Party games for Zoom and video calls
You are on a call, nobody wants to just sit there. Here is what actually works when everyone is on a different screen.
Why most party games fall apart on a video call
Board games need a table. Jackbox needs a TV everyone can see. Drawing games get weird when you are trying to share a screen and talk at the same time. A good video call game has to work on separate devices, keep everyone's attention without a shared screen, and be loud enough that the call stays alive between turns.
Voice games solve all three. Each player is on their own phone or laptop, the action goes through the microphone, and the reactions are instant because everyone is still on the call.
How MimicBox works on a call
One person creates a room and drops the code in the group chat. Everyone opens the link on their own device while staying on the Zoom, FaceTime or Meet call. The game plays a meme sound to all players at the same time. Then everyone records their imitation in the same short window. The takes play back one by one, and you hear each person's attempt through your headphones while watching their face on the call. That moment, when someone confidently butchers the Wilhelm scream and you can see them realizing it, is why the game works on video.
After the playback, everyone votes for the best impression. The winner gets 100 points plus a similarity bonus scored by the game. Five rounds, ten minutes, then you can run it again with a different sound pack.
Setup tips that actually matter
- Wear headphones. Without them, your microphone picks up the call audio and the game sound leaks into your recording. Earbuds are enough.
- Do not mute yourself on the call during the recording phase. The game captures from the browser, not from Zoom, so your call mic is separate. Keep it open so people hear you struggling.
- If someone has bad Wi-Fi, they can still play. The game only sends a short recording per round, not a video stream. It handles spotty connections better than screen sharing.
- Start with the meme sounds pack. Everyone knows the sounds, and the first round usually breaks the ice faster than any icebreaker slide.
Works on any call app
Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, Discord, Teams, WhatsApp video, Messenger. The game runs in a browser tab next to the call. Players do not need to install anything or create an account. Each person just needs a browser with a microphone and the four letter room code.
On FaceTime with iPhones, have everyone open the link in Safari and keep FaceTime running in the background. The browser will ask for microphone access once. On Android, Chrome handles it the same way.
Other games that work on calls
- MimicBox with video game sounds or movie quotes for a themed round.
- Trivia quizzes where someone screen-shares the questions.
- Gartic Phone for drawing and guessing.
- Word association or "20 questions" with no tools at all.
Start a round right now
Open the room page, create a room, pick a pack, and paste the code in your call chat. Five rounds take under ten minutes. Check the rules if you want the scoring details first, or just jump in, the game explains itself.
FAQ
Do I need to share my screen?
No. Each player opens MimicBox on their own device. The game syncs everyone automatically through the room code.
Can I play on FaceTime and Safari at the same time?
Yes. Open the MimicBox link in Safari, allow the microphone, then switch back to FaceTime. Safari keeps the game running in the background.
Does it work with more than 6 people on the call?
The game room holds 2 to 6 players. If you have more people on the call, the extras can watch and react while 6 people play, or split into two rooms.