While video games remain a taboo subject to touch upon, Havard Business Review claims that playing video games fosters team collaboration, improves emotional intelligence, and more. However, managers often reject them as an activity that hampers productivity and discipline. It is still popularly believed that the time spent on games is time wasted.
But recent studies have found contrary results. As previously mentioned, these studies showed people have heightened cognitive and social skills that are necessary for organisational success.
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Self-Efficacy & Self-Esteem
Gamers are often stigmatised as socially awkward and introverts, two highly undesirable traits for organisational growth. These stereotypes and assumptions cannot be entertained any longer. It’s high time to challenge the stereotypes around gaming and create a place for gamers in the corporate setting. In fact, research on 25 individuals who were playing D&D observed that the players’ self-esteem and self-efficacy improved, and their stress and anxiety decreased. Moreover, the extended research of 801 individuals showed that 399 D&D players showed more extraversion and openness to experience than 402 non-players.
A Break From Sports Metaphor
Video games like Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) are collaborative in nature and thus are the perfect alternative to avoid overreliance on sports metaphors. Over-reliance on sports metaphors often frames business as a competitive arena where winning is the ultimate goal. This mindset may promote excessive competition both within the team and departments. Further, it neglects some important aspects of collaboration and community building. On the other hand, following the metaphors of video games may shift the focus from competition to collaboration.
Adds A Touch Of Novelty
Games like Minecraft provide open-ended environments where players are free to build, create, and experiment with different ideas. According to research by ScienceDirect, gaming environments like these are known to promote creativity by encouraging players to think out of the box. In a corporate setting, creativity is a crucial driver of innovation, leading to new product ideas, improved processes, and more efficient working methods. Moreover, playing games could result in developing new marketing strategies, more effective leadership techniques, or novel approaches to solving business challenges. Furthermore, gaming encourages a willingness to take risks and learn from failure, both critical elements of innovation.
Magnifies Productivity
Action games, like God of War, require players to concentrate intensely on their surroundings and react quickly to changing situations. This increased focus can easily be transmitted into the workplace, where employees must often juggle multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail. Moreover, that demand focus can help employees improve their ability to concentrate on tasks for extended periods, reducing errors and increasing productivity. For instance, a graphic designer might become more adept at noticing small inconsistencies in a project, or an accountant may improve their ability to spot discrepancies in financial reports.
Develops Growth Mindset
Video games teach players how to deal with setbacks and rise above challenges. While playing video games, players face multiple failures before achieving ultimate success. This experience teaches resilience and adaptability—essential qualities in the workplace, especially in a rapidly evolving industry. It helps employees build a growth mindset, where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. Resilience and mindset gained from this experience are extremely useful in high-pressure work environments, where employees must frequently adapt to new challenges and changes.
Reduces Employee Attrition
Workplace stress is a common issue that can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and even employee turnover. Casual games like Candy Crush offer a healthy outlet for stress relief, providing employees with a mental break from their day-to-day responsibilities. Studies have shown that short gaming sessions during breaks can significantly reduce stress levels, improving overall job satisfaction and well-being. Integrating video games into the company’s wellness program can contribute to a healthier, more balanced workplace where employees feel less overwhelmed by stress.
Improves Problem-Solving Skills
Critical thinking and problem-solving are two of the most valuable skill sets required in the modern workplace. In video games like online chess, portal and more, players face complex challenges that require them to think strategically, make decisions with limited resources, and anticipate potential outcomes. When players engage with these games regularly, challenging their cognitive abilities, they sharpen their problem-solving skills, which can be applied to real-world work situations. For example, a software developer might approach a coding issue from a new angle, or a marketing team might develop creative solutions to boost a campaign’s reach.
Gaming is no longer just a recreational activity; it has become a powerful tool for improving the workplace experience. By incorporating gaming into the workplace, companies can create a more dynamic, innovative, and productive environment that drives success in today’s competitive business landscape.
