How to Plan a Virtual Game Night with Your Friends

The last few years have seen people try to make the most of online activities than before. Ever since 2020, spending time with friends has become easier, even when everyone is in different places at the same time. Video calls and gaming apps have made it really convenient to enjoy a game night from the comfort of your home with your friends, even though you are not together. 

A virtual game night is a way for you and your friends to relax, but most importantly, stay in touch, destress, and feel less lonely. Especially when you all have busy schedules or are very far from each other, which can make regular physical meetings hard to plan. 

Numerous studies have shown that shared activities, like multiplayer gaming, help to make friendships stronger. A 2025 report from Statista has also revealed that 72 percent of gamers in the US play online games as a way to socialize and stay connected. This means that hosting a game night is indeed a way to keep and maintain healthy relationships. And the best part is that it can be done with no budget and no social pressure.

1. Pick The Perfect Games

The games are the most important part of the night, which means you want to choose the right ones. Examples of games you can try include Skribbl.io, Codenames, Among Us, and Jackbox Party Packs.  These games are popular because they are very easy to join, and you don’t need special equipment to play. Everyone can also join using their phones or laptops in order to make it stress-free for those who are beginners.

And for those who like a bit of excitement and competition, online casino games can also be fun to play. Stake casino is a usual go-to option for many players, but it might not be available across all regions. There are several Stake alternative casino options that offer similar experiences. These platforms provide free spins, crypto tokens, and even demo versions of popular casino games. This way, players can try out various games in one night.

Don’t choose difficult games or games that drag or take too long. Choose games that you can guarantee will work well on video calls. Go for group games that allow everyone to participate; they could be drawing games, guessing games, spinning games like roulette, or games with clues. Whatever makes you all happy is recommended.

2. Choose The Right Platform

Before the game night, you can decide on a place you want to meet. Zoom, Google Meet, and Discord are great platforms to use for games for your event. Discord, in particular, is popular in the gaming community. There are over 200 million monthly active users (MAU) on the app. If, for some reason, your friends bail out on you, you can still play with other players and still have a good time. 

These community apps allow everyone to join easily, share screens, and even have enough space for as many people as possible. You can also try other platforms like Bunch and Ludo Lush if you want to keep it casual. These apps let users play simple games directly inside the video chat.

Remember to use platforms that everyone already knows how to use; this helps to reduce confusion when it is game day. And if you have a friend who is new to the app you have all agreed on, ensure that the person has been guided on how to use it before you start playing. The good thing is that most of these apps are intuitive and can be used on phones or PCs.

3. Create A Group Chat For Planning

Planning ahead can make your game night go smoothly. This is why you should create a group chat, if you don’t have one already, to brainstorm and also keep everyone informed. You can decide to go for apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or even Discord to share updates, choose a date, and drop reminders. This keeps everyone in the loop. 

WhatsApp is one of the most used apps in the world, with over 2.5 billion users. It is used by everyone from Baby Boomers to Gen Z for daily communication. This makes it one of the easiest and most familiar platforms for group communication. You can also share pictures, memes, screenshots, and videos from your game night even after the event has passed. This keeps the fun going and can even lead to numerous game nights after.

4. Do A Short Test Before The Main Night

It is advisable to test the setup before the actual game night so that you can solve any potential challenges. If you’re the host, try to do a 10-minute call on the platform with a friend or 2 so that you can check for any issues. 

Make sure that you check the microphone, the internet, the camera, and even the game sites. Most importantly, check if the games and the platform you have chosen are compatible. A test run ensures a smooth and enjoyable games night, especially for first timers.

5. Set A Clear Time And Send Reminders

Agree on a time that works for everyone; this is especially important if there are people in different time zones from yours. Choose a day that works for everyone and then set reminders. These reminders can help everyone remember and look forward to the games night. You can even take it further and use apps like Canva to design a flyer for the event. This is another way to make it feel special for everyone involved. 

6. Keep The Energy Light And End On A High Note

Before you start planning at all, keep in mind that despite testing the apps and games, something might go wrong; it’s okay if this happens. The goal is to enjoy yourself with your friends; you can even use these situations to joke around and make everyone feel better. The most important thing is that everyone has fun. 

If you plan to host again, get feedback from everyone so that it can be even better. And if you all decide to make it a regular thing, let everyone take a turn hosting. In the end, ensure that everyone has so much and something much more to look forward to in the future. 

Planning a virtual game night does not have to be really hard, as long as you keep it simple and send out reminders, everything should go smoothly.