Organising an online games night with friends
If you have a large group of friends, it can sometimes be difficult to get everyone in the same place at the same time. Even with the most meticulous planning, you’ll find things crop up and people can’t make it. Fortunately, you can still all do something together and you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home.
A virtual games night is a great idea for a get-together. Not only are these events easy to plan but most chat platforms now allow up to 100 people to be on screen at once, ensuring all members of your group can join in. To help you organise your online games night, we’ve shared some of our top tips.
Decide on a date
The first thing you need to do is figure out when everybody can come together. Start by suggesting a few potential dates, taking into account everyone’s schedules. If this becomes a bit too complicated, consider using a tool like Doodle to store the information.
Once the date is confirmed, pick a timeframe and then share it with your group. Note that the further in advance you do this, the easier it is for people to plan and look forward to your event.
Choose a theme
You don’t necessarily need a theme for your games night but opting for one can make it much more creative. Pick one that you know will appeal to your guests, whether this is a casino theme, retro theme, or Great Gatsby theme.
Asking everyone to do their own decorations might not be feasible but that doesn’t mean you can’t jazz up your screen. Adding a virtual background to your call is a great way of embracing your chosen theme and getting your friends excited for the games to come.
Picking games to play
When deciding on the game or games you are going to play, remember that it must be able to accommodate enough players for your group and work playing remotely. There are options to split people into teams on most call services and you can still use other devices while being on the call.
Some great examples of games you can play include online bingo, virtual escape rooms, murder mysteries, and team quizzes.
Remember to take breaks
Depending on the length or the frequency of the games you choose, you may need to allow for several breaks for your guests to grab some snacks or a drink. You can pre-plan these if you wish but it’s worth asking everyone intermittently how they’re feeling.
