Source: Pexels.com
What keeps people apart while bringing them together? That’s correct—a game night in the virtual world. A virtual game night is an evening of shared enjoyment given through online games, ranging from professionally hosted virtual trivia nights to traditional board games that have undergone virtual transformations.
Some smartphone adaptations of classic board games simplify gameplay and offer in-app tutorials, making it easier for streaming game players to understand. It doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with people even if you can’t see them in person. Continue reading for tips on how to hold a virtual gaming night.
But, before you host your fun-filled virtual gaming night, here are some things to consider.
Planning
Allow plenty of time for folks to prepare for game night. For example, they may need to learn how to use a video chat platform for the first time, or they may need to download the software to their phone. Setting a time and date also offers everyone something to anticipate.
Numbers & Platform
There are numerous free video chat services available, with possibilities for large and small groups. Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet can all hold a video conference with up to 100 people at once, but they have various time constraints. The free version of Zoom cuts you off after 40 minutes, and Skype has a four-hour limit. FaceTime can accommodate up to 32 people; however, it is only available on Apple devices. Google Duo also supports 32 participants in cross-platform mobile chats. Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp have both jumped into the conversation, with Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp now allowing up to 50 individuals to speak simultaneously. Gaming-focused Discord includes all the video, talking, and screen-sharing tools you need if you can set it up. In addition, the corporation temporarily increased the maximum call limit to 25 persons.
Games
The Jackbox Party Packs are ideal for creating a virtual game night. They have a unique library of various types of games that will guarantee a fun night of gaming with friends. The makers of Jackbox Games have even started broadcasting virtual gaming nights with celebrities like Josh Hutcherson playing Jackbox Games in front of live audiences to raise money for charities.
The Jackbox Party Pack games are available on most gaming consoles, smart TVs, and desktops and come in six distinct bundles. Each pack contains 4-5 different games that may be played with up to 8 people. These games usually allow you to let out your eccentric and creative qualities to score high points from other players. By browsing the Jackbox website and inputting the room code presented on the screen, each player connects via their smartphone. The game room code is generated randomly for the game you’re about to play.
Source: Pexels.com
Explanation & Rules
When players are co-located and don’t understand the game, it’s easy for them to ask informal inquiries of the group or the individual sitting next to them. Because of all the physical clues, they can accomplish this without breaking the game’s rhythm. On the other hand, players find it more difficult to ask even modest clarifying inquiries online. It would help if you spent some time explaining the game in a thoughtful, systematic manner.
Snacks
This is good advice for life in general, but it’s also relevant for a virtual game night. Because no one is coming over, you won’t have to prepare an extravagant party platter or rummage through your garden harvest, but don’t skip out on the simple joys of putting together a spread of your favorite foods.
Source: Pexels.com
These times are strange, and being cooped up inside stinks. While virtual happy hours have been entertaining, they frequently turn into everyone whining about how bad things are right now. While I believe that everyone needs to vent once in a while, I become melancholy when it turns into a two-hour whine-fest. So I decided to organize a virtual gaming night instead. That was a LOT of fun. According to one of our pals, it was the most he’d laughed in a long time.
