10 Games to Play Over Text for Remote Teams (No Video, No Stress!)

Remote workdays can feel a little…well, remote. The group chat is quiet, your calendar’s full, and those spontaneous kitchen convos are just a distant memory now. But what if you could spark laughter, build real connections, and shake off that mid-afternoon lull all without a single video call or complicated setup? Enter: games to play over text.

Text-based games are the unsung heroes of remote and hybrid team life. They slide easily into Slack, Teams, or any chat app, fitting right into your team’s daily flow. No need to schedule, no pressure to “perform” on camera, and absolutely zero learning curve. Whether you’re looking to break the ice, add a spark to slow days, or just keep the team vibe alive, these games are ready to go.

In this listicle, we’ll walk you through 10 of the best games to play over text, each one handpicked for remote teams who want low-effort, high-connection fun. You’ll find instant classics and laugh-out-loud group games. Not every game is right for every team, so pick what fits your culture, comfort level, and chat norms.

Ready to turn your team chat into the place everyone wants to be? Keep scrolling—your next burst of team energy is just a few texts away.

10 Games To Play Over Text

1. Ghost: The Ultimate Zero-Setup Word Game 👻 

Ghost is the gold standard for games to play over text—no setup, no fuss, just pure word-nerd energy. Here’s how it works: Players take turns adding letters to a growing word fragment. The catch? Don’t be the one to complete a real word, or you’re out! Ghost works beautifully in Slack threads or group chats, and it’s perfect for 2–8 players.

Let’s see a quick example in action:

> Alex: G  

> Casey: H  

> Alex: O  

> Casey: S  

> Alex: T  

> Casey: Wait, is “ghost” a word?  

> Alex: Yep! You finished it—you’re out! 👻

Why does Ghost shine for remote teams? It’s asynchronous-friendly, so folks can jump in when they’re free. It also sneaks in a little vocabulary flex, and sparks playful banter. If you want a word game that starts instantly and never feels stale, Ghost is your new go-to.

Pro tips:

• Keep rounds short—aim for one word per thread.
• Set a “challenge” rule: If you think someone’s bluffing, call them out!
• Track wins with emojis (👻 for a loss, 💪 for a win) to keep things light.

2. 20 Questions: The Quick-Thinking Classic 🤔 

If you’ve ever been stuck in a car or waiting for coffee, you probably know 20 Questions. It’s just as fun over Slack or Teams. One person thinks of something (an object, animal, famous person—you name it). Everyone else asks yes/no questions to guess what it is, but you only get 20!

Why does this game work so well for remote teams? It’s a low-pressure way to get people talking, and it’s easy to dip in and out. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to learn about your teammates’ favorite things (“Wait, you picked a platypus?”).

Try it as a daily icebreaker, or drop it into the chat during a slow afternoon. It’s a guaranteed boredom-buster.

Common pitfalls (and fixes):

• Too obscure? Set a theme (e.g., “Only office supplies!”).
• Game drags on? Limit to 10–15 questions for bigger groups.
• People overthink? Encourage silly guesses—sometimes the wildest questions are the most fun!

3. Never Have I Ever: Text Edition 😂 

Never Have I Ever isn’t just for college parties—it’s a fantastic way to break the ice or spark laughter in a group chat. Each person takes a turn texting “Never have I ever…” followed by something they’ve never done. Anyone who *has* done it reacts with an emoji or a quick reply.

Why do remote teams love it? It’s low-stakes, revealing, familiar, and often hilarious. You’ll discover who’s secretly gone skydiving, who’s spilled coffee on their keyboard, and who’s never seen Star Wars (gasp!).

How to play:

• Use a dedicated thread or channel for a round.
• Keep prompts work-appropriate (or save the more personal prompts for after hours or close-knit teams).
• First to 5 “I have!” replies wins…or loses, depending on your mood.

4. Mafia Mystery: Social Deduction, All in Text 🕵️ 

If your team enjoys puzzles, friendly debate, and a little “wait… are you sure?” energy, Mafia Mystery is a fun one to try in Slack or Teams. It’s a social deduction game (think Werewolf, but in text): in a group of 6–12, a few players get secret roles, and everyone works together to figure out what’s going on through short messages and votes each round.

The key to making it feel good at work is structure: keep rounds quick, set clear time windows for voting, and remind everyone it’s just a game—not a personality test. Run it in a dedicated thread or channel, and let each “night” last an hour or two so async folks can still participate.

Why it works:

• Encourages creative thinking and playful deduction.
• Works well for distributed teams—just set clear time windows for voting.
• Builds rapport fast, even among new colleagues.

5. Would You Rather: The Ultimate Icebreaker 🗣️ 

Would You Rather is the Swiss Army knife of games to play over text. It’s simple: someone asks a “Would you rather…” question, and everyone else picks a side. The questions can be silly (“Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?”) or work-related (“Would you rather have unlimited coffee or unlimited vacation days?”).

This game is perfect for quick team resets, onboarding, or just sparking a little debate. It’s also a great way to get a read on your team’s personalities—some folks go practical, others go wild.

How to use it:

• Post a daily question in a #random channel.
• Encourage emojis for voting (🦆 vs. 🐴, anyone?).
• Ask follow-up questions to keep the chat rolling.

6. GuessMe!: Rapid-Fire Trivia for Teams 🎲 

GuessMe! is a trivia game built for laughs and fast rounds. One person asks a question (“What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?”), and everyone texts their best guess about another teammate’s answer. Then, the real answer is revealed—and chaos usually follows. A fun take on Guess Who, if you will.

This game is a crowd-pleaser because it’s fast, funny, and gets everyone involved. You’ll be amazed at how quickly inside jokes form (“No way you’ve eaten pickled herring!”). It’s especially great for remote teams that want to build rapport without a lot of structure.

When to play:

• As a Friday “wind-down” activity.
• During onboarding to help new hires feel seen.
• Whenever your team chat feels a little too quiet.

7. Walkie Talkie: Scene-Guessing for Two 🏃 

If you want a quick 1-on-1 game, Walkie Talkie delivers. Here’s how it goes: One person describes a scene (without naming it), and the other tries to guess what it is. The catch? You can only use fragmented clues, like a real walkie-talkie cutting out.

This game is perfect for remote buddies, onboarding buddies, or anyone who needs a break between meetings. It’s a simple way to get people laughing and thinking on their feet.

Why it’s a winner:

• No setup—just start messaging.
• Builds communication skills (and a sense of humor).
• Works for a 5-minute break or a full-on text “battle."

8. Fallacy Quiz: Spot the Silly Logic 💬 

This one’s for teams who enjoy a little brain-teasing fun. In Fallacy Quiz, teammates take turns sharing intentionally silly arguments, and everyone guesses what doesn’t quite add up. The goal isn’t to be right—it’s to laugh, think out loud, and enjoy the absurd reasoning along the way.

Why use it with remote teams? It’s a low-pressure way to wake up the brain, spark light discussion, and share a few “wait… that makes no sense” moments. (“We’re more productive with coffee. Therefore, unlimited coffee equals unlimited productivity.” Sounds legit, right?)

How to play:

• One person posts a playful, flawed statement.
• Others reply with what feels off—or their best humorous guess.
• Rotate turns and keep things light with emoji reactions instead of scorekeeping.

Tip: Treat this as guessing together, not correcting someone.

9. Hangman: The Classic, Now With Emojis 🏆 

Hangman is a timeless game that works perfectly over text. One person picks a word and sends underscores for each letter (“_ _ _ _ _”). The others guess letters one by one. Wrong guesses? Add an emoji “penalty”—maybe a ☕️ for each miss, or a 💀 if you’re feeling dramatic.

Why does Hangman work for remote teams? It’s easy to jump in, requires zero setup, and can be themed for any occasion (coffee, company values, inside jokes). Plus, it’s a gentle way to get everyone involved—even the shy folks.

Variation ideas:

• Use only work-related words for onboarding.
• Set a 6-guess limit for quick rounds.
• Let the winner pick the next word.

10. Custom Text Challenges: Make Any Game Yours 🎉 

Sometimes, the best games to play over text are the ones you tweak for your team. Take any classic (Ghost, Hangman, Mafia) and add your own flavor:

• Set categories: Only use words related to your company, hobbies, or the current season.
• Guess limits: Keep things moving by capping guesses.
• Penalties: Wrong answers mean posting a silly emoji or GIF.
• Win conditions: First to three wins gets to pick tomorrow’s game.

Why bother customizing? It keeps things fresh, lets everyone contribute, and makes the games feel like *your* team’s tradition. Plus, it’s a low-key way to build culture—one emoji at a time.

The Secret Ingredient for Team Connection

If there’s one thing remote and hybrid teams crave, it’s genuine connection. Games to play over text aren’t just a fun distraction—they’re a gateway to laughter, trust, and that “it’s OK to take a quick 5” feeling. Whether you’re breaking the ice with a new hire, recharging after a tough week, or just looking for a midday mood boost, these games fit right into your team’s daily flow.

What patterns stand out? The best text games are easy to start, don’t put anyone on the spot, and welcome everyone—introverts, extroverts, and even the “I’m just here for the memes” crowd. They’re flexible, async-friendly, and require nothing but a willingness to play along.

Ready to level up your remote team’s vibe? Start with one or two games from this list. See what sparks laughter, what gets people talking, and what becomes your team’s new inside joke. If you want something hosted or facilitated, Confetti offers virtual team experiences designed for remote and hybrid teams.

Here’s to more laughter, more connection, and a team chat that never feels lonely again. Happy texting! 🚀