Online activities to try with friends in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates is doing all it can to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (Covid 19) in Dubai. A lot of businesses have advised their staff to work from home. Major tourist attractions like the Dubai Miracle Garden are temporarily closed until further notice. Additionally, the general populace has been instructed to stay at home and practice social distancing until the threat has passed. Thankfully, there are several online activities in Dubai available for residents.
Sure, there are several home activities for kids that can keep the younger members of your household busy — but keeping socially active adults entertained is another matter entirely. Thankfully, you can always stay in touch with your friends via the internet. On that note, here are some online activities in Dubai that can help you hang out with your friends safely.
Online Gaming
A good way to practice social distancing and stay in touch with friends during this time is through online multi-player games in Dubai. Online games keep you entertained for hours and offer a good way to engage with your pals without having to visit them in person. One of the best online activities in Dubai during this time, here are some games you can play with your buddies on the internet:
- Minecraft: A natural pick, Minecraft allows players to build whatever they like in a virtual space. Get 10 of your friends to rent a “realm” and work together to collect materials to build whatever you like — from high tech cities to vast underground caverns.
- Sea of Thieves: Considered one of the best pirate simulators around, this game is perfect for a party of four. Commandeer a ship with your fellow pirates, for there is a treasure to be found and enemies to slay. Things get interesting when you encounter other players at sea.
- Rocket League: Its soccer, but with cars! Plus it is cross-platform compatible, which means that even friends that are limited to either Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo consoles or the PC can get in on the action together.
- Final Fantasy 14: This game is known for being a solo act but it also excels as a multiplayer online role-playing game. Whether you just want to chat in the port town or hang out with friends, the game is a great option for passing time online.
- Overcooked! 2: If a fantastical setting isn’t for you, sign up for this cooking simulation video game where you can assemble a team of four players in a classic co-op online play. It might sound simple, but this game is sure to test your hand-eye coordination skills. Bear in mind though, that this is not a cross-platform game, So if you own it on PC you will only be able to play it with other players who also own it on PC. It’s available on Play Station, Xbox, Nintendo and PC.
Speaking of multi-player games, if you haven’t signed up for a Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) yet, now is a good time to do so. A web-based game where thousands of players can play on the same server, MMOGs usually feature a huge open world, though some differ. Additional examples of popular online games of the type include World of Warcraft, Guild Wars, Fortnite and more.
First Person Shooters (FPS)
What’s better than a good first-person shooter game? One where you can take down invading forces with your buddies online! Considered one of the best Dubai online activities, first-person shooters can be played on a game console or computer — with most of them requiring players to take on the role of soldiers on a battlefield. Examples of First Person Shooters with online multiplayer gameplay are Titanfall 2, Doom, Call of Duty, Counter Strike, Overwatch and others.
Social Media Games
From poker to mystery whodunits, most games on social media require players to beat top scores. You can start with Facebook as your social media of choice. Examples of famous Facebook games include Texas Hold’em Poker, where multiple players can try their luck to win the pot.
Fun Social Distancing Activities
The web isn’t only good for gaming. From video calls to virtual workouts, there are several fun activities you can plan remotely with your friends on the web too. Here are some innovative Dubai activities online that can help you practice social distancing and have a blast with your friends at the same time:
Throw a Netflix Party
Online streaming services have advanced enough to enable users to watch their favourite programmes with friends remotely. And the best example is Netflix. The video streaming service has a Netflix Party feature which synchronises video playback thereby allowing multiple people to watch a show at the same time. The best part is a group chat feature which you can use to chat with friends as a show progresses.
Currently, the service is only available on desktop or laptops and on Chrome browsers. All in all, it’s a great way to host long-distance movie nights when entertainment options are limited to indoor activities in Dubai.
Online board games
Online board games are similar to their physical counterparts. The only difference is that they are available on the web and can be played by two players who may be miles apart. Popular board games that have online versions include Cluedo, Monopoly, Uno and more. As an example, consider the Hasbro Family Fun Pack which combines a few of the brand’s famous games — with an option to play with online opponents.
Play party games
Other options for online activities in Dubai in the age of social distancing are party games. Typically involving lots of people, they are great for those who have a large social circle. Here are web versions of some famous party games you can play online with friends:
- Jackbox Games: This developer has released a number of online party games over the years. The best part is that one player can own a game and allow up to 9 players to play via a shareable link. A popular game from the company is Drawful 2 which is currently available for free on the Jackbox Games website.
- Cards Against Humanity: This immensely popular game proves that answers like “Crippling debt” and “Meatloaf, the food” can be equally funny depending on the question. The game is free to play with several versions available online.
Appreciate art online
If you and your friends are art enthusiasts, your plans may have included visits to the several art events in Dubai in 2020. Unfortunately, since several operations in the nation are closed at the moment, this is easier said than done.
But what if we told you that you can “visit” an art gallery in Dubai on the web? And the best place to do it is via the Art Dubai website. The website features works that depict contemporary art practices from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America in its online catalogue.
Visiting an art gallery may not count as one of the best online activities in Dubai, but Art Dubai makes it happen. Perusing the many artworks here is a breeze. The Art Dubai Online Catalogue has scores of artworks classified according to mediums like Installation, Photography, Work on Paper, Video, Prints, Textiles and other materials. Visitors can also filter their search by artists. Currently, the online art gallery features works from 2019 to 2020. And since everything is online, you and your friends can appreciate it all while chatting with each other on Skype or other video chat tools.
That’s all for our guide on online activities in Dubai. How are you spending your time indoors during this time? Let us know in the comments.
If social distancing extends to the workplace, consider our picks for the best apps to work from home in the UAE. You can also do your part by following a couple of tips for curbing the coronavirus pandemic in the UAE by taking certain precautionary measures. A good start is to read up on how the government is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in the UAE.
How are you spending your time indoors during this time? Let us know in the comments.
