Virtual team building games people join from the laptop they are already on
Most "virtual team building" is a quiz in a breakout room. These are proper games: teams have to talk to win, and a live scoreboard keeps the energy up. Everyone is already on a laptop for the call, so the game opens in a second tab beside it — the roomiest view there is — or on a phone if they prefer. You run the whole thing from one screen, on Zoom, Teams or anything else that shares a link.
- Remote teams
- Hybrid teams
- Facilitators running online workshops
- L&D teams
What you run
The games that do this
Unlock
Everyone holds a piece. Only talking puts it together.
- In the room
- Online
- Phone or laptop
- Your own content
Unlock
4 – 1,000 participants · 20 – 90 min · 8 credits per participant
Teams have to put a set of images in the right order, and they can describe the images but not show them. Over a video call that forces exactly the behaviour you want: listening, questioning, taking turns. Several rounds, so the second attempt is visibly better than the first.
Everything about UnlockRanking
Rank it alone, then as a team. The synergy score shows what the conversation added.
- In the room
- Online
- Phone or laptop
- Your own content
Ranking
4 – 500 participants · 30 – 45 min + debrief · 8 credits per participant
Everyone ranks a list alone, then the team ranks it together. The synergy score on the leaderboard shows what the conversation added, which makes the debrief about how the team decides, not who was right.
Everything about RankingHow the session goes
Before, during, after
Step 1
Before
Create the session in your account and rehearse it once, joining as a participant from a second browser window. Sessions with up to two participants are free. Paste the join link in the meeting chat a few minutes before you start — on a video call a link beats a QR code.
Step 2
During
Participants open the link in a second tab, enter a name, and land in their team. You start the game from the facilitator screen and share the scoreboard in the call. Pause between rounds for a two-minute team huddle in breakout rooms, or keep everyone together and let the teams plan in the chat.
Step 3
After
The scoreboard is your debrief. Ask what changed between round one and round two, and what the team would do differently next time. The debrief template in your account has the questions ready.
Debrief
Questions that turn the game into learning
- 1What did you assume in round one that turned out to be wrong?
- 2Who asked the question that unlocked the answer? What made it a good question?
- 3What would you do differently if you played a third round?
- 4Where does this happen in your real work?
What it costs
160 credits = $160
20 participants × 8 credits for Unlock, for a full 60-minute session including the debrief. Your rehearsal beforehand is free.
- Sessions with up to 2 participants are free
- 100 free credits when you sign up
- You pay only for the people who actually join
Questions
Do participants need to install anything?
No. They open a link on any phone, tablet or laptop and enter their name. Nothing to download, no account to create.
Does it work with breakout rooms?
Yes. Teams play on their own device whatever room they are in, and you can pause the game while they discuss. Many facilitators keep everyone in the main room and let the scoreboard drive the conversation.
How many people can join a virtual session?
Unlock takes 4 to 1,000 participants in up to 99 teams; Ranking takes 4 to 500. The scoreboard works the same at any size.
Rehearse it for free before your first real group
Sign up in two minutes, get 100 free credits, and rehearse any game as often as you like — sessions with up to 2 participants are always free.