Virtual party games for your next video call

Set up in two minutes

You need a call that is already running and a browser on each player's device. A phone next to the laptop works fine.

1. Start your call on whatever app your group uses.
2. Open Start a game, choose Online and pick Spyfall or Words.
3. Create the room and paste the invitation link in the call chat.
4. Everyone joins with a nickname; the host starts when all are in.
5. Read your card on your own screen, then talk on the call and vote in the room.

House rules for playing over a call

Never share your game screen: one glance at a civilian card gives the location away, and one glance at the spy card exposes the spy. Keep cameras on if you can; reactions are half the fun.

Agree on how to take turns so people do not talk over each other. The game names who asks or clues first, and in word games online clues are typed in order, which helps on laggy calls.

Which game works best online?

Spyfall online is the most social: spoken questions and answers, then a vote in the room. Word games suit bigger or quieter calls, since each clue is typed and shown to everyone. Try Who is the spy when the group wants a proper argument.

Other games that work on a video call

Not every party game survives a laggy call. These ones do, because they only need talking and a camera:

• Online quiz or trivia: one host reads questions, teams answer in the chat. Easy to scale to big calls.
• Charades on camera: act it out for your team; turn up the screen size.
• Two Truths and a Lie: perfect for calls where people do not know each other well.
• Drawing games on a shared whiteboard: most meeting tools have one built in.
• Werewolf or Mafia: needs a moderator who sends roles privately, and 7 or more players.

If someone drops out

If a connection drops, the player can return in the same browser tab and the game restores their place while their membership is still valid. If a player leaves for good in the middle of a round, the round ends without points and the group can start a new one.

Questions