Should Gaming Worlds Join the Workplace?

destinyland writes "A Stanford professor argues that gaming worlds can keep workers engaged, and advocates elements of World of Warcraft or Second Life to hone workplace skills like teamwork, leadership, and data analysis. An IBM report also argues games like World of Warcraft teach leadership and that 'there is no reason to think the same cannot be done in corporate settings of various sizes.' The professor even suggests putting online gaming experiences into your resume. ('There's just so much that gets done [in a virtual world] that's just right on target with what happens in real business.') And Google's CEO also claims that multiplayer gaming also provides good career training, especially for technology careers. 'Everything in the future online is going to look like a multiplayer game. If I were 15 years old, that's what I would be doing right now... It teaches players to build a network, to use interactive skills and thinking.'"

Dear God no.

[Senes]

I don't want work to be this endless soul crushing grind. I don't want my own experience to be considered worthless because the guy next door has the 4 str 4 stam belt. I don't want to be packed into a department of soulless adolescents who can't even talk normally. I don't want to push 90 hour weeks to hit my next milestone. I don't want my supervisor shrieking at me to get on vent for 21st century cutting edge micromanagement.

Re:Should Gaming Worlds Join the Workplace?

[JaredOfEuropa]

I would be realy hesitant to apply for work with a company sporting a "corporate dungeon master"... Sounds like being 5 minutes late for work means it's the thumbscrews for you. And "downsizing" might mean exactly what it says...

No distinction between work and play.

[Tibia1]

As virtual environments evolve and the workplace is eventually made completely virtual to eliminate transportation, the distinction between work and play will fade. People will be enjoying their jobs more, and they will be rewarded more for their efforts, as new technology (for example, the ability to manufacture super computers or robots for pennies) will provide greater wealth for everyone in society.

Re:Geek Sociologists Replacing Jock Sociologists

[Jedi Alec]

The element of a virtual world that I'd like to see in my RL workspace is a large rail gun out of Eve Online that I could use to convince clients to pay on time...

You'd likely run into tracking problems though.

Besides, even a 200mm autocannon should be more than enough to convince any client to cough up the dough. That, or a smartbomb(several kilometer range might cause some collateral damage in a corporate office though).

Re:Geek Sociologists Replacing Jock Sociologists

[KlaymenDK]

That, or a smartbomb(several kilometer range might cause some collateral damage in a corporate office though).

You obviously have no idea how dense those management types can be.

Re:Should Gaming Worlds Join the Workplace?

[ultranova]

Yes, but the "soul-sucking" part of your job is done by a succubus ;).