The 6 Best 2-Player Games On Zoom For A Virtual Hangout. You don't technically need to see the other person to play, but the game can be so much more interactive if you choose to add a video. A great alternative to just always watching movies on Zoom is playing some free online games! There are so many games that have been online for ages and also other games that are brand new that are available just to play with your friends at a distance. 24 Fun Games You Can Play On Zoom + Other Conference Calls. Name in the Bag/Guess Who? You know that popular Christmas Day game where you put the celeb names on post-it notes and stick it on someone’s head? A Day In Paris For Paris Fans. Online Cook Club.
Now that the majority of the country is practicing social distancing, the way we entertain ourselves has drastically changed. Musicians are streaming concerts on YouTube, comedians are going live on Instagram, and people all over the world are using Zoom well after their work calls are over in order to spend time with loved ones. But if your video chat hangs are starting to feel a bit repetitive (read: You're drinking way more wine than usual), a game night on Zoom may provide a much-needed reprieve.
'Using video conferencing technology to have fun, to engage with other people, and to connect socially, reminds us that we are not alone and that we have people there to support us,' Dr. Josh Klapow, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and associate professor of public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, tells Bustle.
Hopping on video chat can be a great way to feel less isolated. Folks everywhere are propping up their phones while they cook together, watch movies, or simply have conversations. But the fun of a game night, in particular, can make these quiet evenings seem a little less strange and a lot more nostalgic. Battling it out with friends might even ease coronavirus-related anxiety, at least for a little while, as you focus your mind elsewhere.
Here, a few ideas for ways to have a Zoom game night, so you can stay connected from afar.
Get to know your friends even better by playing a game of 21 Questions. To get things started, have everyone come up with a list of 21 Qs, then roll a die, and have the person with the lower number answer first.
The person who is asking should start with easy questions, like, 'What did you have for breakfast this morning?' Then move onto ones that are more risqué, if your friends are OK with that.
You can ask 'what if?' questions, pose interesting scenarios, ask about dreams and fears — or whatever else sounds fun.
If you're looking for fun games to play with your friends remotely, there are plenty of ways to approach it. Although it may be difficult to plan a game night if you can't all be in the same spot at once, you can try a virtual game night using a video conferencing platform, such as Zoom. Here are 6 games you can play on Zoom for long-distance fun.
Playing games together from afar isn't as hard as it sounds. To plan a game night, make sure everyone has a reliable internet connection and a video-conferencing service like Zoom or Google Hangouts. Next, make sure you know the requirements of the game or platform. For some games, you'll want to start the game on your laptop and share your screen. For instance, to play Jackbox Games on Zoom, you'll have to have one person start the game, share their screen, and play that way.
Gameplay software and consoles are a great way to start playing games remotely over Zoom. Steam is a particularly good choice for remote play using its Steam Remote Play feature. If you use Steam Remote Play, only one person has to own a game copy in order to start, but you'll all need to make free accounts to play together. While Steam takes care of the game screen sharing, keeping Zoom open offers an easier way to socialize while you're playing.
There are several games that are easy to start playing with your friends on Zoom.
We only include products that have been independently selected by Elite Daily's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
1. Jackbox Games' Drawful 2
Through April 11, 2020, Jackbox Games is offering Drawful 2 is free if you download it with the Steam code here.The game is similar to Pictionary, except you and your friends will be challenged with ridiculous drawing prompts such as 'cotton candy hair' or a 'creepy tiger.'
2. Pictionary With Zoom's Whiteboard Feature
Zoom has a whiteboard sharing feature that is just perfect for playing Pictionary with your friends. You can play with the actual game or make up your own prompts. To use it, you'll need to make sure you have at least a 3.5.1 or higher of the Zoom desktop client for PC or 3.5.2 for Mac. If you are using your iPad, you'll need a 2.5.3 or higher.
To use Zoom's whiteboard, you'll want to click the share screen button located in your meeting toolbar, select the whiteboard, and click share. You should then see annotation tools that will let you use your mouse to draw as you would for Pictionary. You can take turns sharing the screen's whiteboard depending on who's turn it is, and you can put some in charge of keeping time for the person who is drawing.
3. Jackbox Games' Fibbage XL
Fibbage XL on Jackbox Games is a fun game to play with as many as eight players. The game involves bluffing and fooling your friends while you all try to figure out the correct answer to a question out of a pack of lies. To play remotely, share your computer screen on Zoom while one person streams their game, and let the fun begin.
Jackbox has a Steam code offer for this game right now at half the usual price.
4. Charades
One of the great things about playing charades is that you barely need any materials to get a game going, and you can play with as many people as you want. Just gather your friends together over Zoom, choose your teams, and consult with each other in individual chats to get the rounds going.
5. Zoom Bingo
Playing bingo over Zoom is an easy way to hold a game night. Have each of your friends print out the same style of bingo cards (make sure they aren't identical), and have one of you as a designated caller. One way to approach this is to write out the numbers on cards, shuffle them, and pull them one at a time.
Online Games To Play On Zoom Conference
There are also online bingo options that allow for multiplayers to join, such as Facebook Instant Games' bingo option in Messenger or GamePoint Bingo from Youda Games.
6. Personalized Trivia Game
Online Games To Play On Zoom Call
A fun, interactive idea is to use an application such as TriviaMaker.com to create your own trivia games. Anyone can create their own game once they have a TriviaMaker account, and once you've created a game you can share it and play with your friends while video chatting on Zoom. The best way to do this is to make the file downloadable, share screens, or use the Web presenter link for friends playing together.
If you want to play a trivia game that doesn't require as much work, there are fun options like this Sporcle Trivia Bingo room. You can start a personal room and share your personalized link with friends to play together. Or, one person can share their screen to have everyone guess together. You can also find fun trivia games on Facebook and Snapchat which you can play with Zoom if you share your screen.
Free Zoom Bingo Games
Bonus: Risk: Global Domination
Best Virtual Games For Zoom
You don't technically need Zoom to use this one since it's a free multiplayer option you can play remotely using Steam. Steam only shares your game screen, so keeping Zoom open at the same time offers a better experience for a full-on hangout.