Covid-19-List: The best games to play remote by video conference 2023
The Corona pandemic has shaken up 2020 big time. Almost put the whole world into lockdown. Since then we have: Mandatory masks, cancelled events (e.g. the SPIEL'20), keep your distance - preferably no contact with others at all. So you stay at home more often, are much more alone due to quarantine and/or the lockdown(-light) and miss the common game evenings with friends and family? Then we have just the thing for you: A list of the best games that you can play very well with each other via audio and/or video conference.
See Corona & Social Distancing as an opportunity
We've created this corona games list for you to play with your friends and family - wherever you and your gaming partners are in the world.... and do it while everyone is safe in your home.
The time for games has come
Card, dice & board games are a great way to relax, have fun and clear your head. At the same time, you spend time with family and friends. Games are an ideal way to bring people together - even if we are physically separated. In short, this is exactly the time for social games!
How do I play with people in a different location?
The best way is to use video conferencing to hold the gaming session with someone. Seeing someone is already very important for social interaction. There are several systems (some of them paid) for this (Skype, Zoom, Cisco Webex, WhatsApp, Facetime, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Duo/Hangouts, Discord) - but some games just work over the phone.
Filming the game board - but what about my face?
For most games it is necessary to film the game board or the game material like dice or cards. But not everyone has a tripod for their webcam, smartphone or tablet. What has turned out to be a super help here: Tennis, squash or badminton rackets. Simply build a tower with other materials, place the racket on it and position the smartphone so that the camera films through the covering.
Those who lack social proximity can simply film their face with another camera or smartphone/Tablet. Systems that allow multiple participants in a video conference and run on many platforms are for example Skype, WhatsApp (only smartphones/Tablets) or Facetime (Mac Only).
Which board games are suitable at all?
As you may have seen, many dice- or roll-and-write-games are available in our Corona list. This is due to the following points supporting remote play:
- little game material - mostly this can even be printed out by yourself
- low level of interaction with the game material
- little complexity
These requirements are also met by a lot of Party Games (Monikers, Wavelength), therefore these are also strongly represented. In addition, some Abstract and less abstract Tile Placement Games (Azul, Patchwork, Sagrada, Carcassonne) are included - here the host must own the game and make the moves for the other players.
In addition, many other interesting genres are included in our Corona list - just look for yourself.
Play online
Not one has desire on the above-mentioned play genres.... here then different online platforms offer themselves, which lift the board game world into the digital and/or virtual one. Very good online versions of board games exist, for example, for PC and/or tablet (Carcassonne, Dominion, Skat).
Online platforms for parlor games
In addition, there are still many platforms that are not only dedicated to a parlor game, but offer an entire collection of dice, card & board games.
First and foremost, the Tabletopia, which was also successfully used at SPIEL.digital, can be mentioned.
- Tabletopia
- Tabletop Simulator
- Yucata
- Board Game World
- Board Game Arena
- Boite a Jeux (French)
- Vassal
- Happy Meeple
- BoardSpace
- Your Turn My Turn
- BoardGameCore
Still haven't found a game partner? Play alone!
If you haven't found a game partner, if they don't have the necessary technical equipment, if they don't have the time or if they don't have the same gaming preferences... there are also great games that you can play alone. We have created the following extra lists for you:
Did we forget a good remote play game?
What do you think is the best dice, card or board game to play via video conferencing? Write us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de.
List of the best games to play together via videoconference in the Corona pandemic
Just One
- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!18€ at.de
Video reviews for Just One
Monikers
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Monikers- 4 - 16 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 17+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Monikers
Codenames
- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!18€ at.de
Telestrations
Nominated for 9 awards and won 7.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013
More details for Telestrations- 4 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Telestrations
Azul
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!35€ at.de
Video reviews for Azul
7 Wonders Duel
Nominated for 16 awards and won 9.
More details for 7 Wonders Duel- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!21€ at.de
Video reviews for 7 Wonders Duel
Codenames: Duet
Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.
More details for Codenames: Duet- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 11+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!18€ at.de
Video reviews for Codenames: Duet
Patchwork
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Patchwork- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Patchwork
Wavelength
Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.
More details for Wavelength- 2 - 12 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!39€ at.de
Video reviews for Wavelength
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Nominated for 15 awards and won 10.
⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018
More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!24€ at.de
Video reviews for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Decrypto
Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.
More details for Decrypto- 3 - 8 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Decrypto
Skull
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Skull- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Skull
Silver & Gold
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Silver & Gold- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Las Vegas
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Las Vegas
Cartographers
- 1 - 100 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Flamme Rouge
Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.
More details for Flamme Rouge- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Flamme Rouge
Welcome To...
Nominated for 12 awards and won 2.
More details for Welcome To...- 1 - 100 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!20€ at.de
Video reviews for Welcome To...
That's Pretty Clever!
Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018
More details for That's Pretty Clever!- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!9€ at.de
Onitama
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Onitama- 2 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!24€ at.de
King of Tokyo
Nominated for 19 awards and won 7.
More details for King of Tokyo- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Bärenpark
Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.
More details for Bärenpark- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Bärenpark
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Sagrada
Nominated for 10 awards.
More details for Sagrada- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!30€ at.de
Ticket to Ride
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Ticket to Ride
Can't Stop
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Can't Stop- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Legacy of Dragonholt
- 1 - 6 Players
- 60 - 999 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Coloretto
Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.
More details for Coloretto- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Insider
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Insider- 4 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Insider
Deep Sea Adventure
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!18€ at.de
Incan Gold
Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005
More details for Incan Gold- 3 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: