By Gina Samec

Edited by Natalie Grace Sipula

2½ minute read]

Whether you have moved back to LA or have remained at home for the fall semester, we are all adjusting to the disconnection we feel from our friends who may be thousands of miles away. While Facetime or a Zoom call is a great way to catch up with friends, we are severely limited in the activities we can do together. There’s always Netflix Party for when you want to wind down at the end of the night and watch a movie with friends. However, if you are trying to find more engaging activities to do with friends, virtual games are the perfect solution. Below are some virtual games I have enjoyed playing with friends who I do not get the privilege of seeing in person anymore. 

Kodenames:

This game is perfect for friends who are good at guessing what the other person is thinking. This spy game involves two teams which are each led by a spymaster. The spymaster gives one word clues to their teammate to help them figure out the secret identities of agents. However, the spymaster has to be careful that their clue isn’t misinterpreted because one card is the assassin and if guessed by a teammate, it will immediately end the game. Find the link here: kodenames.io

Spyfall:

This game is also spy themed, and any of your friends who are good at lying will master it. In this game, everyone is at a location but one person, the spy, does not know where they are. Each person gets to take a turn asking each other questions to figure out if they know the location without revealing where they are to the spy. At the end of the round, if the spy is not voted out, they win. The game is hosted online at spyfall.app.

Among Us: 

Similar to Spyfall, Among Us also involves an impostor and is reminiscent of the game Mafia. Taking place in outer space, everyone is a crewmate except for two people who are impostors. While everyone else on the ship is completing tasks, the impostors will be trying to discreetly attack them. Every time a crewmate is attacked, there is an opportunity for people to discuss who they think did it and for people to defend themselves. If at least one impostor survives, they win. You can find the game on the App Store and play on your mobile device.

Scribblio:

This game is perfect for any artistically inclined group of friends. Similar to Pictionary, this game involves picking a word and drawing it. Based on your drawing, other players have to guess what your word is. Whoever guesses the fastest and most accurately wins. Find it here: scribblio.io.

Jackbox Party Pack 3: 

Jackbox is a virtual party pack of games for a maximum of 8 players. While there are multiple party packs, each with different games, Party Pack 3 is said to be the superior pack. This pack includes games such as Quiplash, Trivia Murder Party, Fakin’ It, Guesspionage, and Tee K.O. There is something that can appeal to everyone’s skills, including drawing, a good sense of humor, and an obscure knowledge of trivia. Download any of the party packs here: https://www.jackboxgames.com.

Any of these game options are great ways to connect with your friends and do something fun with them virtually! I hope they make your time spent at home a bit more fulfilling, and also give you a way to take a break from studying and work.

Featured Image by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Gina is a junior studying Communication at the USC School of Annenberg.  She attended five schools but mostly grew up in Piedmont, California. Although she only attended a French bilingual school for two years, she has continued to pursue fluency in the language. She loves playing volleyball, watching movies, and thrift shopping. Never having left the country has fueled her love for learning about other cultures and meeting people from different backgrounds. She is excited to help anyone learning English and to get to know them in the process!