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:

• All games you can play alone
• Solo card games
• Solo dice games

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