They don’t call it “going to play” for a living – but maybe they should. Across industries, employers are finding that the skills honed through play – skills like creative thinking, collaboration, leadership – are exactly the ones needed to meet the demands of a changing workforce. Check out this recent evidence that when it comes to the workplace, educational games are no longer merely a side quest!
At the University of Utah’s recent “Games Launch” event, students unveiled a full year of creativity, grit, and technical mastery. As reported by KSLTV, the Games Program has earned national acclaim for its hands-on approach, blending innovation with real-world readiness. Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, a proud alum, praised the program and encouraged students to “stay curious.” The Games Launch shows how serious game design can supercharge the kinds of leadership, creativity, and resilience that today’s employers crave.
A new study from the University of Houston, covered by the Houston Chronicle, shows that your late-night MMO raid team might have been leadership training in disguise. Researchers found that top-ranked MMO players build serious workplace chops, including conflict resolution, project management, and strategic problem-solving. Participants credited games like World of Warcraft with helping them lead teams and tackle complex challenges, offering a fresh angle on what it means to be job-ready.
The Independent reports that quick workplace gaming breaks might be one of the smartest moves you can make. Games like Connections and Wordle don’t just provide a distraction; they offer “recovery experiences” that restore focus, reduce burnout, and boost team spirit. Friendly competition over puzzles can spark conversations, deepen connections, and energize collaboration – making that five-minute word game a sneaky secret weapon for productivity and morale.
PC Gamer dug into research showing that gaming builds more than high scores. Studies reveal that both video games and tabletop RPGs foster emotional resilience, creativity, teamwork, and cognitive agility. Dr. Jesse Olsen of the University of Melbourne even recommends that employers embrace gaming backgrounds in interviews. As the demand for flexible, emotionally intelligent teams grows, gaming is carving out a new reputation as a legitimate driver of workplace excellence.
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Whether you’re leading a raid, cracking today’s Connections, or building the next great capstone project, the skills you sharpen through games are building blocks for a stronger, smarter workforce. In the future of work, “leveling up” might be more literal than we ever imagined.
Ready to bring more play into your work? Connect with us to explore how educational games can help your team level up their skills and stay future-ready.