Quick Demo Template

🚀 Quick Demo Template

Target Time: 35-40 minutes

This template is designed for rapid introductions to Malware & Monsters, perfect for environments where time is limited but you still want to deliver a impactful, full narrative experience.

When to Use:

• Conference booths and expo demonstrations.
• “Lunch and learn” quick introductions.
• “Is this framework right for us?” evaluation sessions for potential stakeholders.
• First-time player onboarding to grasp core mechanics quickly.

Pre-Configured Settings:

• MAJOR TIME IMPACT:
  • Number of Rounds: 1 round
  • Actions per Player: 1 action per round
• MODERATE TIME IMPACT:
  • Investigation Structure: Guided (IM presents clues on a timeline)
  • Response Structure: Pre-defined (IM presents 2-3 clear options)
  • Team Size: 2-3 players (hybrid roles recommended)
• MINOR TIME IMPACT:
  • Success Mechanics: Automatic (good idea = success)
  • Debrief Length: Quick (5 min)
  • Turn Timer: None
• COMPLEXITY OPTIONS:
  • Attack Complexity: Single vector
  • Evidence Type: Obvious
  • Red Herrings: Absent
  • Containment Clarity: Clear type effectiveness
  • NPC Count: Essential (2-3 key NPCs)
  • Badge Tracking: Off
  • Reference Materials: Available

Experience:

A fast-paced, highly guided introduction to M&M with full storytelling but streamlined gameplay. Players quickly engage with the core loop of identifying threats and responding, making immediate, tangible decisions.

Time Breakdown (Example 40-minute session):

• Introduction & Role Assignment: 5 minutes
• Scenario Briefing: 5 minutes
• Gameplay (1 round, 1 action, Guided/Pre-defined): ~20 minutes
• Quick Debrief: 5 minutes
• Q&A / Next Steps: 5 minutes
• Total: ~40 minutes

Customize This Template:

You can adjust individual options from this template to suit your needs.

• Add 5-10 min: Change Debrief Length to “Standard” (10 min).
• Add complexity without adding time:
  • Switch “Evidence Type” to “Subtle” or “Mixed”.
  • Introduce “Red Herrings” (Present).
• Make it easier: Keep all settings as-is. This template is already designed for maximum ease of entry.

Recommended Scenarios & Malmons:

Choose scenarios with clear, straightforward objectives and obvious evidence.

• Recommended Malmons: GaboonGrabber, Code Red (simplified versions).
• Recommended Scenarios: Initial Infection, Data Exfiltration (single stage).

Facilitation Notes:

• Focus on guiding players through the mechanics.
• Emphasize the narrative and player choices, even in a guided format.
• Be ready to provide hints or steer players if they get stuck, to keep the pace flowing.
• Ensure a clear, concise debrief that highlights key learning points.

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Quick Demo Prep Checklist

Pre-Session Materials (15-20 min prep)

Essential Documents:

• Scenario card for your chosen malmon and variant
• Planning document for detailed facilitation guidance
• Malmon detail page for type effectiveness reference

Guided Investigation Clues (Prepare 3 clues):

• If scenario card has “Guided Investigation Clues” section: Review and internalize clues
• If not: Extract 3 most obvious clues from planning document’s “Detective Investigation Leads”
• Format: “Clue 1 (Minute 5): [evidence]”, “Clue 2 (Minute 10): [evidence]”, “Clue 3 (Minute 15): [evidence]”

Pre-Defined Response Options (Prepare 2-3 options):

• If scenario card has “Pre-Defined Response Options” section: Review Options A, B, C
• If not: Extract from planning document’s “Type-Effective Approaches” section:
  • Option A: Most effective (super-effective vs malmon type)
  • Option B: Moderately effective
  • Option C: Less effective (commonly attempted but struggles)
• Each option has: Action, Pros, Cons, Type Effectiveness

Hook & Opening (5-min practice):

• Read scenario card “Hook” and “Opening Presentation”
• Internalize key facts - don’t read verbatim
• Practice present-tense delivery: “It’s [time/day]. [Situation is unfolding]…”
• Identify 2-3 NPCs to voice (if included)

Initial Symptoms:

• Review “Initial Symptoms to Present” from scenario card
• Plan to present 3-5 observable symptoms that indicate something is wrong
• These establish urgency without revealing the malmon identity

Session Flow (Quick Reference)

Introduction & Role Assignment (5 min):

• Welcome players to Malware & Monsters
• Explain Quick Demo format: 1 round, 1 action each, guided investigation, pre-defined response
• Assign roles (2-3 players, hybrid roles if needed)
• Set expectation: “This is a quick introduction - you’ll get a feel for the mechanics”

Scenario Briefing (5 min):

• Present the Hook (internalized, not read)
• Describe organizational context briefly
• Present Initial Symptoms
• State the pressure/urgency
• Ask: “What’s your first instinct about what’s happening?”

Gameplay - Guided Investigation (15-20 min):

• Minute 5: Present Clue 1, ask “What does this tell you?”
• Minute 10: Present Clue 2, ask “What patterns are emerging?”
• Minute 15: Present Clue 3, guide toward malmon identification
• Malmon Identification: “Based on these characteristics [list], what type of threat is this?”
• Response Decision: Present Options A, B, C with Action/Pros/Cons
• Team Choice: Let players debate and choose (2-3 min)
• Resolution: Describe outcome based on choice and type effectiveness

Quick Debrief (5 min):

• “What surprised you about this scenario?”
• “How did the malmon type influence your response choice?”
• Highlight 1-2 key learning points (e.g., “Trojan-type threats are weak against behavioral analysis”)
• Connect to real-world relevance

Q&A / Next Steps (5 min):

• Answer questions about M&M framework
• Discuss other session formats (Lunch & Learn, Full Game)
• Provide resources for continued learning

Troubleshooting Quick Reference

If players are stuck:

• Offer a hint: “What would the [Detective/Protector/Tracker role] check?”
• Provide a leading question: “Given this is a [Type] threat, what approaches typically work?”

If running over time:

• Skip player debate, say “Let’s go with Option [X] and see what happens”
• Condense debrief to 1-2 key points

If running short:

• Ask follow-up questions: “How would you explain this to [NPC]?”
• Expand debrief discussion about real-world applications

Materials to Have Ready

Physical/Digital:

• Timer or clock visible
• Role cards (if using physical)
• Whiteboard/screen for showing symptoms (optional)
• Type effectiveness chart (optional reference)

Reference Pages Open:

• Scenario card
• Pre-defined options (scenario card or extracted from planning doc)
• Guided clues (scenario card or extracted)
• Malmon detail page (for type effectiveness adjudication)

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Ready to facilitate! Remember: This is about giving players a taste of M&M mechanics. Keep it moving, keep it engaging, and trust the process. Your energy and storytelling matter more than perfect execution.