None required
A single group is formed.
Live Mafia is a group game similar to “Mafia” Mafia (party game), but with several distinct differences. A small number of players are selected as members of the mafia, typically 1-2, just like in the base game. The major alteration comes in the form of players actively moving around a darkened room.
In this variation, players wander around a room with the lights off. The mafia members "kill" by quietly tapping other players on the neck. Upon receiving a tap, players must lie down on the ground, marking them as a "body". If a mafia member taps another mafia member on the neck, nothing happens.
When a player stumbles upon a body, they must shout out "body". Immediately, everyone must stop moving and the lights are switched back on. The game then transitions into a voting period where players attempt to deduce the mafia's identity based on any "evidence" gathered. For instance, "I found the body, but just before this, I felt or heard someone moving to my left. That's exactly where John is standing now, so I vote he is mafia". The accused can defend themselves before the voting takes place. If voted out, they must announce whether they were innocent or a member of the mafia before leaving the game. This process continues until either the mafia members or the innocents are eliminated.
An alternative method to play the game that doesn't involve a dark room involves giving handshakes to other players. In this variant, mafia members have a unique handshake, such as poking the other person's palm with a finger. Players must lie on the floor approximately 20 seconds after shaking hands with the mafia member. Just like in the previous method, mafia members cannot "kill" each other.