How many people can play?

It depends on the game: from 2 to 20 players. For a big group, describing words in teams works best; for a small one, associations on a scale or spy.

Do these games work offline?

No. Every phone needs internet, because the game connects players through a server. Regular mobile data or Wi-Fi is enough.

Can we play on one TV?

The games are designed so everyone plays on their own phone, because some information is secret, like the spy’s card. The TV comes in handy for a video call with those who are far away, though.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. The games are free, run in the browser and don’t need an account.

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Guide

How to host a New Year’s Eve party with games

New Year’s Eve means a few hours of waiting for midnight. At first the conversation flows on its own, but around ten it often starts to fade and someone reaches for their phone. You can turn that to your advantage: since everyone has a phone in hand anyway, put it to use for a game you play together.

Browser games don’t need cards, a board or any app to install. One person creates a room and sends the link, and everyone else joins in seconds. Below you’ll find a plan for the whole evening: from the warm-up to the last round before the fireworks.

Before the guests arrive

All you need is charged phones and internet. Leave a charger or power bank somewhere easy to spot and write the wi-fi password on a piece of paper. The host can create the room in advance and send the link to the group chat so everyone has it handy.

Count how many people will play and pick games that suit that number. Most of the ones below work from 3–4 players, and describing words in teams works even with twenty.

Warm-up: when not everyone knows each other

Start with a game where nobody has to show off. In associations on a scale, the whole group sets one shared slider and talks over where the target is, so the conversation gets going right away. In the “which of us is most likely to…” vote, everyone taps in secret and the results appear all at once, which means plenty of laughs and good stories to tell.

The main game of the night

Once everyone’s chatting, it’s time for teams. Describing words without saying the forbidden words is a 30–60 minute game where speed and creativity count, and a guard from the other team watches every word. If your crew likes to bluff, play spy: everyone knows the location except one person, and rounds last only a few minutes.

Just before midnight

The last half hour is for short games that are easy to pause for the countdown. A round of spy can take 5 minutes, and when you give one-word clues together, you all play against the deck, so nobody loses in the last moments of the year. Start the last round around 11:40 pm so you have time to take your glasses out to the balcony.

A nice way to see the year out is a short round of the vote with 5 questions: whoever gets the most votes takes that title with them into the new year.

When some of the family is far away

Grandma in another city or friends abroad can play too. Start a video call on the TV or a laptop, and everyone opens the same room on their own phone. The game doesn’t carry sound, so you talk through a messaging app and see the game on your phones. In the invite panel you’ll find instructions for quickly starting a group call.

New Year’s Eve with kids

Kids often make it to midnight only because they’re having fun. Describing words has a separate kids’ level, so the youngest play on the same team as the adults on equal terms. Giving one-word clues together has a family level, and the vote has a family deck. For teens aged 12 and up, truth or dare with the “Laid-back” deck works well, and you can skip any card in it.

Quick checklist

Charged phones, with a charger or power bank handy.
Wi-fi password written down where everyone can see it.
Room created in advance, link sent to the group chat.
A warm-up game, a main game and a short game before midnight.
A video call for those who are far away.
Last round started around 11:40 pm.

Common questions

How many people can play?: It depends on the game: from 2 to 20 players. For a big group, describing words in teams works best; for a small one, associations on a scale or spy.
Do these games work offline?: No. Every phone needs internet, because the game connects players through a server. Regular mobile data or Wi-Fi is enough.
Can we play on one TV?: The games are designed so everyone plays on their own phone, because some information is secret, like the spy’s card. The TV comes in handy for a video call with those who are far away, though.
How much does it cost?: Nothing. The games are free, run in the browser and don’t need an account.

See all games for this occasion