Suggested distant socializing tools, games and activities to help keep in touch with family, friends and loved ones during social distancing and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Have a game, tool or activity you think should be included? Contributions are very much encouraged! For information getting started see contributing.md!
On mobile, click view all of README.md below for the list!
- Jami - Peer2Peer Network, with TLS encryption and supported by FOSS
- Jitsi Meet - Up to 50 users in one room. Open Source Video Conferencing, which is behind 8x8 Video Meetings, Rocket.chat, Matrix/Riot and more. No registration needed. Has apps for iOS & Android and can be used in the browser at the PC. It can be self-hosted.
- Nextcloud Talk - Nextcloud is a cloud-application which can be self-hosted. Nextcloud Talk is the collaboration tool of it.
- Google Duo - Up to 12 users in one call, apps for Android, iOS or web. Needs a google account.
- Google Hangouts - Up to 25 users, screen sharing, apps for Android, iOS and works in the browser
- Facetime - Apple only video calls on Mac and iPhone, maximum of 32 users
- Wire - End-to-end enrcypted messenging and (video) calls.
- Discord - Chat app, with video and voice calling, no limit for voice participants
- HouseParty - An app for iOS and Android for group video chat with up to 8 people, it also includes games such as Heads Up, Draw Something and Quizzes
- Skype - Up to 10 users, screen sharing and remote desktop (possible privacy concerns)
- Whereby - Browser-based video calls and screen sharing, paid, free tier allows 1-4 people per room
- Zoom - Video calls and screen sharing, paid, free tier allows 100 users for up to 40 minutes (possible security concerns)
There are several different options here, digital implementations of board games, gaming simulators and online versions of games. Join a voice chat with your friends, and all play a game together.
There are many different board game sites where you can play board games online for free. Some offer premium features for an extra payment. The selection of games depends on the website.
- Tabletopia - 600+ games, including Sub Terra, Scythe, Love Letter and Santorini
- Board Game Arena - 150+ games including Race for the Galaxy, 7 Wonders, Carcassonne and Coup
- Yucata - 100+ games, including Stone Age, Castles of Burgundy and El Grande
- BrettspielWelt - 50+ games, including 7 Wonders, Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan
- PlayingCards - 5+ games, including Cards Against Humanity, Checkers and Go Fish
- PlayOk - 20+ classic board and card games, chess, checkers, backgammon, bridge, hearts
Some games with a low barrier to entry that work well remotely!
- Secret Hitler - a social deduction game for 5-10 players (alternative)
- Codenames - a clue giving game for two teams. 4+ players
- Codenames - alternate (worse) website for Codenames.
- Cards Against Humanity - a party game with fill in the blanks (alternative)
- Coup - a strategy and bluffing game for 2-6 players
- Telestrations - the telephone game but with drawings 6/12/15 players
- Settlers of Catan - the classic board game in your browser for free
- Decrypto - Another clue giving game for two teams, 4+ players
- ~Fake Artist - bluffing based drawing game, 3+ players - you can also self host
- Spyfall - bluffing based talking game, 3+ players
Tabletop Simulator emulates a 3D environment with a table, which you can "sit" around and interact with as you would in real life. Once you have the hang of how to manipulate the environment, you can play thousands of games.
Be aware that only a few of the games available are "legitimate" implementations and available for purchase, the majority of games are clones built by the community and rely on the honour system. You can download them from the Steam Workshop. Examples include UNO, The Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne.
One downside is that all your players need to own a copy of Tabletop Simulator to join. It's currently available for 50% off at Fanatical and activates on Steam. Additionally, only a few of the games are scripted, meaning it's up to the players to know how to play correctly and manipulate the pieces, as you would in person.
Recently, several publishers have been releasing digital versions of their board games for purchase. Again, a downside is that, usually, all the players need to own a copy, but you're rewarded with a high-quality digital implementation, that's usually scripted. Some popular games include:
- RISK - 1-6 player, fully licensed copy of the classic area control game
- UNO - 1-4 players, a classic card game of color and number matching
- Scythe: Digital Edition - 1-5 player, an engine-building war and territory control game
- Charterstone - 2-6 player, campaign based strategy game
More can be found on the Steam, and Humble Stores
Jackbox Games are local multiplayer games designed to play with a group of friends on the same screen using everyone's mobile phones. However, they work surprisingly well over the internet. Setup a voice call, share your screen and have people join the game from their phone or laptop.
Games include:
- Drawful - draw prompts and guess what your friends drew (currently free on some platforms)
- Quiplash - answer a prompt, then vote for your favourite responses
- Fibbage - create fake answers to trivia questions to trick your friends
They have a tutorial on how to set up Jackbox for remote play. You can use any tool that can capture your screen, such as Google Hangouts, Zoom or Discord.
Similar to Jackbox, these are local multiplayer games designed for couch play. Players connect using their smartphones, perfect for playing online. Share your screen on a video call, and have people dial in! A few games are available for free, but you need a $4.99/month membership to access them all, they do offer a free trial
Join a voice chat and try these games!
- Wiki Game - Race from one Wikipedia article to another
- Skribbl.io - take it in turns to guess each other's drawings
- LetsDraw - Pictionary, drawing contest and competitive copying
Play online multiplayer (everyone needs a copy); or local multiplayer games using a remote play service. Be sure to join a voice chat with everyone!
Since you can't all be in the same room together, you can make use of low latency video streaming with Parsec or Steam Remote Play Together to play local multiplayer-only games with friends.
There are simply too many to choose from to list them all! As well as the above local multiplayer games that support online play, there's online-only options from PUBG, Fortnite and Minecraft. Here's are some great games with a low barrier to entry:
You can also find several lists online:
- GamesRadar - 25 best online games
- PCGamer - best coop games
- Steam250 - top 250 coop games
Role-playing games, such as DnD, can easily be moved into the virtual world. You can play without any tools at all, but it might be easier to make use of a website such as Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, or Tabletop Simulator.
Hop on a voice or video call and all start watching a film on your favourite streaming service, or live TV, at the same time. It's almost like being in the same room. Though you'll have to all hit play at the same time!
Netflix Party is a Chrome Extension that sync's a Netflix video between several computers and adds group chat. For a monthly donation, it also includes built-in voice chat, but you could also use another conferencing tool. Your friends will need a paid Netflix subscription to watch.
Choose your favourite TV show or movie, use the extension to start a party, then send the link to your friends. They'll see the video and it will be kept in sync between you all! It only works on the computer, so if you want to watch on the TV you'll need to plug your laptop or desktop in!
Prepare some trivia questions by Googling "trivia questions" for resources, then hop on your favourite video chat, or use a streaming service such as Twitch, Facebook Live, or YouTube Live. You're in charge, but the general format would be several rounds of categories, followed by general knowledge questions. Then you can read out the answers and have your friends mark themselves!
There's a whole bunch of classic parlour games that can be easily adapted to video calls. Examples include:
- Truth or dare
- Kiss, Marry, Kill
- Would you Rather?
- Never have I ever
Here are some longer lists and explanations for the ones you don't know: