Technically Social

TUESDAY MARCH 24 2020 PAGE 2 Coronavirus guide plus sign. That will gener- ate a link that you can copy and paste and email them. (This only works with one other player at a time.) Games on lati- mes.com are free, so the other player does not need to be a subscriber. Game night idea: Social games Obviously, if you and your friends are already into “Overwatch” and “Fortnite,” you don’t need us to tell you what to do. Have fun. If you and your friend both have a Nintendo Switch, you can get clas- sics such as “Mario Kart” and play together. If you want to play with a group, the Jackbox Party Pack is a crowd-pleaser perfectly suited to social isolation. Six versions of the Jackbox Party Pack have been released, each with a different variety of trivia, drawing and word games. The packs are $12.49 to $29.99 and available on multiple platforms including Steam, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and An- DREAMSTIME TNS droid TV. If you’re on a If you’ve got a webcam and an internet connection, you can still host dinner parties, happy hours, game nights, karaoke sessions and more. computer, Steam is probably the easiest way to go and free to download. (You still have to pay for BY JESSICA ROY AND Jackbox though.) DORANY PINEDA Everyone plays using Los Angeles Times TECHNICALLY SOCIAL their phone as a controll- Staying socially isolated er, so you can all be in the doesn’t mean you have to same room or on opposite cancel your social plans. sides of the planet. Some You just need to adjust The ultimate guide to hanging out favorites include Fibbage, them a bit. where you try to fool other If you’ve got a webcam players by filling in the and an internet connec- virtually with your friends blanks on noteworthy new tion, you can still host stories; Quiplash, where dinner parties, happy you compete head-to- hours, game nights, ka- easier to set up the call if to allow this if you’ve All your favorite ka- same time. Think of it as head to come up with the raoke sessions and more. you’re on a laptop or desk- never done it before, and raoke haunts are closed, the modern version of funniest answers; and We’ve got some technical top computer, but other then you might have to but that doesn’t mean the chess by mail. (Incidental- Trivia Murder Party, advice for ways to get set participants don’t have to restart the Hangout.) singing has to stop. Gather ly, this would also work if which is like if the classic up and share your screen be. Add your friend’s Unlike on Skype, if you your friends for some you and a friend both “You Don’t Know Jack” — and then some ideas for Skype contact name. Then are sharing your screen in karaoke through Google have a chessboard.) This trivia game was hosted by what to do. click on their name from Google Hangouts, other Hangouts or Skype. is easiest with games that the guy from “Saw.” (It’s Before you begin, know your contacts list before participants will not be Watch party only require dice rolls. much funnier than it to expect some technical clicking the camera but- able to see video of your Social distancing Something where you’d sounds.) The sophisti- difficulties. Try to have a ton in the upper-right face at the same time, so doesn’t mean you have to all have to dig the same cation level and occasion- sense of humor about the corner to start the video this option is less prefer- Netflix and chill alone. unique card out of a pile al adult humor of most of whole thing. Most of us call. able if you want to be in The streaming service has to keep things moving will the Jackbox games make aren’t video-conferencing To share what’s on your on the “It’s just like game a Google Chrome exten- be too slow. them suited to an older pros. (Here’s some advice screen, hover your mouse night in real life” feeling. sion called Netflix Party Something like Cards crowd — teenagers and about how to set up your in the video and click the (For more information, where friends can watch Against Humanity or Ap- up. laptop and physical space icon that looks like two visit hangouts.goo- movies together and share ples to Apples could work How to set it up: Launch for an optimal video expe- stacked squares on the gle.com.) their reactions through a too if you all have it. One Jackbox from whatever rience.) It’s likely going to bottom right of the video Zoom. Zoom allows free chat room. All you need is player would hold up the platform you’re using. take a little trial and error call screen and click the one-on-one video meet- Google Chrome browser, prompt card, and every- Start a new game of to get set up the first time. “Share screen” button. (If ings for as long as you an extension and a Netflix one would pick an answer whichever you want to Once you’re ready to go, you’ve never done this want or for three or more account. You can do the card from their hand. play. Set up a video con- here’s how to get started. before, your computer people for up to 40 min- same on Facebook. Then players would hold ference and share your may prompt you to adjust utes with their free plan. Book club up their answers to the screen. Other players can GETTING SET UP your system preferences, (Probably a little short for This one is simple: pick camera for the judge to be on video or voice-only, If you want to see or relaunch Skype and start game night.) The next tier a book to read with loved decide. You lose the ano- as long as they can see hear your friends, here are the call again.) You will be at $14.99 a month lets you ones and video call each nymity of the regular your screen and have a your options. prompted to click “Start set up video calls for up to other to chat about it. version of these games, phone or tablet on which Phone call. You can al- sharing” on a button at 100 participants and for Libraries in L.A. County but these are challenging to play. No one else needs ways call people and use the bottom of the screen up to 24 hours long. are closed through the times. And we all have to to download or buy any- speakerphone. If you have one more time. You and (Probably long enough for end of the month, but you make adjustments. thing to join in. After you friends or relatives who your group of friends will game night.) can still get ebooks online With word games like start the game, go to jack- don’t feel confident set- be able to see each other’s Download the Zoom through the Libby app if Scattergories, only one box.tv and you’ll be ting up a webcam, hearing videos at the top of the application at zoom.us, you have a library card. person needs to own the prompted to enter the their voice is better than shared screen. (For more open it from your desktop This is also a great oppor- game. Everyone else just room code (you’ll see it on nothing. information, visit and click “Launch meet- tunity to support inde- needs a pen and paper. your screen) and your FaceTime. If you both skype.com.) ing.” Click “Invite partici- pendent bookstores in The host can share his, name. You, as the host, have Apple devices, you Google Hangouts. If you pants” and either email your area by buying your her or their screen with will have the power to can FaceTime. You can have Gmail, that means them or add them from book-club picks online. the categories listed start the game once every- set it up as a one-to-one you already have a Google your Zoom contacts. After Many are offering free or somewhere like a Google one is ready. video call or set up a account you can use to set everyone has joined, you reduced shipping costs Doc. The host rolls the Game night idea: Tab- Group FaceTime with up up Hangouts for free. Go can share your screen by and curbside pickup. If dice to decide the letter, letop RPGs to 32 people. (Group Fac- to hangouts.google.com clicking the green “Share your group doesn’t have opens the categories There has truly never eTime requires newer and click “Start a new screen” button in the the attention span for a screen so everyone can been a better time to get devices and an updated hangout.” You can invite bottom center of the vi- whole book — or if you see them, sets the timer into Dungeons and Drag- iOS; check this site for full other people by their deo. Participants will be want to get together soon- and then you’re off. ons. The game master requirements.) If your Gmail addresses or by able to see your face in a er — you can all decide to Game night idea: App needs a copy of the rules hands are going to be emailing them a link.

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