Gaming Couch

About

Gaming Couch is a free party game platform that runs in your web browser. One screen, usually a laptop or a TV, hosts the game, and up to eight people in the same room join by scanning a QR code and using their smartphones as controllers. There is nothing to install and no account to create, which makes it a great fit for game nights, family gatherings, office breaks, classrooms and any moment when a group wants to play together right now. It is made by a small independent team from Finland, and the games are built in-house around short, chaotic rounds of about a minute with plenty of player interaction. The project has earned attention on the indie circuit, including second place at The Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki and a trip to Gamescom, and it is often compared with Jackbox and AirConsole, but with fast action games instead of trivia and no app to download. The team has also opened a developer preview with a Unity SDK so third-party creators can publish their own party games on the platform. Highlights: • Up to 8 players in the same room, with phones working as controllers • Runs entirely in the browser, with no downloads, consoles or sign-ups • A growing library of racing, action and arcade-style games such as Runman, Chowboys and Space Race • Physical gamepads are supported as well as phones • Remote play by sharing the host screen over Discord, Zoom or Google Meet • Menus, scoreboards and a party radio music mix handled by the platform between rounds • A developer preview with a Unity SDK for building new games Gaming Couch is free to play, and its site describes it as a free platform with no paid tier. It runs in any modern web browser on the host screen, with players joining from iOS or Android phones. The platform is still young and labeled early access on itch.io, so expect new games and some rough edges.

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