Life is hectic, so there’s nothing better than, after a long week of work, chores and the usual life stuff, you can get together with your pals and have a fun, low-key and relaxed gaming session, but how exactly do you make that happen?
- Embrace the Zen of Low-Key Competition
If you are planning on ghosting a games night that is relaxing, then the first thing you need to is let go of your ego and your need to always be the best at what you’re playing whether it be Tetris or Red Dead. sure, it’s fine to keep some of the competitive spirit alive, because your gaming sessions wouldn’t be as exciting without it, but don’t be a jerk about it. Forget trying to beat your best record or playing like an esports champ, and just enjoy benign with your friends, having fun, no pressure. Oh, and forget loading up the most rage-inducing shooters where your friends spawn-camp each other into oblivion. Instead, focus on more casual or cooperative titles that invite players of all skill levels to join in without feeling overshadowed. The aim is to evoke a sense of comfortable camaraderie, where everyone has a good time no matter their gaming abilities.
- Set the Mood: Lighting, Music, and Pillows Galore
You wouldn’t hold a spa day in a grey, fluorescent-lit room that resembles a hospital corridor, would you? The same principle applies here. To ensure your gaming session exudes calmness, you’ll need to engineer the right atmosphere. Ditch the overhead lights that make you feel like you’re sitting an exam and opt for lamps, fairy lights, or even LED strips if you’re feeling a bit fancy. Colours in the warmer spectrum (red, orange, yellow) can evoke a soothing, almost cocoon-like effect, but feel free to tinker until you find what’s pleasing on the eye.
Background music isn’t mandatory, but if you’ve got a well-curated lo-fi or gentle jazz playlist on standby, it can set the tone before the controllers are even turned on. When in doubt, a relaxed instrumental mix streaming softly in the background can keep the energy comfortable without drowning out in-game sound effects. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of pillows and bean bags. If your friends feel like they’re sinking into a cloud, they’re more likely to focus on the friendly banter, not their sore backs.
- Curate Your Gaming Menu
Now for the fun part: choosing which games to play. For a relaxing session, variety is key. Everyone has that one friend who refuses to play anything but sports titles, another who’s obsessed with puzzle games, and someone else whose only exposure to gaming is the time they accidentally tapped on Candy Crush. Cater to all tastes—your friend group will thank you.
- Co-op Quests: If you fancy something fantasy-esque, try a co-operative dungeon crawler or an open-world survival game where you can build, craft, and fend off baddies together at your own pace.
- Light-hearted Competitions: Party games are an obvious choice. Think along the lines of Mario Kart or racing games with comedic elements. They’re quick, easy to pick up, and the perfect recipe for harmless trash-talk.
- Puzzle Perfection: For that friend who thrives on mental gymnastics, throw in a puzzle or strategy game. Watching everyone wrack their brains over a tricky puzzle is often more entertaining than you’d expect, especially once you add a bit of group brainstorming.
- Chilled Explorations: Don’t overlook the charm of “walking simulators” or laid-back exploration games. Games like Flower or Journey can create a strangely meditative experience that might surprise the cynics in your group.
The secret sauce here is ensuring no one feels locked out. If you suspect a certain friend might be bored out of their skull by game A, switch to game B before frustration sets in. Variety is the spice of a relaxed life.
- Snacking at Its Finest—Without Breaking the Bank
A gaming sesh is essentially incomplete without snacks, but let’s aim to elevate the munchies beyond the default packet of stale salted crisps. That doesn’t mean you have to blow your entire month’s salary on gourmet nibbles—simply choose easy, fun, and somewhat crowd-pleasing bites.
- DIY Snack Platters: Lay out bowls of tortilla chips, hummus, olives, cheese cubes, grapes—heck, chuck in some carrot sticks if you’re feeling moderately healthy. The act of “build-your-own-plate” is interactive and ensures everyone gets exactly what they like.
- Hot Food (If You Dare): If you’re confident you won’t burn your kitchen down, a batch of homemade pizza slices or fresh, oven-baked sausage rolls can immediately earn you the title of “Host Extraordinaire.” Just keep it simple: anything that requires more than 10 minutes of your attention might hamper your own gaming time.
- Drinks for All: Stock up on soft drinks, sparkling water, maybe some fancy fruit juice, or the occasional cocktail/mocktail if that’s your vibe. Keep the bar area (a table in the corner, likely) free for self-service, so you don’t get stuck playing bartender all night.
Don’t forget the golden rule: keep greasy fingers off the controllers. Provide napkins or encourage your friends to have a designated “snack break” so they’re not smearing leftover pizza sauce all over your precious gaming hardware.
- Tech Check: Sorting Your Systems in Advance
Nothing kills a vibe faster than spending 45 minutes rummaging for the right HDMI cable or discovering one of your controllers hasn’t been charged since the Queen’s coronation. If you’re planning to play on multiple consoles or switch from the TV to a projector, do a quick test-run before your mates arrive. Label cords if you must (even if it feels slightly over the top). Keep spare batteries or rechargeable packs within arm’s reach, because there’s always one friend who forgets to charge their gamepad.
Also, consider how many players can join in simultaneously. If you’re expecting a big group, it might be wise to set up multiple stations—one area for co-op or single-player narrative games, and another for local multiplayer. This way, no one is left twiddling their thumbs, waiting for a turn.
- Avoid the “One More Game” Trap
Ah, the fateful “one more game” phenomenon: it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re immersed in virtual worlds. Before you know it, it’s 3am and half your guests are slumped on the sofa, valiantly attempting to keep their eyes open. If your mission is relaxation, consider imposing the mildest of schedules or “gentle boundaries.” For example, plan for a break every hour or two. This not only keeps the session from dragging on but also encourages your friends to mingle, snack, and stretch their legs.
Rather than having your mates binge-game until the sun rises, aim for a sweet spot that leaves them wanting more—but also ensures they head home feeling energised rather than zombified.
- The Joy of Team-Building Minigames
Even though this is supposed to be a “chilled out” event, there’s no rule saying you can’t spice things up with some good old-fashioned (friendly) competition. To maintain the relaxing atmosphere, consider injecting collaborative or mild “us vs. them” challenges. Maybe you organise a small Mario Party tournament with a silly prize at stake (like a novelty hat or a fridge magnet proclaiming “World’s Greatest Gamer”).
These team-building minigames transform your living room into a hub of shared laughter. If someone misses out on a star or is forced to spin a wheel of doom, they can bounce back by winning the next minigame. It’s a cyclical experience of high-fives, exclamations of mock outrage, and comedic victory dances.
- Cater to the Caffeine Fiends and the Chill Seekers
People have different energy levels. Some prefer multiple cups of coffee or tea to keep them alert, while others might fancy winding down with a chamomile brew or a lavender-scented candle. Being a thoughtful host means acknowledging these differences. Set up a little beverage station that includes coffee, tea (both caffeinated and herbal), sugar, sweeteners, perhaps a dash of milk alternatives—almond, oat, the works.
Why go through all this trouble? Because a friend who can sip their favourite brew is a friend who’s more likely to feel at home. And a friend who feels at home is more likely to compliment your new bean bag arrangement, guaranteeing you those sweet, sweet validation points.
- The Polite Way to Handle Smoking Breaks
We all have that one mate who nips out for a quick smoke break every half-hour. It can be disruptive, especially when you’re mid-battle or about to deliver a crucial puzzle solution. You don’t necessarily want to ban them from stepping outside (it’s a free country, after all), but you can gently request that they time their breaks so as not to derail the group’s progress.
If you’re keen on offering alternatives that are a bit more discreet, some folks might appreciate having different nicotine options on hand—like the Iceberg nic pouch collection, for instance—so they don’t have to pop outside in the pouring rain. Again, it’s entirely up to you how you manage your household, but a little courtesy goes a long way in keeping the session flowing.
- Incorporating Chill IRL Activities
Sometimes, even the most devoted gamers need a break from screens. Punctuating your gaming session with short off-screen activities can be a stroke of genius. This could be something as simple as stepping into the garden for a mini ring toss tournament, or whipping out a quirky board game that sparks group laughter. Ever tried a 15-minute yoga-for-gamers session? You might be surprised how quickly your mates embrace the downward dog if it helps loosen those stiff wrists from all that button-mashing.
These short, low-effort interruptions keep the atmosphere lively and prevent the dreaded “too much of a good thing” syndrome, which can happen when you stare at a screen for five hours straight.
- Navigating Controller Hoggers and Backseat Gamers
No matter how carefully you plan, every friend group has characters. There’s the “controller hogger,” who acts like a digital tyrant, refusing to relinquish control even when it’s obvious they’re on their eighth consecutive turn. Then there’s the “backseat gamer,” perched behind you, shouting tips like, “Go left! Shoot now! Jump on the crate!” in a near-constant barrage.
Handling these personalities without spiking stress levels is key. A polite but firm approach works best. Communicate your rotation system in advance: “We’ll swap players every 15 minutes or at the end of each round, so everyone gets a chance.” As for the backseat gamer, gently suggest they put their obvious brilliance to good use by assisting new players or offering a more formal tutorial session. Failing that, encourage them to try an activity that actually requires their input—like manning the snack station.
Time to chill out with your besties and a great game!
