How to Host a Virtual Game Night

Game nights usually include in-person gatherings with physical board games and playing cards, but the COVID-19 pandemic has turned our social lives upside down and shifted these hangouts to the internet. However, just because you can't see people in person, it doesn't mean you can't still have fun together. Read on for a primer on how to host a virtual game night.

How Many People Can I Invite?

Free video chat services abound, with options for groups large and small. Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet all support up to 100 people in a video chat at one time, but they have different time limits. Skype has a four-hour limit, and the free version of Zoom cuts you off after 40 minutes. Google Meet is currently unlimited (well, up to 24 hours anyway), but that's only until March 31 for now. Otherwise, it's usually a 60-minute limit on Google's service.

FaceTime allows up to 32 participants, but can only be used on Apple's devices. For cross-platform mobile chats, Google Duo also allows 32 participants.

Slack is not the most ideal option here because you can only participate in one-to-one video calls on its free tier (Standard, Plus, and Enterprise Grid plans support up to 15 people). The free version of Microsoft Teams, however, usually supports up to 100 people, though that's been boosted to 300 for 24-hour sessions until further notice, thanks to COVID-19.

Other chat platforms have also jumped into the conversation with Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp now allowing up to 50 people at once.

If you can set it up, gaming-focused Discord has all the video, chatting, and screen-sharing features you need. The company also temporarily upped the maximum call limit to 25 people.

How to Share Your Screen

While using a phone will work in a pinch, using your computer will let you share your screen more easily and provide more options for playing together. Once you select a video platform and everyone has been invited onto the call, it's time to share your screen and start the game. 

Screen sharing works similarly on most apps. In Skype, the screen-share button looks like two boxes, but keep in mind that the feature is only available in Chrome if you're using the web app. If someone doesn't have Chrome, they should download the Skype program. In Zoom, it's the green Screen Share button at the bottom. You can share your whole screen, just a browser, individual programs, and even documents or portions of the screen.

Google Meet has a Present button that will let you share an individual Chrome tab, your entire desktop, or a specific program. If you're in a Discord video call, click the Video/Screenshare swap button to toggle between video and screen sharing.

Now that the technical stuff is out of the way, here are a few ways you can use this setup to play games online with your friends.

Jackbox Party Pack

If you love Jackbox Party Pack games like Quiplash and Fibbage, you'll be happy to hear that these titles can be played remotely, and only one person needs to own the game. Everyone joins a video call and the game owner shares their screen. (Here's how to do it on Discord.)

Participants go to jackbox.tv on their mobile devices and enter a room code to participate. Steam sells party packs for Windows or Mac, though some games can be purchased individually, like Quiplash, Fibbage, Use Your Words, Drawful, and the You Don't Know Jack trivia.

Tabletop Role-Play Games

If you and your friends have a regular Dungeons & Dragons campaign, a simple video call may be all you need. Set up the video so everyone can see each other; the game master shares their screen so everyone can keep track of game stats together. If you need dice, there are plenty of simulator sites.

For a more robust experience, or if you're just getting into pen-and-paper role-playing, virtual tabletop applications like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds provide supporting material, like character sheets, dice rolling, maps, rulebooks, and more.

Another popular option is Tabletop Simulator, which is typically $19.99 on Steam, and provides players with sandbox-style simulation for tabletop gaming. The game supports many popular (and lesser known) publishers, but also provides game-creation tools and RPG kits with tilesets, miniatures, and more. It also comes with 15 classic games, like chess, dominoes, and mahjong. Play with up to 10 people over voice and text chat. Just keep in mind that it's more of a simulator than an actual game, so it won't teach you how to play. On the plus side, the physics of the game allow you to do anything you want, even flip the game board over if you lose.

For a free option, Tabletopia offers a lot of the same features.

Houseparty

Popular social video platform Houseparty can bring eight people together to play several party games built into the app. Click the dice icon inside the app to access popular games like Uno and Heads Up! You can also do karaoke, play trivia, or check out several word and drawing games. These games are available for free, though there are also paid decks of trivia questions.

The Houseparty iOS and Android apps also integrate with Fortnite on PC and PlayStation. Tap the hand icon, then the gear to open Settings. Tap Fortnite Mode Options and choose Connect Fortnite to connect your Epic Games account.

Board Games

An online board game gets around the issue of everyone needing to be in the same room to play, but be aware that everyone will need to own the game in most instances. Monopoly can be played with friends on PC, mobile, and game consoles, though reviewers have noted that the app can be a little buggy. A more reliable choice for PC may be The Game of Life or Clue, which have better reviews.

You can also purchase less familiar games, like Axis & Allies 1942 Online, Carcassone, Mysterium, Race for the Galaxy, or Ticket to Ride. Or try a board game bundle. Browse them al in the board game section on Steam.

If you'd rather not invest any money, Risk: Global Domination is an online version of the classic board game, and it's free to play on PC. Settlers of Catan has a free version on Steam, but it's reportedly very buggy. The Catan website has a web app that may also be worth a try. Once you all make profiles and add each other as friends, you should be able to start a game.

Pogo.com has a collection of free web-based board games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, and more. Each game has a waiting room, and friends can be added through Facebook. Elsewhere, there's a very stripped down—but free—version of Codenames. There's also a .io version of Secret Hitler. Set up a private room and share the URL with your friends. 

Card Games

If you're looking for a card game to play with friends, a paid version of Uno is available on Steam, but you can play for free on iOS and Android.

You can play Rummikub directly on the official website. Just create a private room and invite friends through Facebook. Cards Against Humanity has a free .io version of the game, allowing you to create a private room or share a URL directly.

If you're looking for something a little more exciting, Magic: The Gathering Arena is free for Windows, and allows players of the classic card game to face each other in Direct Challenges. If you're a Hearthstone player, you can battle friends in duels. Fans of the Elder Scrolls series can try out The Elder Scrolls: Legends for free across all platforms. Gwent: The Witcher Card Game offers a Casual Play mode that lets you face off with friends.

Whatever game you choose, turn it into a makeshift tournament with friends who are paired up on the same call. The winners then advance to determine the victor of game night.

Co-op Video Games

Video games may be an easy way to pass the time alone while in isolation, but you can also turn the right cooperative party game or social simulator into a fun online game night. The easiest co-op games to play are titles like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes and Spaceteam because they are both available on mobile. These titles are intended to be played in the same room for maximum effect, but it'll work in a pinch on a video call.

There are many more traditional PC and console games that offer co-op modes for one to four players, though Overcooked! 2 and Don’t Starve Together may work particularly well for all sorts of gamers. For something less intensive, Stardew Valley has a multiplayer mode that allows you and your friends to maintain a farm. Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch allows your friends to visit your island, making it a good game to hang out together on a video call. (We have tips for that too.)

Competitive Multiplayer Video Games

If you're interested in something competitive for PC or home console, battle royale shooters are great ways to play together. Some of the more popular free-to-play titles these days are Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone. If you're new to the genre, we have tips to get you started with Fortnite, Apex Legends, and PUBG.

Shooters may dominate the space, but don't stop there. Tetris 99, for instance, is a Switch Online exclusive and has a brilliant Team Battle mode. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout also offers a fun take on the battle royale format.

For those still looking for something a little lighter, Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics provides dozens of popular board games and card games to play.

Before you set up a game night, make sure everyone has a robust internet connection. PlayStation and Xbox players need to be subscribed to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, respectively, if they want to play with friends online. Similarly, Switch players need to sign up for the Switch Online service before trying to interact with other players.

Trivia Night

If you and a group of friends regularly attend a local trivia night, consider taking the experience online. Many trivia hosts have moved over to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The NYC Trivia League, for instance, has regular trivia nights on Instagram Live.

If you're looking for something a little more mobile-friendly, HQ Trivia is on iOS and Android. The popular trivia app temporarily shut down in early 2020 but made a comeback in the early days of the pandemic. While the app isn't going to work as a multiplayer game, getting everyone on a Zoom chat will make things more fun.

For fans of Jeopardy!, a version of the game for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 allows you to play online multiplayer together. Just make sure you set up a video call and that everyone has access to online play before investing.