These apps bring the magic of a house party online

The pandemic shifted our social lives online, highlighting the benefits of virtual gatherings – no travel hassles, comfortable attire, and no designated drivers. However, replicating the spontaneous interactions of a real house party, like casually chatting in the kitchen, proves challenging on typical video conferencing platforms. Fortunately, several platforms offer a more immersive, house-party-like experience.

Gather.town: Your 8-bit Virtual Party Palace

Imagine a blend of The Sims and Zoom – that's Gather.town. This platform lets you host parties, chat via video, and design intricate virtual spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Build from scratch or use templates to create a unique world for your guests to explore. Interactive elements, like leaving instructions on virtual desks or using a shared whiteboard, add to the fun. Proximity-based video calls allow for easy conversation, while private spaces mimic the intimacy of a balcony chat. You can manage up to nine conversations simultaneously and send in-game text messages to connect with distant guests. Invite friends via links and password-protect rooms for exclusive access. Currently desktop-only, with a mobile beta in development. Free for up to 25 guests, with paid upgrades supporting larger gatherings.

Online Town: Simple and Straightforward

Online Town offers a streamlined approach to virtual partying. Choose a room name and one of nine pre-designed environments, from apartments to Times Square. Custom spaces are also possible using resources provided on Github. Select an avatar, invite friends via links (with optional password protection), and navigate using keyboard arrows. Engage in general chat or approach others for video calls. Supports up to 32 participants, completely free of charge.

Partingle: Retro Vibes and Real-Life Integration

Partingle provides a simpler, yet remarkably realistic house party simulation. No login is required, making it incredibly accessible. Choose from four houses with varying capacities (8-40 guests), select an egg-shaped avatar, and you're ready to party. Proximity-based video calls facilitate conversation. While the video quality is surprisingly good, server stability may occasionally fluctuate.

A unique feature is the ability to simulate real-life actions. Indicate when you're away by moving your avatar to the kitchen or bathroom and using corresponding icons. This keeps guests informed of your brief absence.

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