Meet Alex, the new employee at your company, he doesn’t know anyone yet. On their very first day, Alex joins a small team but quickly finds themselves immersed in an eSports tournament, playing alongside dozens of colleagues from across the entire organization. This fictional scenario showcases the transformative potential of eSports in fostering connections and inclusivity within your company. In this blog post, we’ll delve into how eSports can revolutionize corporate culture, creating a dynamic, interconnected workplace where every employee, like Alex, has the chance to build relationships and boost engagement, all while doing something they love – gaming.
Redefining Team Building& Engagement
eSports is transforming team-building from a chore to an adventure in teamwork and strategy. It’s not only fun but also effective. A Brigham Young University study in Atlassian’s blog reveals that teams playing video games can be 20% more productive. It goes further: eSports is for everyone; gaming can break down barriers and unite diverse groups. Professor Matt Parker from the New York University Game Center discusses the community-building value of gaming and mentions: “Playing games with someone means interacting in a different space. You’re making an agreement with them to navigate that space together, and you’ll see a different side of them than you normally would in a professional setting,”
Beyond Hardcore Gaming
The eSports scene is famous for the big hardcore or sports games, but corporate eSports initiatives can and must include a broader range of games and activities like chess, board games, and mobile casual games. Invite everyone to play and have fun.
The Future of Corporate eSports
The future looks bright for eSports in society and workplaces; the “2023 Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry” ESA’s report underscore that 65% of Americans play video games at least one hour per week and 96% view games as beneficial.
Challenges and Considerations
Introducing eSports into the workplace presents unique challenges. It’s important to include everyone, even those who aren’t typical gamers, by offering a range of games and activities. Managing competitiveness to ensure a friendly atmosphere is also essential. The use of specialized software can help to manage gaming sessions, organize tournaments, add gamification elements, and track participation metrics. This approach helps in creating an inclusive, engaging, and well-coordinated eSports environment in the office.
Practical Tips
- Start with relaxed, inclusive gaming sessions.
- Understand your community. Talk with small groups about it.
- Focus on fun and teamwork.
- Find a tool to support the journey.
Conclusion
eSports can be a new and effective way to enhance and embrace your workplace culture. It fosters teamwork and inclusivity and offers a modern approach to employee engagement. Exploring the world of eSports could lead to a more dynamic, connected, satisfied, and productive team.
This blog will bring news and research-based articles about eSports and corporate culture.
Remember, the key is not to force eSports into your workplace culture but to integrate it to complement and enhance your existing environment. Happy gaming!
