How to Plan the Ultimate Games Night with Friends

Everyone loves a home game night; it’s the great leveller. Whether you prefer classic board games, card games, console-based titles, or charades, gathering everyone together to play and compete is always going to be a guaranteed win.  

The concept is relatively simple: assemble a group of people, usually in somebody’s home, to play games, eat snacks, chat and laugh. However, if you’ve ever tried to organise a game night, you’ll know that there are quite a few moving parts which need planning before you can begin. 

Luckily for you, we’ve put together a fail-safe guide to hosting your very own game night, whether at home or online. Read on to learn the best tips and tricks for a legendary event. 

Location 

First of all, you’ll need to decide where the game night will take place. This is somewhat dictated by the location of group members and which games you’d like to play. If everyone lives in the same city, then you can happily arrange for them all to gather at your house at a time which suits people’s schedules. If you want to make a regular thing of it, then perhaps hosting responsibilities could rotate on a weekly or monthly basis. 

Of course, the other option is to host a games night online. Many console, browser based, and even mobile games now have a multiplayer option so you can easily connect with friends over the internet. For example, you could launch a campaign in Call of Duty, set up a poker home game using an online platform, or utilise an app like Words with Friends. 

Game of Choice 

Choosing which game or games you’ll play together is somewhat dictated by logistics, but it’s also down to personal choice. Many friend groups have shared interests, and, if this is you, then it might be best to stick to something you know you all like. If you’ve bonded over your shared love of Forza, then racing games are always guaranteed to create a good time. 

Alternatively, perhaps gaming is just an excuse to get together and bond. In this case, you might choose to play something which encourages you to really get to know your friends on a deeper level. In the poker world, a ‘tell’ is an action or type of behaviour which reveals your emotional state and intentions to your opponents. By playing poker or another competitive card game with friends, you’ll get to know them in a whole new light. Even the coolest cucumbers will have a tell, although it could just be touching their face a bit too often or avoiding eye contact. 

Theme 

Whether playing in the same room or remotely, your games night can only be improved by having a theme. You could choose anything, from Las Vegas glamour to your favourite video game characters to 90s throwback or 70s disco. Just make sure you go all out with the snacks, drinks, and dress code, even when you’re miles apart and in your own homes. 

If you’re on hosting duties, then you are responsible for communicating and enforcing the theme. Remember to have fun with it – much of the time, a silly theme can loosen everyone up, get them excited and in the mood to have fun before they’ve even arrived. Dressing up, especially, creates a group mentality which will foster a more relaxed atmosphere and make sure your game night goes off with a bang. 

Prizes 

Another way to take your game night to the next level, and ensure that everyone plays to win, is to offer prizes. This could be something as simple as the last slice of pizza or as elaborate as literally being crowned the triumphant champion at the end of the night. But don’t just focus on whoever emerges victorious – offer prizes for the ultimate loser, too, as well as silliest move, most creative death or most surprising word played, depending on your game of choice. It might surprise you just how motivated your friends can be when promised a reward at the end, as well as bragging rights!