Introduction Setting the Scene
One of the best ways to motivate and get everyone ready to play a board game over Facetime is to create a sense of excitement. Set up an area where everyone can spread out and have their own space in order to play. Just like you would in a physical setting, make sure that the playing surface is comfortable for everyone involved and give each player enough room so they are not crowded together.
Additionally, it can be helpful to provide some snacks or drinks while you play so that everybody feels welcome and gets into the spirit of the game. This helps ensure that any distractions or hesitations fade away as every settles in and gets ready for your virtual round of fun. Preparing a few icebreakers or warm-up activities can be useful when setting up for serious concentration ahead, such as a card game or trivia challenge. When it comes time for the main game, simple guidelines and rules can help remind each player what the goal is and how best to meet it. For added flavor, come up with creative strategies or strategies accordingly with the situation (for instance, if you’re playing with an international group you may need more time allotted for communication purposes). Ensuring everybody understands what’s going on will help keep players engaged during gameplay. And remember ” have fun!
Gathering the Required Materials
When playing board games over Facetime, you will need several materials. Most importantly, you’ll need the physical game itself, preferably with both players having a set of the game components/pieces. These could include dice, cards, markers or other pieces depending on the game. Additionally you’ll both need to read a copy (paper or digital) of the rules so that both players are familiar with how to play the game. Alternatively, if only one player owns a physical copy of the board game then they will have to explain to their opponent what all the pieces do and how it plays. Both players should have video-calling software on their device in order for them to call each other remotely. This could be Facetime, Skype or any other free video chatting service that provide users with camera access.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. To begin, one of the players will need to download a supported app that allows users to play board games over Facetime. Some apps, such as Chess by Post, are specifically made for playing on a mobile device over any video chat platform that supports it. Other apps can be tweaked to work over Facetime using screen-sharing technology. Whichever game you choose, install and open the app and then invite your friend via text or email to join.
2. When your friend accepts the invitation and joins the game, you can both follow the onboarding and take turns setting up an account and preparing the game board exactly as you normally would if playing in person. After everything is ready on both ends, select “Start Game” on your screens simultaneously when prompted by the app.
3. As you take turns throughout the game, each player should tap or click their pieces or cards before making their move so that both players see clearly who is about to make a move at all times and which piece is being moved where during each turn. Each player can also press “Confirm Move” when they have made their turn in order for it to be officially registered within the app/game board itself and allow it carry on without confusion or missed turns.
4. Throughout the entire interaction between players, remember to communicate with each other throughout the course of your play! Even though it isn’t quite like playing board games together in person due to distance constraints, having verbal conversations about decisions made or strategies used can help bridge that gap by creating an atmosphere almost identical to what could be accomplished over a real tabletop setup.
Tips and Tricks
1. Start with a high-energy game – Selecting a board game that is already engaging will help keep everyone’s interest, such as a game of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit. Keep it fast-paced, and thus create an atmosphere of light competition from the start.
2. Use creative strategies to mimic reality – Since you are not able to use physical pieces when playing online, get creative with how you can imitate reality. Try to match virtual pieces with their real counterparts, or use props and videos that look like the board game in action!
3. Include “timer challenges” or mini competitions – Adding in timed components or mini challenges between rounds can help add an element of suspense as well as a sense of urgency! The challenge can be anything from an extra round of trivia, to 10 minutes drawing something from the last turn – these elements will keep players on their toes and provide some excitement during the game session.
4. Agree on an end time for each game ” Pre-decide on when the next ‘end time’ for each game should be and adhere closely to it. This will help ensure everyone gets an adequate amount of playtime during each session, as well as motivate consistency among players that would work their way to the finish line at their own pace!
5. Make sure everyone is engaged – Keeping track of who is and isn’t participating throughout each round is key in keeping facetime games enjoyable for all. Ask questions frequently to ensure everyone stays involved and has fun during each phase of gameplay by contributing ideas and solutions!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
When playing a board game over Facetime, it is important to be aware of any potential technical difficulties or other obstacles that may arise. If the video quality is low or you are experiencing choppy audio during a Facetime game, try restarting your device, checking connection strength, only having one person use their microphone while everyone shares the same screen, and making sure all players have enabled the necessary settings in their app preferences.
If you run into non-technical issues during your Facetime game, such as someone missing their turn or providing incorrect information, remind everyone of the rules at the start of each round. Be upfront about any house rules that should be followed and explain why each rule exists; this way, players will feel comfortable following them for the duration of the game. Additionally, it can be beneficial to take notes throughout play to ensure all facts are accurate and everyone is keeping up with turns. Providing real-time support through video chat will make gameplay more enjoyable for everyone!
Conclusion Going Beyond the Basics
By taking the time to set up your devices and follow some basic guidelines, you and your friends can have a great time together playing a board game over Facetime. Now take it to the next level. You can further increase the fun and competitiveness by talking through strategy before or during the game or even make a tournament system out of it! During each game, you could discuss ideas on how to improve aspects like turns, rules or difficulty levels. For example, one person could offer suggestions to another on how they might play differently in order to get ahead of the competition. You can also make it even more enjoyable by having different teams compete against each other instead of individual players. If you have multiple people playing at once, you can setup team challenges for each group and create your own custom point system that reflects victory conditions for each task. By doing this, everyone competing would be able to come away with some form of victory regardless of their personal skill set or success. With all these tips and more, playing a board game over Facetime can be an entertaining and competitive experience for all participants!
I love playing all kinds of games – from classics like Monopoly to modern favourites like Ticket to Ride.
I created this blog as a way to share my love of board games with others, and provide information on the latest releases and news in the industry.
