Designing the perfect virtual game night for your group can be a fun and rewarding task. It is an excellent way to connect with friends, family, or colleagues in these times of social distancing. However, it requires careful planning and consideration to ensure that everyone has a great time.
The first step in designing a perfect virtual game night is deciding on the platform you’ll use for the event. There are numerous online platforms available today like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams that allow people to gather virtually. Consider factors such as ease of use, video quality, and maximum participant limit when choosing your platform.
Next comes selecting the games you want to play. The choice of games will largely depend on your group’s preferences. If they enjoy strategy games, consider options like Codenames or Risk. For those who prefer something more casual and humorous, games like Cards Against Humanity or Pictionary could be ideal choices. Many traditional board games have digital versions available online which can also be utilized.
When choosing games for your virtual game night remember not all online games are created equal when played remotely so it’s important to test them out beforehand. Some might require screen sharing while others may need additional apps or software downloaded by each participant.
Once you’ve decided on the platform and selected the games you’d like to play during your virtual game night then it’s time to set up some basic rules and guidelines for smooth operation of the evening’s events including setting suitable timings that work well for everyone involved.
It’s also a good idea at this point to send out invitations providing clear instructions about how participants can join in – this should include details about what equipment they’ll need (such as a computer with webcam), any software they’ll need to install plus any accounts they’ll need to create beforehand.
On the day itself make sure everything is ready ahead of time – check that all technology is working correctly before guests arrive so there are no last-minute technical glitches to deal with. It’s also a good idea to have one person act as the host or game master, guiding the group through each game and helping to resolve any issues that might arise.
Remember, the aim of the virtual game night is for everyone to have fun. Encourage participants to dress up, bring snacks and drinks just like they would at a regular games night. This will help create a more engaging and immersive experience for everyone involved.
Designing a perfect virtual game night requires effort and planning but it’s definitely worth it when you see the smiles on your friends’ faces as they enjoy an evening of fun-filled gaming together, despite being miles apart.