In short: Microsoft has added traditional video games like Solitaire and Minesweeper to its Groups communication platform within the perception that it’s going to assist create connections, construct belief and enhance general workforce morale.
Redmond mentioned the transfer to distant and hybrid work has weakened social capital, impacted cross-group collaboration and affected worker retention. In line with the Work Pattern Index, greater than 40 % of leaders view constructing relationships because the hardest problem in distant and hybrid environments.
The Video games for Work app from Microsoft Informal Video games (an Xbox Video games Studio) features a number of titles which might be straightforward to play and emphasize totally different parts of workforce constructing. At launch, it is possible for you to to select from fan favorites like Minesweeper and Solitaire in addition to video games you may not be as conversant in reminiscent of IceBreakers and Wordament.
IceBreakers is described as a variant of This or That, a dialog recreation the place gamers select between two gadgets they like. Microsoft mentioned it will possibly spur full of life and passionate dialog (arguments?) that fosters connections and construct workforce morale.
Wordament, in the meantime, is a phrase recreation much like Boggle that debuted greater than 10 years in the past. Solitaire and Minesweeper want no introduction as they’ve been staples of Home windows-based machines for a number of many years.
Every title is interactive, rated “E” for everybody and might assist between two and 250 gamers. What’s extra, they’re all freed from advertisements. Microsoft mentioned the video games will proceed to evolve, and new titles might be added based mostly on person suggestions.
Microsoft acknowledged that some might contemplate video games at work a distraction, nevertheless it actually believes the advantages are plentiful. Redmond cited a 2019 research from Brigham Younger College that claimed newly-formed work groups skilled a 20 % enhance in productiveness on subsequent duties after enjoying video games collectively for 45 minutes.
What are your ideas on video games for Groups? Do you consider enjoying video games with co-workers on firm time will make individuals extra productive, or is the distant work period saddled by extra complicated challenges?