The Gamer generation are here and if they aren’t already changing your organisation…they will soon.
Arrogance – gamers often project themselves as experts in whatever they do. This probably comes from saving the universe on a daily basis – albeit virtually.
Sociability – gamers aren’t alone when they sit at their computers playing multi-player games. They are interacting socially with thousands of other players at the same time. This dynamic has redefined sociability to mean that it is no longer necessary to have met someone, in person, to consider them a friend or acquaintance.
Coordination – gamers are great multi-taskers. A recent study found gamers have the same mental agility as people who speak multiple languages. The theory is that gaming forces you to filter out the irrelevant when making decisions. This allows gamers to juggle several tasks and decisions at the same time.
Flexibility – games always have more than one way to win, or complete a task. Gamers are consequently very flexible and creative in overcoming obstacles. They are analytical, strategic, and open-minded in approaching problems.
Competitive team players – Gamers play to win, but rarely win by playing on their own. While there is an egotistical and personal ambition driving it, gamers know how to work effectively and efficiently in teams in order to achieve specific outcomes.
Insubordinate – The only authority gamers experience online is that of other gamers. There is no hierarchy other than one that is earned by game play. Gamers do not take well to being led by someone because they have a title or position that gamers didn’t see being earned. The most powerful group for criticising and disciplining gamers is their peers.
An important area for growth of virtual corporate environments is staff training. The virtualising of company training programmes will allow a company to achieve significant decreases in the cost of delivery and also the costs of supporting the training.