Fun Games to Play With Friends Far Away

Being away from friends can be hard. If one of you has moved recently, it may be hard to stay in touch like you once did when you lived in the same city. Even if it's just a long trip or a vacation, the distance can be hard. Online games are one way to connect with one another even when you can't be there in person, while also fostering a little fun and competition.

Cell Phone Games

Most mobile phones come with at least trial versions of some kinds of games. If your phone has online access, you may download other games and apps that allow you to play either by yourself or with others. A good example of this is Words with Friends, a word game on iPhone that can be played with friends anywhere in the world who also have an iPhone. For those into other smartphones, like the Android OS, there is also Beyond Speed Limits (a racing game) or Tennis Smash. There are hundreds of other titles available for various smartphone platforms.

Online Board Games

Many online sites like Yahoo! Games and Pogo offers a variety of classic games. These include board games such as Scrabble, checkers and chess. Though you can play against the computer or a random stranger, you can also connect and play together with friends and loved ones. Some games may have multiple players, so you and your friend can play with others and possibly meet new friends.

Online Multiplayer Games

Online multiplayer games are not just for geeks anymore. Millions of people around the world play these games, which are often referred to as Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, or MMORPG for short. This means that hundreds, even thousands can play these role-playing games online from around the world all at once. Included are popular games such as World of Warcraft and Warhammer Online. If these are too aggressive for you, try MapleStory, which has you defeating dragons instead of whole armies. Some games charge a fee, while others, like MapleStory, are free.

Video Games

If both of you have a video game system such as a PS3 or an Xbox, there are games that you can play online against each other in real time. PlayStation offers PlayStation Network, where you can connect with others who also have a compatible PlayStation and play online. If you have a headset, you can talk to the other person as you play. Similarly, Xbox offers Xbox Live, which also allows you to play online and talk by headset. This also helps reduce phone bills, since all talking and playing are done through an Internet connection.