Gamification in Virtual Meetings

According to a report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), 65% of American adults play video games, and the average age of a gamer is 35 years old. The report also found that women make up almost half of the gaming population, and that people from all income levels and educational backgrounds play video games.

In terms of online gaming specifically, a report from the market research company SuperData found that the global online gaming market was worth $137.9 billion in 2020, with an estimated 2.7 billion players. The report also found that the majority of online gamers are under the age of 35, with the largest group being those aged 25-34.

Overall, it seems that online gaming is a popular activity among a diverse group of people, and that the industry continues to grow and evolve.

Gamification, Need to take it seriously in your next Virtual Event

There are several potential benefits to including an online game in a virtual meeting:

1. Engagement: Games can be a fun and engaging way to break up a long meeting or conference, and can help to keep attendees focused and interested.
2. Team building: Online games can be a great way to encourage team building and collaboration among attendees.
3. Stress relief: Games can provide a welcome respite from the more serious nature of many meetings and conferences, and can help attendees relax and destress.
4. Networking: Games can be a great way to facilitate networking among attendees, as they can encourage people to interact with each other in a more casual and relaxed setting.
5. Education: Depending on the game, it may also be possible to incorporate educational elements or content into the game, making it a more interactive and engaging way to learn new skills or knowledge..

Including an online game at the conclusion of your virtual meeting can be a great way to add variety and interest to the event, and can help to keep attendees engaged and motivated. It is important to choose a game that is appropriate for the audience and the goals of the meeting, and to ensure that it is easy to access and participate in.

Taking a closer look at team building games that are available to employees, ranging from simple icebreakers to more complex and challenging activities. Some examples include:

1. Communication games: These games focus on improving communication and collaboration skills, and may involve tasks such as building a structure or solving a puzzle as a team.
2. Trust games: These games involve activities that require participants to rely on each other and build trust, such as catching a ball with a partner or walking across a balance beam together.
3. Problem-solving games: These games involve tasks that require teams to think critically and creatively in order to find a solution, such as escape rooms or mystery games.
4. Icebreakers: These are simple games that are designed to help people get to know each other and feel more comfortable in a group setting. Examples include word association games or “two truths and a lie.”
5. Virtual team building games: There are also many online games and activities that can be used for team building, such as virtual escape rooms or online trivia competitions.

Some of the best team building games are those that are tailored to the specific goals and needs of the team, and that encourage collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. It is important to choose games that are appropriate for the team’s skill level and comfort level, and to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and have fun.

Escape rooms can provide team building results by challenging participants to work together in order to solve puzzles and escape the room within a set time limit. These types of games require participants to communicate effectively, think critically, and divide tasks in order to succeed.

In an escape room, teams are typically faced with a series of puzzles and challenges that they must solve in order to progress and ultimately escape the room. These may involve finding clues, decoding messages, or solving riddles. In order to succeed, teams must work together and use their collective skills and knowledge to overcome the challenges.

By participating in an escape room, teams can learn to communicate more effectively, delegate tasks, and work together towards a common goal. These skills can be beneficial in a variety of work and team situations, and can help to improve teamwork and collaboration.

Escape rooms can be a fun and engaging way to build teamwork and problem-solving skills, and can be a great addition to a team building or training event.

A murder mystery game could potentially be an option for a company team building event, depending on the goals of the event and the preferences of the team. These types of games involve participants working together to solve a fictional crime or mystery, typically through a combination of clues, questioning suspects, and piecing together evidence.

Murder mystery games can be a fun and engaging way to build teamwork and problem-solving skills, and can encourage communication and collaboration among participants. However, it is important to consider the appropriateness of the theme for the workplace and the comfort level of the team before deciding to include a murder mystery game in a company team building event.

It may also be beneficial to choose a murder mystery game that is specifically designed for team building, as these may include additional elements that are designed to encourage teamwork and collaboration. For example, a game that involves breakout sessions or small group activities may be more effective at building teamwork skills than a game that is simply a series of clues to be solved independently.

It is important to carefully consider the goals and objectives of the team building event and the preferences of the team when deciding whether or not to include a murder mystery game as some people might not appreciate the theme.

There are several potential benefits that a company can reap by providing team building games:

1. Improved communication and collaboration: Team building games can help to improve communication and collaboration skills among employees, which can lead to more efficient and effective teamwork in the workplace.
2. Stronger team bonds: Games can be a great way to build relationships and foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among employees.
3. Increased motivation and engagement: Team building games can be a fun and engaging way to break up the workday and can help to keep employees motivated and focused.
4. Stress relief: Games can provide a welcome respite from the more serious nature of work tasks, and can help employees relax and destress during breaks or downtime.
5. Improved problem-solving skills: Many team building games involve tasks that require teams to think critically and creatively in order to find a solution, which can help to improve problem-solving skills.

Team building games can be a great way to improve teamwork and collaboration among employees, and can help to create a more positive and engaged work environment. It is important to choose games that are appropriate for the team’s skill level and comfort level, and to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and have fun.

There is some evidence to suggest that team building games can have a positive impact on employee retention. Research has shown that employees who feel connected to their colleagues and are satisfied with their work environment are more likely to stay with a company. Team building games can help to foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among employees, which can in turn lead to increased job satisfaction and a stronger sense of connection to the company.

In addition, team building games can be a fun and engaging way to break up the workday and can help to keep employees motivated and engaged. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and a sense of purpose, which can contribute to higher retention rates.

It is important to note that team building games should be just one part of a comprehensive employee retention strategy, and that other factors such as competitive compensation, career advancement opportunities, and a positive work culture also play a role in retaining employees.

Overall, while team building games alone may not directly impact employee retention, they can contribute to a more positive and engaged work environment, which can in turn lead to higher retention rates.