Crime Scene Bayreuth

Markus Ruff, Fabio Kormann, Jannik Schillinger, and Bastian Guhl are students at the University of Bayreuth and have developed and produced the crime game Bayreuth Crime. What unites the team is their strong connection to the city. Bastian, a sports economics student, and Fabio, a business administration student, have been playing football in Bayreuth since childhood and completed their A-levels at the local economics-focused grammar school. Jannik (sports economics) and Markus (scientific computing) have also been rooted in the region for many years. This shared connection inspired them to create a board game centred around Bayreuth.

In Bayreuth Crime, players take on the roles of six Bayreuth students from different academic disciplines. “We deliberately played with stereotypes and clichés to enhance the fun and create an authentic gaming experience,” says Fabio Kormann. The goal is to solve a murder case together—one of the players has committed the fictional crime. The game features real Bayreuth locations, such as the Festspielhaus, the Hofgarten, and the university. Regional quirks and historical references are also woven into the stories and characters, ensuring a local flavour. Designed to last around two hours, the game provides each player with a personal character booklet detailing their role. A storybook guides them through the game, which unfolds in rounds, with new information and plot twists driving the narrative forward.

In the development team, Markus Ruff is the creative mastermind, primarily responsible for crafting the storyline. Thanks to his strong ties to the gaming community, the team received support from professional game developers who playtested Bayreuth Crime before its release. Fabio Kormann designed the packaging and player booklets. As a true Bayreuth local, he knows every corner of the city. Jannik Schillinger acts as the team coordinator, handling social media, sales, finances, and partnerships. Bastian Guhl is mainly responsible for sales but also works in social media and customer communications.