How to host a virtual game night people actually show up to
Long-distance friends, different time zones, one video call. What makes an online game night work, and what quietly kills it.
By The beMYN team
Our team is spread across a few cities, and a monthly online game night is one of the things that keeps us feeling like a team. We've done a lot of them. Some were great. Some had four people staring at each other while someone's audio cut out.
Pick a time that works for the far-away friend
If one person is three hours ahead, plan around them. On beMYN the event time shows in the event's own timezone, so write the zone in the title or description if your group is spread out.
Put the call link in the invite
Set the location to online and paste the meeting link there. Everyone who RSVPs has it in one place, and nobody has to dig through a chat at 8:01 asking for it again.
Choose games that work with lag
Anything that needs split-second timing will fall apart. Trivia, drawing games, word games and anything turn-based hold up much better. Pick one or two ahead of time and send the rules with your reminder update so nobody spends the first twenty minutes learning.
Keep it to ninety minutes
Screens get tiring. End while people are still having fun and they'll come back next month. Close it out with a quick poll for the next date so it's already on the calendar.
Quick answers
What games work on a video call?
Trivia, drawing, word and turn-based games. Anything that needs fast reactions struggles with lag.
How long should a virtual game night be?
About ninety minutes. End while people are still having fun.
Try it on your next plan
Set up the invite, pick a look, and drop one link in the group chat.
Create an event