Hunt A Killer
Hunt A Killer, founded in 2016, creates immersive murder mystery games combining physical evidence and digital hints for true crime enthusiasts, social gamers, and gift buyers. The company distributes 51+ SKUs via direct e-commerce, Walmart, Target, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and licensed IP collaborations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hunt A Killer does
Hunt A Killer is an entertainment company founded in 2016 in Baltimore that designs and distributes immersive murder mystery game experiences. Its core product format combines physical evidence (crime scene photos, autopsy reports, witness statements, coded messages, locked boxes, and thematic props) with digital components delivered through a members-only website offering hints, recaps, and reveals, plus companion websites for certain games. The company serves true crime and mystery enthusiasts, social gamers (couples, families, friend groups), gift buyers, and hobbyist collectors seeking at-home detective experiences as an alternative to escape rooms.
The product portfolio spans over 51 SKUs, including narrative cases priced at $29.99, premium collectible cases ($49.99-$149.99), licensed IP collaborations (Blair Witch Seasons 1 and 2, Agatha Christie's The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge), creator collaborations (The Salem Slicer with the Morbid podcast, The Haunting At Wicker Ridge with YouTubers Sam & Colby), card games, books, and merchandise. Games are rated on a 1-5 diamond difficulty scale, with play durations ranging from 45-90 minutes for quick cases to 2+ hours for premium experiences. Pricing is anchored on one-time purchases with no subscription required for standalone games, supplemented by the Evidence Locker annual membership at $50/year (offering early access, free shipping, 1.5x loyalty points, and surprise items) and the Killer Rewards loyalty program (5 points per $1 spent, redeemable for discounts or free games).
Hunt A Killer employs a product-led growth go-to-market with self-serve e-commerce via huntakiller.com, supplemented by retail distribution at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble, plus a wholesale channel via Faire.com. Community-driven growth is supported through Discord, social platforms, influencer partnerships, and earned media coverage. In February 2024, Hunt A Killer was acquired by Relatable (What Do You Meme LLC), described as the third largest games manufacturer with a portfolio generating over $100 million in annual revenue. The combined entity now ships to 20+ countries and has been recognized by Fast Company (World's Most Innovative Companies, 2019), INC 5000 (6th fastest growing private company, 2020), and the Toy Association (TOTY Game of the Year nomination). The company is led by co-founder and CEO Ryan Hogan alongside co-founder and VP of Development Derrick Smith.
Hunt A Killer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hunt A Killer
- Legal name
- What Do You Meme LLC
- Website
- https://huntakiller.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hunt A Killer, founded in 2016, creates immersive murder mystery games combining physical evidence and digital hints for true crime enthusiasts, social gamers, and gift buyers. The company distributes 51+ SKUs via direct e-commerce, Walmart, Target, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and licensed IP collaborations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hunt A Killer industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Escape Room Games & Mystery Puzzle Boxes Retail (CRALALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Collectibles, Trading Cards & Blind Box Toys Retail (CRALAFAI)
Keywords
Where Hunt A Killer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hunt A Killer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Physical Game Sales: One-time purchase model for standalone murder mystery game boxes sold directly through e-commerce and retail channels. Individual cases priced from $9.99 (card games) to $149.99 (premium box sets).
- Evidence Locker Membership: Annual subscription at $50/year providing early access privileges, free shipping benefits, enhanced loyalty point earning (1.5x multiplier), and bonus items with each new case purchase.
- Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts featuring game artwork and collaborations) sold alongside core game products.
- Killer Rewards Redemption: Loyalty points earned on purchases can be redeemed for discounts ($5 off at 300 points, $10 off at 575 points) or free narrative games (1,650 points), driving repeat purchases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Narrative Cases - $29.99 each |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Cases - $49.99 to $109.00 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cold Case Games - $19.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Card Games - $9.99 |
| Subscription | Annual | Evidence Locker Membership - $50/year |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Killer Rewards Points System |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hunt A Killer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hunt A Killer designs, manufactures, and sells immersive murder mystery game boxes that combine physical evidence (cards, documents, photos, props, locked boxes) with digital companion website hints and recaps. The catalog includes standalone narrative cases ($29.99), premium collectible cases ($49.99–$149.99), and short card games ($9.99), sold directly to consumers through e-commerce, major U.S. retailers, and international shipping. An annual Evidence Locker membership ($50/year) provides early access and bonus rewards.
Product overview
Hunt A Killer is an immersive murder mystery game company offering physical and digital investigation experiences. The product portfolio includes core murder mystery games (such as Blood & Ink, Rideshare Homicide, and Cold Case: The Girl in the Well), premium collectible cases (Dead on the Vine, Supernova, 1973 Remastered), licensed properties (Blair Witch Seasons 1 and 2, Agatha Christie's The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge), and collaborations (The Salem Slicer with Morbid podcast, The Haunting At Wicker Ridge with Sam & Colby). The company also offers a Killer Rewards loyalty program and an Evidence Locker annual membership subscription for $50/year. Products range from $9.99 card games to $129.99 premium box sets, with some games incorporating digital evidence components requiring internet access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Evidence Locker: Annual membership program offering early game access, free shipping, 1.5x rewards points, and bonus surprises for $50/year.
- Killer Rewards
Products and services
- Blood & Ink Standard narrative murder mystery case where players analyze physical and digital evidence to solve a tattoo-parlor homicide; priced at $29.99.
- The Salem Slicer Narrative murder mystery case co-developed with the Morbid true crime podcast, based on a 1985 cold case; integrates physical evidence with podcast audio content. Priced at $29.99.
- Rideshare Homicide Standard narrative murder mystery case involving a crime tied to rideshare services; priced at $29.99.
- The Haunting At Wicker Ridge Paranormal mystery case co-created with YouTube duo Sam & Colby featuring video content integration and a demon-banishing narrative; priced at $29.99.
- Game Night Gone Wrong Standard narrative murder mystery case in which a social game night becomes a homicide investigation; priced at $29.99.
- Lakeside Slaughter: The Last Vacation Standard narrative murder mystery case set at a lakeside vacation resort; priced at $29.99.
- A Wealth of Murder Standard narrative murder mystery case involving financial motives and wealthy suspects; priced at $29.99.
- The Final Act: Murder at the Talent Show Standard narrative murder mystery case set at a talent show venue; priced at $29.99.
- Hunt A Killer: Cold Case - The Girl in the Well Shorter-format cold case murder mystery where players work to solve an unsolved case; priced at $19.99.
- Homicide at the Heist Standard narrative murder mystery combining heist and homicide investigation elements; priced at $29.99.
- Murder At The Motel Standard narrative murder mystery case set at a motel; priced at $29.99.
- Death at the Dive Bar Standard narrative murder mystery case set in a dive bar environment; priced at $29.99.
- R.I.P. at the Rodeo Standard narrative murder mystery case set at a rodeo event; priced at $29.99.
- Dead Below Deck Standard narrative murder mystery case requiring both physical evidence and digital evidence (including access to the victim's online drive) to solve; priced at $29.99.
- Body On The Boardwalk Standard narrative murder mystery case set on a boardwalk location; priced at $29.99.
- Killer Next Door Compact card-based murder mystery game; priced at $9.99.
- Dead on the Vine (Premium Case) Premium murder mystery case with enhanced collectible elements; priced at $49.99.
- Camp Calamity (Premium Game) Premium murder mystery case set at a summer camp; priced at $49.99.
- Supernova (Premium Game) Premium murder mystery case with high-value collectible elements; priced at $99.99.
- 1973 Remastered (Premium Game) Remastered premium version of the classic 1973 murder mystery game with enhanced collectible components; priced at $109.00 (was $129.00).
- Agatha Christie's The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge Licensed murder mystery game based on an Agatha Christie detective novel; priced from $89.99.
- Baker's Dozen (Premium Game) Premium murder mystery case featuring thirteen suspects; priced in the premium case range.
- Blair Witch Season 1 Box Set Immersive horror-themed murder mystery box set based on the Blair Witch franchise, Season 1.
- Blair Witch Season 2 Box Set Immersive horror-themed murder mystery box set based on the Blair Witch franchise, Season 2.
- Class of '98: Mystery Killer Box Set Premium box set murder mystery case set in 1998; priced at $129.99.
- Curtain Call Box Set Premium box set collection of curtain call murder mystery cases.
- Homicide at the Heist (Special Edition) Special edition of Homicide at the Heist including a collectible money clip as premium merchandise.
- Blood In The Water Murder mystery game in the catalog; priced at $11.99.
- Evidence Locker Membership Annual subscription membership at $50/year offering 2-week early access to new cases before public release, free shipping on new games, 1.5x Killer Rewards points multiplier, and bonus surprise items with each new case purchase.
Quantifiable outcome
- No quantifiable outcomes available in source data
Companies that use Hunt A Killer
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hunt A Killer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Hunt A Killer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- Morbid PodcastcoreCollaborative partnership with Morbid true crime podcast to create 'The Salem Slicer' murder mystery game based on a 1985 cold case. The product integrates physical evidence, audio content from podcast hosts Ash and Alaina, and narrative storytelling. Game available for preorder at Walmart with broader retail launch at Target, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Hunt A Killer website.
- Sam & ColbycoreYouTube duo Sam & Coly collaborated with Hunt A Killer on 'The Haunting At Wicker Ridge' paranormal mystery game. The YouTubers work with the fictional Scientific Organization for Unexplained Phenomena (SOUP) to investigate a demon haunting, with players recruited to help banish the entity. Features video content integration from the creators.
- Bang Bang (Celebrity Tattoo Artist)notableCelebrity tattoo artist behind work for Rihanna, Bieber, and LeBron designed an exclusive semi-permanent tattoo featured in the Blood & Ink game. Players unlock the tattoo design by solving the case. This collaboration brings high-profile celebrity association to the product.
- Blair WitchnotableLicensed IP partnership with Blair Witch franchise for immersive horror mystery experiences. Hunt A Killer released Blair Witch Season 1 (Season 1 Box Set) and Season 2 (Season 2 Box Set) themed mystery games featuring episodic content.
- Agatha ChristienotableLicensed partnership to create 'Agatha Christie's The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge' game based on the famous author's detective novel.
- WalmartcoreMajor national retail partner offering exclusive preorder windows for new launches (The Salem Slicer), ongoing product availability, and in-store and online sales.
- TargetcoreNational retail partner carrying Hunt A Killer products both in physical stores and online, featuring games like Blood & Ink, Rideshare Homicide, and The Haunting At Wicker Ridge.
- AmazoncoreGlobal marketplace partner providing broad distribution for Hunt A Killer products including premium box sets and licensed titles.
- Barnes & NoblecoreRetail partner specializing in books and entertainment products, carrying Hunt A Killer mystery games alongside traditional reading material.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hunt A Killer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Asmodee: Global tabletop games publisher and parent of Space Cowboys (Unlock!), as well as many hobby-game brands. Competes broadly in the mystery/escape-room category through its portfolio and represents a key incumbent in Hunt A Killer's shelf space.
- Thames & Kosmos (Exit series): Publishes the EXIT: The Forgotten Seal / EXIT: The Mysterious Museum style escape-room games. Competes in the same at-home mystery/escape-room category with broad retail penetration and a larger overall product portfolio.
- Ravensburger (Exit: The Game series): Major tabletop publisher behind the Exit: The Game escape-room-in-a-box series. Competes directly in the at-home mystery/escape-room category and benefits from far broader retail distribution and brand recognition as an incumbent games company.
Direct peers
- Unlock! (Space Cowboys / Asmodee): Card-based escape-room game series published by Space Cowboys under Asmodee. Offers scenario-driven mystery experiences using a companion app, closely paralleling Hunt A Killer's hybrid physical-digital format and target buyer (adult game-night consumers).
- The Mysterious Package Company: Direct competitor in the immersive mailed mystery and detective experience category. Sells serialized, subscription-style mystery experiences that blend physical artifacts with narrative puzzles, overlapping Hunt A Killer's core hybrid physical-digital model.
- Bezier Games: Indie tabletop publisher behind murder-mystery and social-deduction titles (e.g., Ultimate Werewolf-adjacent formats). Overlaps with Hunt A Killer in the mystery/party-game aisle and the at-home social experience use case.
- Cryptozoic Entertainment: Tabletop publisher producing mystery, horror, and licensed-IP board games. Competes for the same mystery/horror shelf space and licenses well-known IPs, similar to Hunt A Killer's Blair Witch and Agatha Christie collaborations.
- Murder Mystery Party Co. Long-standing host-your-own murder mystery party kit company. Overlaps with Hunt A Killer's social-gamer segment (groups/couples/families seeking themed mystery entertainment) but with a less immersive, more scripted format.
Emerging players
- Jackbox Games: Party-game company selling digitally driven group games (draw, trivia, social deduction). Overlaps with Hunt A Killer in the at-home social-gamer segment but differs in being purely digital and screen-driven rather than hybrid physical.
Others
- Atlas Obscura (Experiences): Experience-driven media brand with mystery/immersive offerings including online experiences and trips. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but appeals to a similar curious, mystery-engaged adult audience and represents a potential partner or experiential extension.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hunt A Killer social profiles
Digital presenceHunt A Killer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hunt A Killer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Hunt A Killer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hunt A Killer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hunt A Killer
What does Hunt A Killer do?
Hunt A Killer designs, manufactures, and sells immersive murder mystery game boxes that combine physical evidence (cards, documents, photos, props, locked boxes) with digital companion website hints and recaps. The catalog includes standalone narrative cases ($29.99), premium collectible cases ($49.99–$149.99), and short card games ($9.99), sold directly to consumers through e-commerce, major U.S. retailers, and international shipping. An annual Evidence Locker membership ($50/year) provides early access and bonus rewards.
Is Hunt A Killer a public or private company?
Hunt A Killer is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hunt A Killer founded?
Hunt A Killer was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hunt A Killer based?
Hunt A Killer is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hunt A Killer make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Physical Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are evidence Locker Membership, merchandise Sales and killer Rewards Redemption.
Who are Hunt A Killer's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Asmodee, Thames & Kosmos (Exit series) and Ravensburger (Exit: The Game series). Direct peers are Unlock! (Space Cowboys / Asmodee), The Mysterious Package Company, Bezier Games, Cryptozoic Entertainment and Murder Mystery Party Co.. Jackbox Games is listed as an emerging player. Atlas Obscura (Experiences) is listed as an others.
Does Hunt A Killer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hunt A Killer.
What industry is Hunt A Killer in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALALAM, Escape Room Games & Mystery Puzzle Boxes Retail, with a secondary code of CRALAFAI, Collectibles, Trading Cards & Blind Box Toys Retail. Its NAICS code is 459120 and its SIC code is 5945.