Bumble, a location-based social and dating app that facilitates communication between interested users, has launched a new feature called Night In, which lets users play games during virtual dates.
For now, the only available game users from the US and Canada can try is a series of trivia questions that people on a date can answer together to get to know each other better. The app promises to add more games and activities in the near future.
The new feature comes as the world is still experiencing the global pandemic, meaning that people have troubles going on actual real-life dates. Therefore, Night In should help the app’s users break the ice on first dates, especially since they are virtual, as well as make them less awkward as much as possible. It’s a surefire way to find common ground or even spark a flirty debate.
Night In is an expansion of the video dates feature Bumble introduced back in 2019. It has experienced a surge in popularity because of the pandemic recently, with video and voice calling features being used 70% more often since the beginning of the pandemic.
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One can try the Night In feature by using the icon in a chat message. There is also an option of scheduling a virtual date for later. It can take place between 6 PM and midnight on any day. If the date is scheduled, both of its participants will get a reminder ahead of the date.
Even though Bumble launched its video calling feature in 2019, other dating apps, like Hinge and Tinder, had to catch up over the past year in order to keep up with the growing demand for online communication. And even though such features appeared primarily because of the pandemic, it seems like they are here to stay. According to Bumble, nearly half of users in the US prefer a virtual first date to an in-person one.
