How Multiplayer Online Games Level Up Workplace Skills

Think online gaming is just a waste of time? Think again. A fascinating new study out of the University of Houston shows that massively multiplayer online gaming (yes, MMO gaming) actually can whet skills that sharpen workplace productivity.

Assistant Professor Melika Shirmohammadi and her team discovered that popular MMOs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy teach players indispensable skills such as teamwork, problem solving, and leadership–all of which transfer to the office.

Online gaming often gets a bad rap, but our study tells a different story,” Shirmohammadi said. “These games help people develop workplace-ready skills, including selfconfidence and collaboration. When done in moderation, gaming can foster personal and professional growth.

These MMO games involve mission coordination by players, following team norms, and achieving shared goals through highly interactive virtual worlds. With over 150 million players on World of Warcraft alone, it is no surprise that many professionals are gamers.

To understand the connection, Shirmohammadi’s team conducted interviews with 23 employed gamers, each boasting at least a decade of MMO experience. They found that gamers viewed workplace challenges as solvable puzzles and approached problems with patience and perseverance.

“I see problems as puzzles waiting to be solved,” said one IT engineer in the study. “Gaming has shaped my mindset, making me more determined and creative when tackling obstacles.”

It also pointed out how the game nurtures leadership skills: “In MMOs, gamers manage resources, assign roles, and encourage teammates to work towards success–all key behaviours necessary to excel in today’s workforce.“

To the hiring manager, this is a new paradigm. Companies may be hiring MMO gamers without realizing the latent skill set they are tapping.

It is not mere fun and gaming; it is related to strategic and social expertise earned in virtual worlds and applied to real-world challenges.

Next time a colleague discusses his or her latest quest in gaming, do not scoff-he or she may just be leveling up the workplace skills.

Who said saving a virtual world could not help in conquering the boardroom?

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