone receives private Qlues and also carries the shared playback controls.
What does the Main Screen do?+
The Main Screen displays the Lobby, QR code, room code, synchronized countdown, shared Chapter video, cinematic transitions and the common investigation state. It is the screen everyone watches together.
What happens on our phones?+
Each phone shows the investigator identity, connected team, current Chapter, shared timer, private Qlues, answer entry, available hints and reconnect state.
Do all players see the same Qlues?+
No. Private Qlues are distributed between the connected investigators. The Host does not automatically see another player's private evidence. The team must talk and compare what each person received.
Who can submit an answer?+
Any connected investigator may submit the crew answer. QlueShift validates it against the active Chapter on the server.
What happens if we enter a wrong answer?+
A wrong answer uses 10 points. The Chapter stays active, the shared video keeps looping and the timer continues. No new Chapter or Qlue is unlocked.
What happens when the answer is correct?+
The Chapter is marked solved and every connected device receives the same solved transition. The session advances together, then a synchronized five second countdown begins. The next Chapter starts and new private Qlues arrive on the assigned phones.
Does the video stop when it finishes?+
No. The Chapter video loops while the crew investigates. Reaching the end of the video does not solve the Chapter. Only the correct puzzle answer advances the session.
Can we pause?+
Yes. Only the canonical Host Phone can pause and resume the shared session. The Main Screen video and shared timer pause together. Changing browser tabs does not pause the game.
Can the Host rewind the video?+
Yes. The Host can rewind the shared video by ten seconds or restart it. Rewinding does not reset the Chapter, Qlues, answer attempts or shared timer.
What are Hints?+
Hints provide extra guidance when the team is stuck. Any connected investigator may request an available Hint. Each Hint uses 5 points and appears directly in the investigation flow.
Can we reveal the solution?+
Reveal Solution is available only to the Host and requires two deliberate taps. It uses 50 points and is intended as a last resort. If a Chapter has no canonical solution configured, the option remains locked and no penalty is applied.
What happens if someone refreshes or loses connection?+
QlueShift restores the same investigator identity and current session state when valid reconnect information is still available on that device. Refreshing does not create another player or restart the Chapter timer.
Can more people join than the Host selected?+
No. Room capacity is enforced by QlueShift. Once every selected investigator slot is occupied, additional Guests receive a Room Full message.
Can the Host change the number of players?+
Yes, while the session is still in the Lobby. Increasing the number opens another slot. To reduce the number below the current roster, the Host must first remove the intended Guest.
Can someone join after the game starts?+
A new investigator cannot join after START CASE. A phone that already belongs to the session may reconnect to its existing investigator identity.
Can we play on one phone?+
The commercial experience is designed for one phone per human investigator plus one shared Main Screen. A single phone cannot provide the intended private evidence and group discussion experience.
How long does a Case take?+
Case 01 has no fixed completion time in the current configuration. Play time depends on how quickly the group compares evidence, requests Hints and solves each Chapter.
Is our progress saved?+
The active multiplayer session, Chapter state, Qlues, timer and investigator identities are stored by QlueShift. A valid reconnect restores the current session. Completed account results are also recorded for the Host where supported.