How Extra Lifers Can Socially Distance and Gather Virtually
Prior to 2020, it was common for Extra Lifers in local cities to gather for IRL game nights, often at their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. However, social distancing has led this community to focus primarily on virtual hang sessions. Here’s some common and successful ways that we’re seeing Extra Lifers gather virtually.
Play Jackbox Games on a Zoom Call
Playing video games socially is sometimes intimidating for people. That’s why we love Jackbox Games‘ approach to virtual gathering. Jackbox Games operate like common party games like Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit and Balderdash, so they’re not intimidating to learn. In May, when Azzyland gathered her fellow YouTube influencers together to fundraise over $26,000 USD for SickKids in Toronto, Jackbox Games offered the perfect technology to promote extremely accessible gaming for a group who aren’t die-hard gamers.
Looking for something to do? Azzyland & Friends are playing games (including Jackbox!) and raising money for @ExtraLife4Kids. Tune in at 3 PM ET! #ForTheKids
➡️ https://t.co/KhYR2Swmsk
Donate ➡️ https://t.co/xuiNqDVt5C pic.twitter.com/HGRoRiuEXv— Jackbox Games (@jackboxgames) May 23, 2020
Check out that stream for inspiration for how you can coordinate a low-key Jackbox game night within your Extra Life community:
Gather Weekly for Streamed Game Nights
Gather on our Discord channel to connect with fellow Extra Lifers and hop into streamed game nights. If it’s important to you to connect with gamers who live near you, check out our regional channels in the “find your local family” section of our Discord server.
Meet up on Discord for Movie Nights
Back when we hosted Extra Life United: Online Edition, we made a point to host a movie night on our Discord, showing various films for Extra Lifers to opt into. Even if you’re alone in your house, it helps to feel like other people are watching along with you. Up to 50 people may join a Go Live stream on Discord to watch the film. We’re even seeing some folks do Saturday morning cartoons from the 1990’s on Discord!
An update from us regarding COVID-19: pic.twitter.com/gKUXvvsqrs
— Discord (@discord) March 11, 2020
Minecraft Servers Make a Comeback
We love Minecraft’s power to keep coming around. Following the Covid pandemic’s spread, we’ve seen Minecraft servers surge in popularity again. Gamers are coming in and out of them building their map; sometimes chatting in Discord along the way.
Don’t forget to sign up for Extra Life to help sick and injured kids in hospitals around the US and Canada by playing games!