What host controller mode does
Host controller mode gives you a separate view for running the game. You can keep the main game board visible to players while using another tab or device to see the host controls and correct responses.
This is especially useful when the game board is displayed on a projector, television, or shared in an online meeting.
Watch the walkthrough
Open the host controller
- Open your game board on the screen your players will watch.
- On a phone or tablet, log in to the same Buzzinga account. If you use the same computer, open a separate browser window that will not be displayed or shared with the audience.
- Open Host Controller directly, or open the main menu and select Host Controller.
- Keep the main game board visible to players and use the controller to run the game.
What you can control
The host controller and audience game board stay synchronized automatically. Actions taken from the controller appear on the game board, so you do not need to interact with the audience screen.
From the host controller, you can:
- select categories and clues;
- see correct responses privately;
- manage buzz-ins and mark responses correct or incorrect;
- adjust scores and control clue media;
- move through rounds and finish the game.
Hide the host controls on the audience screen
If the host controls are still visible on the audience game board, select the gear icon in the host controller to open the Settings menu, then select Hide host controls on Main Screen.
To display them again, select the gear icon in the host controller and choose Show host controls on Main Screen. You can also select Show host controls on this screen in the same menu on the audience game board.
Keep audio on the audience screen
Game audio should play from the audience game board. If audio also plays from the host controller, select its gear icon to open the Settings menu, then select Mute all audio on this page. This prevents duplicate sound or echo while keeping music, sound effects, and media audible to the audience.
Choose your setup
In person
Display the main game board on the projector or television. Keep the host controller open on a phone, tablet, or laptop that only the host can see.
On Zoom
Share only the browser tab or window containing the main game board. Keep the host controller in an unshared tab or on a second device so participants do not see the controls or responses.
See Hosting a game on Zoom for the rest of the meeting setup.
Test it before the game
- Confirm that both views are logged in to the same account.
- Make sure the public game board is the only view shown to players.
- Check that the host can comfortably see and use the controller.
- Confirm that actions taken from the controller immediately update the audience game board.
- Make sure game audio plays only from the audience screen.
- Run through a few clues before participants join.