Party game
Encyclopedia
Party games are game
s that some people play as forms of entertainment
at social gatherings. Party games usually involve more than one player. There are a large number and styles of party games available and the one selected will depend on the atmosphere that is sought to be generated. The party game may merely be intended as an ice breaker, or the sole purpose for the party.
's Party Mix
. Currently, the most well known examples are Nintendo
's Mario Party
and Wii
series. These games are usually best played in multiplayer mode. The games are commonly designed as a collection of simple minigames, designed to be intuitive and easy to control. Some of the games (most notably the Mario Party series) are played out on boardgame boards. The success of the Nintendo Wii
in recent years has led to an increasing number of party video games.
Other examples of party video games include:
Large group games can take a variety of forms and formats.
Some are physical games such as Buck buck
.
Some are modeled on the TV game show
format, offering points for teams who can answer questions the fastest. Trivia-type games might have questions posed from the stage and each tabletop writing their answers to be collected and scored. Others may take on some of the qualities of Open Space environments and allow participants to wander in a less structured way.
Group board games can take on the design of small groups of players, seated at tables of 4 to 6 people, who work together on a problem. There can be large numbers of people (and thus many tables). If properly designed, these scalable exercises can be used for small groups (12 to 20 people) as well as very large events (600 people or 100 tables).
Generally, for these larger exercises, multimedia
projectors, large screens and microphones are required for instructions, communications and debriefing.
A search for team building events can turn up millions of links to exercises, companies, and all kinds of offerings ranging from paintball competitions to fire walks to outdoor climbing or whitewater adventures. The impact on actual team building can vary widely - a golf outing for corporate executives does not generally accomplish much in the way of organizational improvement while a business simulation might be directly focused on linking the play of the game to issues for corporate improvement.
Holiday groups use a gift exchange party game such as white elephant gift exchange
or Yankee swap for socializing and sharing gifts. New online party games, based on these holiday games, allow larger groups to gather on the internet to save travel expenses.
Game
A game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements...
s that some people play as forms of entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
at social gatherings. Party games usually involve more than one player. There are a large number and styles of party games available and the one selected will depend on the atmosphere that is sought to be generated. The party game may merely be intended as an ice breaker, or the sole purpose for the party.
Characteristics
The characteristics of party games tend to include:- A game can support a relatively large or undefined number of players, compared to more traditional board gameBoard gameA board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
s or card gameCard gameA card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
s that require a small, set number of players. Some games, especially commercial games, have a set limit based on available equipment; others are limited by other mechanics of the game like time for each turn, while still others have no practical limit.
- Team-based play in party games is common, but not required. Games that divide players into two, three, or four roughly equal teams, such as Cranium, CharadesCharadesCharades or charade is a word guessing game. In the form most played today, it is an acting game in which one player acts out a word or phrase, often by pantomiming similar-sounding words, and the other players guess the word or phrase. The idea is to use physical rather than verbal language to...
or PictionaryPictionaryPictionary is a guessing word game designed by Robert Angel and first published in 1985 by Seattle Games Inc. The game is played with teams with players trying to identify specific words from their teammates' drawings.-Objective:...
tend to allow for larger total numbers of players. By contrast, other games such as Werewolf and How to Host a MurderHow to Host a MurderHow to Host a Murder is a long-running series of boxed murder mystery games published by Decipher, Inc.. Players take on the roles of suspects after a murder has occurred, all attempting to expose which one of them is the murderer. The first, The Watersdown Affair, was published in 1983...
are role-based, with each player being given a character or other role to play in the course of the game. The number of players is limited to the number of roles, but in many such games there are "generic" roles allowing for a high degree of flexibility.
- Cooperation and interaction between players is encouraged. Both team and role-based play generally encourage this social aspect to the game; games that do not encourage this interaction generally make poor party games.
- Multiple ways to play and contribute. For example, in FictionaryFictionaryFictionary, also known as the Dictionary Game or simply Dictionary, is a word game in which players guess the definition of an obscure word....
not everyone needs to create plausible dictionary definitions; humorous submissions are welcome. In Charades, players can actively participate in guessing without taking a turn at acting. Sports often make poor party games as limitations in a player's physical abilities may preclude participation; however, some popular party games like relay races or Red light/Green light involve a significant physical aspect and are especially suitable for groups similar in age and ability.
- Players participate in gameplay frequently, sometimes on an impromptu basis. Games in which each player has their own independent turn generally make poor party games, especially if a turn takes a long time.
- A game should also have entertainment value for spectators. Many party games involve at least some level of humor, whether inherent in the game or introduced by players. In this way, players not taking a turn can still enjoy the gameplay.
- Player elimination is rare. Monopoly makes a poor party game, because bankrupt players must sit out while the remaining players continue to the game's conclusion, which can take several hours. In contrast, no matter how far behind a team is in PictionaryPictionaryPictionary is a guessing word game designed by Robert Angel and first published in 1985 by Seattle Games Inc. The game is played with teams with players trying to identify specific words from their teammates' drawings.-Objective:...
, all players can participate until the end.
- The amount of specialized equipment needed is not dependent on the number of players. Games such as Liar's DiceLiar's diceLiar's dice, or Liar dice, with roots originating in South America and popularized in early Spanish History, was brought to Spain by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro during the 16th century. It became extremely popular in Hong Kong and consequencially China...
make poor party games because each player needs a cup and five dice to start the game. By contrast, YahtzeeYahtzeeYahtzee is a dice game made by Milton Bradley , which was first marketed by game entrepreneur Edwin S. Lowe in 1956. The game is a development of earlier dice games, such as Yacht and Generala. The object of the game is to score the most points by rolling five dice to make certain combinations...
needs only one cup and set of dice regardless of the number of players (the basic Yahtzee game does have other practical limitations).
- The game usually does not involve spending real money as a prerequisite or consequence of playing. Games that require each player to purchase consumable items or specialized equipment are usually poor party games. Casino games are a notable exception; a "casino night" with a token door charge or buy-in for charity or to defray costs can be popular, as can poker tournaments with a similar small buy-in.
Common party games
- 1000 Blank White Cards1000 Blank White Cards1000 Blank White Cards is a party game played with cards in which the deck is created as part of the game. Though it has been played by adults in organized groups in several cities and college campuses, 1000 Blank White Cards is described as well-suited for children in Hoyle's Rules of Games...
- 30 Seconds30 Seconds (game)30 Seconds is a fast-paced general knowledge game. Players generally play in teams of two. One player must guess a word from their teammate's explanation, much like Charades, with the aim to guess as many possible answers in 30 seconds...
- Apples to ApplesApples to ApplesApples to Apples is a party game originally published by Out of the Box Publishing, and now published by Mattel. It is designed for four to ten players and played for 30–60 minutes....
- ArticulateArticulate (board game)Articulate! is a fast talking description board game from Drumond Park, for 4 to 20+ players aged 12 and up. Articulate players describe words from different categories to their team as quickly as possible. The teams move round the board based on the number of words correctly guessed, and...
- Bat a ratBat a ratBat a rat is a simple and cheaply constructed party game or stall at a fête or similar community event. The game is centred around a large wooden board stood up on end, upon which an open-ended metal or plastic tube or section of drainpipe has been mounted vertically...
- BalderdashBalderdashBalderdash is a board game of bluffing and trivia created by Laura Robinson and Paul Toyne. It is based on a classic parlor game called Dictionary.-Gameplay:The game begins by all players rolling a die, with the high roll chosen to be the first "dasher"...
- Bingo
- Beer PongBeer pongBeer pong, also known as Beirut, is a drinking game in which players throw a ping pong ball across a table with the intent of landing the ball in a cup of beer on the other end. The game typically consists of two two-to-four-player teams and multiple cups set up, in triangle formation, on each side...
- BotticelliBotticelli (game)Botticelli is a guessing game which requires the players to have a good knowledge of biographical details of famous people. The game has several variants, but the common theme is that one person or team thinks of a famous person, reveals their initial letter, and then answers yes/no questions to...
- Bobby's WorldBobby's World (game)Bobby's World is a game most commonly played at parties or on long trips. The game is similar to the game Scissors in that at least two players know the secret of the game, while the other players attempt to guess it...
- Buck buckBuck buckBuck buck is a game with several variants. One version of the game is played when "one player climbs another’s back" and the climber guesses "the number of certain objects out of sight." Another version of the game is played with "one group of players [climbing] on the backs of a second group in...
- Black Magic
- Bugs
- Catch PhraseCatch Phrase (game)Catch Phrase is a word guessing party game commercially available from Hasbro.-Game components:Initially, the game consisted of a timer and a plastic disc that displayed one word at a time. Later, stand-alone electronic devices with built-in random lists of word phrases were made available.-Game...
- CelebrityCelebrity (game)Celebrity is a party game where teams play against each other to guess as many celebrity names as possible before time runs out.- Setup :...
- Chain of life
- CharadesCharadesCharades or charade is a word guessing game. In the form most played today, it is an acting game in which one player acts out a word or phrase, often by pantomiming similar-sounding words, and the other players guess the word or phrase. The idea is to use physical rather than verbal language to...
- Consequences
- Contact
- Couch of PowerCouch of PowerCouch of Power is a group game of strategy and memory in which two teams shuffle seats until one team controls every seat on the couch and wins. It is sometimes known as "Parliament" or "Four on the Couch".-Equipment:* Seats arranged in a circle...
- Drinking games
- CraniumCranium (board game)Cranium is a party board game based on Ludo. Whit Alexander and Richard Tait created Cranium in 1998 after Richard spent a weekend playing games with another family and recognized the need for a game involving a variety of skills. He left his job at Microsoft, convincing friend and co-worker Whit...
- FictionaryFictionaryFictionary, also known as the Dictionary Game or simply Dictionary, is a word game in which players guess the definition of an obscure word....
(related to the commercial BalderdashBalderdashBalderdash is a board game of bluffing and trivia created by Laura Robinson and Paul Toyne. It is based on a classic parlor game called Dictionary.-Gameplay:The game begins by all players rolling a die, with the high roll chosen to be the first "dasher"...
) - Gift Trap
- Mafia (also known as Vampire or Werewolf)
- Murder mystery gameMurder mystery gameMurder mystery games are generally party games wherein one of the partygoers is secretly, and unknowingly, playing a murderer, and the other attendees must determine who among them is the criminal...
s - Musical statuesMusical statuesMusical statues is a children's game played at children' birthday parties in the UK. It is similar to Musical Chairs-Rules:Players stand in an area, usually a dance hall and wait for music to start to play . When the music starts the players should dance to the music, the more spirited the better...
- Nerf War
- Never Have I Ever
- Outburst (game)Outburst (game)Outburst is a game originally devised in 1986 by Hersch and Company of Los Angeles and later licensed by Parker Brothers, now a division of Hasbro...
- PictionaryPictionaryPictionary is a guessing word game designed by Robert Angel and first published in 1985 by Seattle Games Inc. The game is played with teams with players trying to identify specific words from their teammates' drawings.-Objective:...
- Piggly Wiggly
- PsychiatristPsychiatrist (game)Psychiatrist is a party game in which all but one player takes the role of a patient suffering from the same affliction, and the remaining player is a psychiatrist who must diagnose them with a series of indirect questions....
- Sargent's Line-up
- ScissorsScissors (game)- Play :The players sit on chairs in a circle, preferably without a table in the way, and have an object such as an empty plastic drink bottle or even a genuine pair of scissors. In turn, each player passes the object to the player on their left stating whether they are passing the scissors open or...
- ScruplesScruples (game)Scruples , is a board game based on ethical dilemmas. Players are given five yellow cards with a moral dilemma such as "You accidentally damage a car in a parking lot. Do you leave a note with your name and phone number?" The player also has one red card, with either YES, NO, or DEPENDS written on it...
- Seven minutes in heavenSeven minutes in heavenSeven minutes in heaven is a teenager's party game first recorded as being played in Cincinnati in the early 1950s. Two people are selected to go into a closet or other dark enclosed space and do whatever they like for seven minutes. Sexual activities are allowed; however kissing and making out are...
- Shout about moviesShout About MoviesShout About Movies, a game by ODVD, is a movie trivia DVD game played entirely on a television. Designed to be played with four or more players, a DVD player and a television is all that is needed. Players split up into two teams, shout out answers, and use the remote to keep score. Whichever...
- Silent footballSilent FootballSilent Football is a group game composed of three major elements: Football, the Quiet Game, and Parliamentary procedure, consisting mainly of the passing of an imaginary football. Silent Football requires little set up: only a quiet space with room enough for three or more players to form a...
- Spin the bottleSpin the bottleSpin the Bottle is a party game in which several players sit/stand/kneel in a circle. One player spins a bottle and must kiss the person to whom the bottle points, who then spins the bottle in turn...
- Strip games
- Squeak Piggy SqueakSqueak Piggy SqueakSqueak Piggy Squeak is a parlour game that is sometimes called Grunt Piggy Grunt, Oink Piggy Oink. It is a variation of Blind Man's Bluff and was popular in the Victorian era....
- TabooTaboo (game)Taboo is a word guessing party game published by Hasbro in 1989. The object of the game is for a player to have his/her partner guess the word on his/her card without using the word itself or five additional words listed on the card....
- The Priest of the ParishThe Priest of the ParishThe Priest of the Parish is a party game for 50-150 people and one chair for each person. The chairs are arranged in rows of equal numbers , half of them facing the other. Each row of chairs is given a number from one to ten...
- The ResistanceThe Resistance (party game)The Resistance is a party game modeling a battle between an informed minority and an uninformed majority. Players are secretly assigned roles; they are either aligned with the "Empire", who know each other; or the "Resistance", who know only the number of Resistance members amongst them...
- Treasure HuntTreasure hunt (game)A treasure hunt is one of many different types of games which can have one or more players who try to find hidden articles, locations or places by using a series of clues. This is a fictional activity; treasure hunting can also be a real life activity. Treasure hunt games may be an indoor or...
- Truth or Dare? and related games such as "Strip or Dare?" and "Drink or Dare?"
- Trivial PursuitTrivial PursuitTrivial Pursuit is a board game in which progress is determined by a player's ability to answer general knowledge and popular culture questions. The game was created in 1979 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, by Canadian Chris Haney, a photo editor for Montreal's The Gazette and Scott Abbott, a sports...
- Twenty QuestionsTwenty QuestionsTwenty Questions is a spoken parlor game which encourages deductive reasoning and creativity. It originated in the United States and escalated in popularity during the late 1940s when it became the format for a successful weekly radio quiz program....
- What?What? (party game)What? is a party game of bluffing and guessing created by David Manga . It is designed for 5 or more players, ages 14 and up. The game can be played by scoring points, playing to a certain number of ‘rounds’ or played loosely as topic cards for conversation starters at office or dinner...
- White Elephant Gift ExchangeWhite elephant gift exchangeA white elephant gift exchange is a popular holiday party game found primarily in North America. It has many variations in both the name and the game play. Generally, white elephant parties need a minimum of six participants. With a larger group, game play may be more protracted...
- Wild Wild West
- Wink
- Zip and bongZip and bongZip and bong is a car or party group-dynamic game which requires little skill and no accessories...
- Zip Zap Zop
- Zoom schwartz profiglianoZoom Schwartz ProfiglianoZoom Schwartz Profigliano is a verbal "tag" drinking game with many variations. One player at a time is active . The active player states a command from a predefined set of words, which typically include "zoom," "schwartz," and "profigliano." The command shifts active status to another player,...
Children's party games
Not all of the above are suitable for children's parties. Traditional children's party games (some of which are also popular with teenagers and adults) include:- Forty fortyForty fortyForty forty, also known as acky, block, and whip, is a children's game combining elements of the games "It" and Hide and seek. One player is "on", or "it", and they must capture the other players by 'spying' them rather than by tagging....
- Blind Man's Bluff
- The Chocolate GameThe chocolate gameThe Chocolate Game is a game often played at children's parties.Sometimes the game is referred to as "Dog's Dinner"-Items needed:* A bar of chocolate* A die* A set of clothes - usually a hat, scarf, and pair of gloves* A knife and fork* Wrapping paper...
- The Farmer's In His DenThe Farmer in the Dell"The Farmer in the Dell" is a singing game, nursery rhyme and children's song. It probably originated in Germany, and was brought to North America by immigrants. From there it spread to many other nations and is popular in a number of languages. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of...
- Hot PotatoHot Potato (game)Hot potato is a party game that involves players gathering in a circle and tossing a small object such as a beanbag or tennis ball to each other while music plays. The player who is holding the "hot potato" when the music stops is out. Play continues until only one player is left. The game is...
- Hunt the ThimbleHunt the ThimbleHunt the Thimble is a party game in which all but one partygoer leaves the room. The person remaining in the room hides a thimble, or other small object, somewhere in the room...
(or slipper, or other object) - Musical ChairsMusical chairsMusical chairs is a game played by a group of people , often in an informal setting purely for entertainment such as a birthday party...
- Oranges and LemonsOranges and Lemons"Oranges and Lemons" is an English nursery rhyme and singing game which refers to the bells of several churches, all within or close to the City of London. It is listed in the Roud Folk Song Index as #3190.-Lyrics:Common modern versions include:...
- Pass the ParcelPass the parcelPass the parcel is a popular British children's party game in which a parcel is passed from person to person around a circle, somewhat similar in its logistics to musical chairs....
- Pin the Tail on the DonkeyPin the Tail on the DonkeyPin the Tail on the Donkey is a game played by groups of children. It is common at birthday parties and other gatherings. A picture of a donkey with a missing tail is tacked to a wall within easy reach of children....
- SardinesSardines (game)Sardines is the name of numerous children's games. All have in common an aspect where the players are required to lie side by side . The two most common versions of sardines are variations of hide-and-seek and knick-knocking....
- PiñataPiñataA piñata is a papier-mâché or other type of container that is decorated, filled with toys and or candy and then broken as part of a ceremony or celebration. Piñatas are most commonly associated with Mexico, but its origins are considered to be in China...
- Poor PussyPoor PussyPoor Pussy is an old party game played by children and adults often in Drama classes or at parties. As it is described:A variation of this game involves the exchange:Person: "Honey, I love you, give me a smile."...
- Wink MurderWink murderWink Murder, Murder Wink, Wink Death or Wink Wink Murder is a party game or parlour game. It is also variously known as Killer, Murder in the Dark and Lonely Ghost...
- Duck Duck Goose
- Hol Horse's Mom
- Sleeping LionsSleeping lionsSleeping Lions is a children's game.All but one or two players are "lions", and lie down on the floor, eyes closed, as if they were sleeping. The remaining one or two players move about the room attempting to encourage the lions to move...
Party video games
The party game has become a genre of video games — arguably dating back to 1983, with StarpathStarpath
Starpath was a U.S. company known for creating the Starpath Supercharger in 1982. The company was founded in 1981 under the name Arcadia Corporation, but it changed its name to Starpath shortly after for trademark reasons...
's Party Mix
Party Mix (video game)
Five games in one, Party Mix is a collection title developed in 1983 by Starpath for the Starpath Supercharger add-on to the Atari 2600 console...
. Currently, the most well known examples are Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
's Mario Party
Mario Party series
is a party video game series featuring Mario series characters in which four human- or computer-controlled characters compete in a board game interspersed with minigames. The series was developed by Hudson Soft and published by Nintendo; the arcade version was developed by Capcom...
and Wii
Wii (series)
The Wii game series is a series of physical simulation video games spawned by the Wii console that are similar in design, especially in their casual gameplay style and Mii integration...
series. These games are usually best played in multiplayer mode. The games are commonly designed as a collection of simple minigames, designed to be intuitive and easy to control. Some of the games (most notably the Mario Party series) are played out on boardgame boards. The success of the Nintendo Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
in recent years has led to an increasing number of party video games.
Other examples of party video games include:
- Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter GamesHubert the Teddy Bear: Winter GamesHubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games is a sports party game developed by Teyon for the WiiWare. It is available in the WiiWare Shop for 500 Wii Points.-Gameplay:...
- Crash BashCrash BashCrash Bash is a party video game published by Sony Computer Entertainment, produced by Universal Interactive Studios and developed by Eurocom for the PlayStation. The game was released in North America on November 6, 2000 and in Europe on December 1, 2000...
- Doraemon WiiDoraemon WiiDoraemon Wii - Secret Tool King Tournament known in Japan as is a video game based on the manga and anime series Doraemon. It was released in Japan on December 6, 2007 for the Nintendo Wii game console.- Gameplay :...
- Everyparty
- Eye Toy
- Fuzion FrenzyFuzion FrenzyFuzion Frenzy is a launch title for the Microsoft Xbox. At its core, Fuzion Frenzy is a four-player party game featuring 45 different mini-games . A demo of the game was included with some other launch titles in the US, including Halo, Munch's Oddysee and Amped...
- Kung Fu ChaosKung Fu ChaosKung Fu Chaos is a 3D third-person platform game developed by Just Add Monsters and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released for the Xbox on February 25, 2003 in the U.S.A.- Plot :...
- Micro MachinesMicro Machines (video games)Micro Machines is a series of computer and video games featuring toy cars, developed by Codemasters and published on several platforms Micro Machines is a series of computer and video games featuring toy cars, developed by Codemasters and published on several platforms Micro Machines is a series of...
- Rayman Raving RabbidsRayman Raving RabbidsRayman Raving Rabbids, known in French as , is a spinoff in the Rayman series released by the French company Ubisoft as a Wii launch title. The game consists of over 70 minigames...
- SingstarSingStarSingStar is a competitive music video game series for PlayStation consoles, developed by London Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. 23 English-language instalments of the series have been released for the PlayStation 2, and six versions for the PlayStation 3 have been released...
- Sonic ShuffleSonic Shuffleis a video game for the Dreamcast and was Sega's answer to the Nintendo party game, Mario Party. The game was developed by Hudson Soft, who also developed Mario Party, and co-developed by Sonic Team.-Overview:...
- WarioWare
- You Don't Know Jack
- Buzz!Buzz!Buzz! is a series of video games originated by Sleepydog Ltd., developed by Relentless Software and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable consoles. They are quiz games that see the players answering trivia questions while...
- Getter Love!!Getter Love!!is a party game for the Nintendo 64 which could be considered a bishōjo game. It's subtitle "Cho Renai Party Game Tanjo" means in English "Very Romantic Party Game in Existence". It was released only in Japan in 1998.-External links:*...
- Mario PartyMario Partyis a party video game for the Nintendo 64 game console, developed by Hudson Soft and published by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on December 14, 1998, in North America on February 8, 1999, and in Europe on March 9, 1999...
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants!SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants!SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants! is a party video game based on the TV series SpongeBob SquarePants. It was released in October 2005 for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and the PC. It was released for the Nintendo DS in Korea in 2007, but its North American release...
- We DareWe DareWe Dare is an adult-oriented party video game by Ubisoft, for the Wii and PlayStation 3 gaming systems. It is marketed as a "sexy, quirky, party game" and involves kissing, striptease and spanking...
Large group games
Large group games are played by a large number of participants and are often used as planned activities in structured environments, especially as educational activities. They are similar to party games, except that large group games are typically planned for larger numbers (perhaps even hundreds) as part of an event.Large group games can take a variety of forms and formats.
Some are physical games such as Buck buck
Buck buck
Buck buck is a game with several variants. One version of the game is played when "one player climbs another’s back" and the climber guesses "the number of certain objects out of sight." Another version of the game is played with "one group of players [climbing] on the backs of a second group in...
.
Some are modeled on the TV game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
format, offering points for teams who can answer questions the fastest. Trivia-type games might have questions posed from the stage and each tabletop writing their answers to be collected and scored. Others may take on some of the qualities of Open Space environments and allow participants to wander in a less structured way.
Group board games can take on the design of small groups of players, seated at tables of 4 to 6 people, who work together on a problem. There can be large numbers of people (and thus many tables). If properly designed, these scalable exercises can be used for small groups (12 to 20 people) as well as very large events (600 people or 100 tables).
Generally, for these larger exercises, multimedia
Multimedia
Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
projectors, large screens and microphones are required for instructions, communications and debriefing.
A search for team building events can turn up millions of links to exercises, companies, and all kinds of offerings ranging from paintball competitions to fire walks to outdoor climbing or whitewater adventures. The impact on actual team building can vary widely - a golf outing for corporate executives does not generally accomplish much in the way of organizational improvement while a business simulation might be directly focused on linking the play of the game to issues for corporate improvement.
Holiday groups use a gift exchange party game such as white elephant gift exchange
White elephant gift exchange
A white elephant gift exchange is a popular holiday party game found primarily in North America. It has many variations in both the name and the game play. Generally, white elephant parties need a minimum of six participants. With a larger group, game play may be more protracted...
or Yankee swap for socializing and sharing gifts. New online party games, based on these holiday games, allow larger groups to gather on the internet to save travel expenses.