All Work and Play: The Positive Effects of Playing Games Together at Work

Gaming is nothing that has a natural fit in the hustle and bustle of our hectic work life. We work at the office and play at home, simple as that, and that rule or way of thinking had been predominant for years and years. But all of that has changed in the last couple of years and the spaces that are we normally or traditionally has connected to the different task, work and spare time, has switched places.

On another note, the term ‘spare time’ is a strange remanence from our work centric past. We need an alternative wording for the time that we spend, not at work.

But I digress. Back to the main topic for today, playing games at work.

In the modern workplace gaming is nothing new, most of us if not all people game in some sense of the word. We play games on our phones, join raiding parties in our spare time (that ugly word again), many of us have consoles and gaming computers and the activity is no longer something for the award kids in the back of the classroom. Gaming culture is now mainstream. Yet, we don’t utilize this at work.

I would say that “The team that plays together, stays together”. It sounds strange but is true.

The traditional image of the workplace is one of focused seriousness, a realm of productivity where games have no place. But it turns out that beyond fun and frivolity there is real benefits to be had by incorporating games into the work environment. It actually enhances productivity, strengthen and simplifies team building and improves overall employee well-being.

While the idea of playing games at work might conjure images of wasted time and unproductive employees the reality is far more nuanced. Games that require teamwork and collaboration can foster a stronger sense of camaraderie among employees. Working together towards a common goal in a virtual world translates to improved communication and coordination within the team in the real world. Players learn to rely on each other’s strengths, strategize effectively and celebrate successes together. And the end result of all this, to the uninformed, lazy leisure, might just be a stronger team.

Many video games require quick thinking, creative problem-solving and quick adaptation to changing situations. These skills translate seamlessly into the workplace, empowering teams to tackle challenges, troubleshoot issues, and find innovative solutions. This is hard to simulate in any other way and to do it safely is next to impossible. But within a game anything is possible. And even though the situation presented is not the same as in real life, I doubt that many of us battles Orcs at work, the fundamental skills remain the same. Levering us enhanced problem-solving skills as an added bonus to the gold we collect along the way.

Communication is hard and collaboration even harder. Multiplayer games necessitate clear communication and collaboration to achieve victory, just like in real life. Whether coordinating strategies or adapting to in-game challenges, employees hone their communication skills and learn to work together effectively.

Beyond that, games can spark creativity by presenting unique challenges and encouraging players to think outside the box. This can benefit brainstorming sessions, product development and any task that requires a touch of creative thinking. Games breaks the monotony of everyday life and while doing so unlocks our creativity.

Lastly, we have the wonderful stress reliving properties of gaming. A short, well-timed game session can be a great way to blow off steam and alleviate work-related stress. The shared experience of playing and having fun can boost employee morale and helps fostering a more positive and engaged work environment.

I must, to be honest, admit that I have during the years utilized gaming as my number one stress reliver during the workday. A quick match on the lowest difficulty setting, making me more or less unbeatable, makes all stress and related anger wash away as I dominate the battlefield or for that matter fishing tournament.

However, not all games are created equal and not all games are suited for the office. Or when it comes to fostering teamwork and comradery in the workplace. Here are some factors to consider when choosing games for team play.

Focus on games that require players to work together rather than compete against each other. Look for games with shared goals and challenges that necessitate collaboration for success.

Short Sessions, this is paramount! Team gaming sessions should be short and well-timed, ideally functioning as energizers or stress relievers rather than significant time commitments. Breaks of 15-30 minutes can be highly effective.

As in many aspects of life, variety is Key. Explore different genres and game types to cater to diverse employee preferences. This ensures everyone can participate and enjoy the experience and be open to the fact that there are as many types of games as there are types of gamers.

There are lots of efforts being done in this sector at the moment. I had the opportunity to talk to a startup founder in this space, a dear college of mine from ten years back, who really seems to understand the fundamental concept. It’s not about the game itself, it’s all about creating connection and facilitate community, teamwork and sense of belonging.

It’s about creating a culture of play within the company and to be able to truly flourish, a supportive work environment is crucial.

Management support is essential for the success of any workplace initiative. Leaders who encourage team gaming send a powerful message about prioritizing employee well-being and fostering a positive work environment. We therefor need a leadership buy-in to the whole concept, and as gaming has gone more and more widely mainstream more and more leaders are getting the hang of it.

Next there is a need for dedicated space. Consider setting aside a designated space for team gaming sessions. This can be a physical space with gaming consoles or a virtual space through online collaborative platforms. I work for a multinational tech and consulting behemoth and I’m happy to report that we already have this covered. A dedicated space, a Discord server, where gamers from all over the world can meet after work and do what we do best.

The organization should also try to curate a selection of games suitable for team play based on employee interests and the intended benefits. A custom games library if you will, based employee suggestions or the company’s mottos.

We also need to establish clear guidelines regarding the frequency and duration of game sessions to ensure they remain a productive addition to the workday. While playing games is fun, and often more fun that many tasks at work, we are at work to do just that. Work!

So, we need not forget why we play games. It’s to find new and better ways to work together and collaborate. The Orcs we slay along the way are just the icing on the cake.

The lines between work and play are blurring. As technology evolves and the nature of work changes, incorporating elements of play into the workplace can be a strategic move. Team gaming offers a unique opportunity to foster stronger teams, enhance problem-solving skills, and ultimately, create a more productive and enjoyable work environment.

In the future, playing games together at work might not seem like a perk, but rather, a standard practice as companies recognizes the power of play to unlock employee potential and drive organizational success. So, next time your team needs a refresh, consider breaking out the controllers. The benefits might surprise you.