Guide · Games

Hosting a conversation game: Secret City and Secret Word

Conversation games turn a room of friends into detectives. A good host makes all the difference.

Sep 25, 2026ZIBADISPLAY2 min read
Light painting in a dark room

Secret City

  1. Pick a narrator

    Someone who enjoys reading aloud; they hold the device and don't play.

  2. Deal privately

    Each player sees their role alone, then passes the device on.

  3. Read the script

    The narrator follows the night and day steps on screen, calmly and at a steady pace.

  4. Time the talking

    The day timer keeps discussions lively and fair.

Secret Word

No narrator is needed: everyone sees the word except the outsider. The art is to describe the word just enough to prove you know it — without handing it to the outsider.

Keep it kind

  • Suspect reasons, not people: “that answer was vague” rather than personal remarks.
  • Give quieter players a turn to speak.
  • Laugh together at the reveal — it's only a game.

Play Secret City or Secret Word.

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