Texting Games: 14 Games You Can Play Right in the Chat

Why play when you could just talk?

Regular texting runs on questions: one person asks, the other answers, and ten minutes later you're both out of steam. A game takes that pressure off, because the rules tell you what to write next. And in a game it's easier to say things you wouldn't say outright: about fears, dreams and attraction.

For people who just met

When you barely know each other, you need light games: there's no wrong answer, and the answers tell you about the person right away.

1. Two Truths and a LieWrite three facts about yourself, one of them made up. The other person guesses. First move: "I once got lost in IKEA, I can juggle, I've never been to the ocean. Which one's the lie?"
2. 20 QuestionsOne person thinks of an object, a person or a movie, the other gets 20 yes-or-no questions to guess it. First move: "Got one. Start asking."
3. Would You RatherTwo options, both with a catch, and you have to explain your choice. "Would you rather only ever tell the truth, or never hear the truth from anyone else?"
4. This or That Speed RoundTen pairs in a row, answer without thinking: coffee or tea, mountains or beach, call or voice note. Then talk about the most surprising answers.
5. Top 3Pick a category, like your top three childhood movies, three worst dates or three places you'd love to go, and swap lists.

For any group

1. Word AssociationThe first person writes a word, the next writes the first thing that comes to mind. Twenty turns in, the chain has wandered somewhere very far away, and the funniest part is tracing it back.
2. Emoji StoryOne person sends five or six emoji, the other makes up a story from them. Then you switch.
3. Guess the EmojiEncode a movie, song or book in emoji: almost everyone will get 🧙‍♂️💍🌋, but 🐀👨‍🍳🇫🇷 will stump a few people.

For couples

For couples, games are a way to talk about things you usually keep quiet about. There's only one main rule: you can skip any question you don't want to answer.

1. Never Have I EverWrite "never have I ever..." and whoever has done it tells the story. Start with something harmless: "never have I ever fallen asleep in a movie theater."
2. Truth or DarePick dares that can be done in the chat: send the last photo in your camera roll, record a voice note singing a song, write a four-line poem.
3. Strangers MeetAct out a scene where you're seeing each other for the first time: on a train, in a coffee line, at a stranger's wedding. Each of you writes as your character.
4. Plan the Perfect Day OffTake turns adding one item to your perfect day: breakfast, a walk, something unexpected. At the end you have a ready-made date plan.

For long distance

1. One Line a DayEvery day one of you adds a sentence to a shared story. A month later you've got a whole novella, plus a reason to text each other every morning.
2. Photo Scavenger HuntIn the morning, send each other a list: something red, a funny sign, the best view of the day. In the evening, compare photos.

For more ideas for couples living in different cities, see long-distance relationships.

How to suggest a game without it being weird

• Don't ask "want to play a game?" Just make the first move. "Two truths and a lie, guess: ..." works better than any intro.
• Start with a short five-minute game. If it lands, they'll suggest the next one themselves.
• Answer your own question first. That shows the other person how long and how open an answer you're hoping for.
• If you get silence back, don't push. It's just not the moment. Come back to the game another day.

If the conversation is stuck and even a game doesn't help, check out what to do about awkward silence.

If you have no one to play with

In a group chat on my-idol.ru you can bring together up to seven characters and play any game from this article: Two Truths and a Lie with anime heroes, Word Association with a detective and a villain, or Truth or Dare where everyone has their own personality. Characters remember the rules, keep track of whose turn it is and don't get offended by awkward questions.