Business closures and stay-at-home orders have definitely shaken life up a bit! Now instead of meeting friends at your favorite hangouts or hosting get-togethers on the back deck, you might be left twiddling your thumbs and wondering just what you’re supposed to do to have fun and stay social. Here are some ideas for hosting a virtual game night.
How (and Where) to Host a Virtual Game Night
A virtual game night sounds pretty fun… but for many of us, it’s probably a pretty new concept—one we have no idea how to go about getting started. Here are some tips for throwing together your first virtual game night.
Figure out a way to connect
If there’s one good thing to come out of all this craziness, it’s that we’ve found a lot of new and interesting ways to stay connected to friends and family! For Apple users, FaceTime has long been a favorite for video chatting—but it’s hardly the only one out there. Google Hangouts is Google’s version, and there are many others, like Zoom, Discord, Skype, and more.
Find a game style
Depending on how many people you have and what type of game you’d prefer to play, you’ve got a few options. Players can download an app on their phone to simultaneously answer questions (party-game style) or play “cards”. You can log into a turn-based playing app or platform (for a more laid-back strategy gaming experience). You can even have one player “own” the game and simply share their screen with the other players (for a more “in-person” feel).
Pick a platform
Once you’ve got some of the details figured out, it’s time to find your game! For an all-play party game, try Heads Up, Evil Apples, Psych!, or even Charades. Simply have all players download the app and start playing!
For turn-based strategy play, try a board game app, like Dominion, Catan, or Ticket to Ride. You can even experiment with a platform like Board Game Arena.
If you’re okay with a screenshare type of game play, Jackbox Party Games is probably the best there is. This platform requires one player to buy the game and share with others, and typically involves sharing or showing a main computer screen.
Try a classic party game
If you already have a classic party game—like Charades, Pictionary, or Scattergories—you can pretty easily adapt them to online play. This might involve using points rather than traversing a playing board, downloading game templates, or using scratch paper. You might have to get a little creative… but that just adds to the fun.
Have fun!
The main rule of virtual gaming is to have fun! Bend the rules, go with the flow, get creative, and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. In this difficult time, we need all the laughter we can get.
Need More Tips for Navigating Social Distancing?
Want to learn more about the ins and outs of navigating social distancing? We at HTR might not be virtual game wizards, but we are expert real estate agents, so we can answer just about any question out there when it comes to buying and selling your home. If you have any questions or concerns about real estate in Johnston County, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time.
