So. Halloween is coming up, and it’s a pretty good excuse to get a few friends together for a game night.
Maybe your group already plays Magic and has some appropriately spooky decks. Maybe you’d rather spend the evening drawing badly and trying to guess what everyone else drew.
There are plenty of ways to work a theme into games you already enjoy. Before you get too far into planning, though, it’s worth checking what the people coming actually want to do (and how much preparation you want to take on).
Here are a few things to think about.
- Find out what kind of spooky everyone wants.
For some people, Halloween means costumes, candy, and a few decorations. For others, it’s a chance to get into something genuinely scary. Both can be fun, but it helps to know which evening people are expecting.
Ask ahead of time, and give people a way to mention anything they’d rather avoid without having to explain it to the whole group. Something as simple as “Are we thinking silly Halloween games, or does everyone want something a little more unsettling?” gives you a place to start.
Also, make it clear whether costumes are optional. Someone who wants to come hang out shouldn’t have to figure out an outfit first.
If you have newer players coming, consider starting with something short that you can explain as you go. A Halloween drawing or guessing game gives people a chance to settle in before you bring out anything more involved.
Also: just because your favorite game might be Magic or D&D… it doesn’t have to be the focus for the night.
…But if they’re up for it? Yeah. You can easily turn your nerdy hobby into something spooky-season-appropriate.
- Start with something familiar.
You don’t need to buy another game for this. If your group plays Magic, you could suggest a night with a Halloween theme using cards people already own. Zombies, vampires, ghosts, etc. Just talk about deck strength beforehand, as you would for any other casual game. The theme won’t fix a mismatch.
For a drawing or guessing game, put together some seasonal prompts. Pumpkins, ghosts, and haunted houses are easy starting points. A vampire at the dentist gives everyone a little more to figure out.
If you’re running a roleplaying game, a missing scarecrow or a suspicious village festival can give your usual adventure a seasonal turn.
Keep the rules familiar where you can, especially if someone is still learning. There’s already enough to keep track of. Let the game be the focus and the theme can just be a nice backdrop added for ambience.
- Leave yourself room to enjoy it, too.
Pick a main game and a short backup, check the player counts, and let people know roughly when you’ll start and finish. If you’ve got two hours, remember that some of that time will go to arrivals, explanations, and probably a snack break.
A few decorations and a playlist can help, but keep enough light to read the cards and the music low enough to hear each other.
And let people take breaks. Someone might want to sit out a round or just watch for a while, particularly if they’re new to the group. Check in with them, introduce them to people, and leave them room to decide how involved they want to be.
That applies to the host, too. If preparing elaborate food or custom rules means you’ll be worn out before anyone arrives, you can skip those parts. You’re allowed to enjoy the evening you invited everyone to.
Are you planning anything for Halloween? What would your group want to play?