Board games are such a great way to connect with people and spend time together, but board gaming while social distancing is difficult if you don’t live with your board gaming friends. Here’s a list of games that can be played remotely, separated out by how many copies of the game are required. Some games can be organized by a host with one copy of the game, others, each group playing would need a copy of the game in order to play well.

Here is more information about other options that Board Game Geek put together.

Only One Copy of Game Required:

Codenames – The host would need to have a camera pointed at the 5×5 grid of word options and the two spymasters would need to be able to see the key card.

Pandemic – The host would need to have the camera pointed at the board, and each person would need a picture of their role. The host would need to move all pieces and draw cards.

Forbidden Island – The host would need to have the camera pointed at the board, and each person would need a picture of their role. The host would need to move all pieces and draw cards.

Forbidden Desert – The host would need to have the camera pointed at the board, and each person would need a picture of their role. The host would need to move all pieces and draw cards.

7 Wonders Duel – The host would need to have a camera pointed at the board, and move cards for the other player.

Just One – The guesser would need to avert their eyes while the rest of the group are shown the card for that round. The players (except the guesser) would then write their word down and reveal it to the camera. Duplicates would be removed, and then the guesser would be able to uncover their eyes and begin guessing.

Mysterium – The host would need to be the ghost player – the one who guides the game. They would need to put the camera on cards available and then as they’re assigning cards to each player, they would need to either take a picture of the cards and send it to a group chat identifying who is to receive each card, or hold each card up to the camera so people can see. This one may be difficult as the cards are very detailed, so it would be up to the ghost to not pick anything too tiny to focus on.

Splendor – The host would need a camera set up on the cards available to purchase. Each person at home would need a way to keep track of what gems and cards they own, unless the host can find a way to get all of that on the screen. The host would need to move the pieces around.

Carcassonne – The host would need a camera focused on the developing board. The host would need to draw tiles for each player and show the player what was drawn. Then the player can direct the host where they want the tile placed and where their meeple should go.

Spyfall – The host would need a camera focused on the board. Players would close their eyes and one at a time be revealed their card. Or the host could message each person their card, but it becomes more likely that the host would know who everyone is that way.

Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger – The host would need to read the cards aloud.

Choose Your Own Adventure: War with the Evil Power Master – The host would need to read the cards aloud.

That’s Pretty Clever – Those without a copy of the game would need a picture/print out of the player sheets and some dice.

Dead of Winter – The person running the game would have to carefully text pictures of cards picked up to each person without seeing them, or the group would have to agree to play as cooperatively as possible.

Takenoko – The host would need to move everyone around the board.

Dungeons & Dragons – This along with many other role playing games can be played remotely with the host or DM moving players where they need to be.

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective – The host would need to read all of the cards, but other play would continue as normal.

Wavelength – Slightly tricky to show the clue giver the clue, but playable after that.

Only One Copy of Game Required, Plus a Download for each Player:

Corinth – Those without a copy of the game would need a picture/print out of the player sheets and some dice. (From BGG) Focus the host’s camera on the harbor. The rest plays normally. Players need to make sure they make it clear when they complete a public section.

Cartographers – (from BGG) Focus the host’s camera on the play-space. As the host draws the explore cards they hold them close to camera. House rule Ambush/monster cards: hold up your map and allow the other players to pick where you add them.

Each Group Needs a Copy of the Game:

Sagrada – Focus the host’s camera on the play space. Each person playing remotely would select from the dice available but pull from their own collection and have the host remove those dice from play.

Azul – Focus the host’s camera on the play space. Each person playing remotely would need to match the tiles pulled each round (separating tiles by color before the game might be helpful). Any tiles pulled by other players would just be pushed aside.

Quacks of Quedlinburg – One person would need to have a camera on the game. All other play would continue as normal with people directing the host to move things around.

Apples to Apples – The person whose turn it is to choose their favorite would need to close their eyes while another person reads all of the options off.

Boss Monster – Each person would build their own dungeon, and one person would have a camera pointed on the upcoming heroes so that everyone is aware.
Superfight – Before beginning each round, the fighters would need to be announced.

Barenpark – Focus the host’s camera on the tile market. Any tiles pulled by other players would be pushed aside.

The Taverns of Tiefenthal – A camera would need to be on the cards available for purchase as well as the monastery board. During the drafting sequence, each person would need to indicate in some way which dice are being passed. Or, the drafting sequence could be dropped for remote play.

Century: Spice Road – A camera would need to be on the cards available for purchase. The host would need to move cards after each purchase.

Patchwork – Focus the host’s camera on the tile market. Any tiles pulled by other players would be pushed aside.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game – Both players need a copy of the scenario they are playing. Both players need to manage the game state (locations, clues, investigator movement) but only one person manages the active encounter deck and any other special decks involved in the scenario.

Marvel Champions: The Card Game – Each player would need their own hero deck.

KeyForge – Each player would need their own deck.

Magic/Yugioh/Pokemon/L5R etc – Each player would need their own deck.

Special thanks to Erica Sanders at Funagain Games for letting us steal most of this list.

If you have questions, comments, additions to this list or complaints about this list, contact us:
staff@7thDimensionGames.com
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