IBM exec: Games are great for employees
by Mike Schramm 
Jan 1st 2009 at 5:00PM
Hot on the heels of last week's news that employers are staying away from hiring WoW players comes this article from the BBC, quoting an IBM executive who says that gamers are actually exactly the kind of people you want on a team: David Laux, global executive in charge of games and interactive entertainment (wait, maybe that's why he's so keen on game players) says that casual games can improve memorization and the abilty to discern details, first person shooters can help with rapid decision making, and games like World of Warcraft can boost leadership skills. He says WoW specifically helps players learn how to work well on a team, assess risks, and put the group first to achieve a common goal.Which is true -- if you're actually the one in charge of groups. I'm of the opinion that it's very possible to play a game like WoW and get a nice boost to your leadership skills (leading a guild is often a job in itself), but I think it's also very possible that you could play WoW and not get a thing out of it -- I know quite a few people I've grouped with that I'd never want to have sitting next to me in a real office.
The bottom line, as always, is somewhere inbetween the two opinions. If you're already interested in taking charge and being a leader, WoW is a great simlulation to let you do those things. And if you're already a lazy worker and interested in helping yourself more than whatever team you're on, WoW probably won't cure you of that (there are certainly plenty of selfish people running around the game every day). In short, if your hiring policies are based on whether or not someone plays videogames, you might want to reconsider them completely.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Virtual selves, Guilds, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Instances
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zeplar Jan 1st 2009 5:17PM
I would not want a manager making 'rapid decisions' based on his point+click FPS skills.
Alkaios Jan 1st 2009 5:27PM
^this
Fizzl Jan 2nd 2009 7:55AM
It's more to do with the speed at wich you can access a situation with lots of controlled and uncontrolled variables without stopping what you are doing. Also how observent you are and how well you can pick up on small details.
The sterotype of the kid who goes into a fit of rage every time he dies isn't what we are talking about, the people who are really good at FPS games stay relaxed, focused, always learning and making plans.
Andrew Jan 1st 2009 5:55PM
This is all just posturing of late, on both sides. Video game social commentary is the new celebrity-on-politics.
Nick S Jan 1st 2009 5:59PM
WoW also teaches one how to follow, an oft-overlooked skill. The ability to put your ego aside and accept authority is immensely useful to employers.
AutumnBringer Jan 1st 2009 6:23PM
Perhaps games, like most things in life, are something you can glean valuable lessons from - or absolutely nothing - and someone's participation or lack of shouldn't be used as a point of evaluation for employment ... well unless you're applying at a gaming related company :P
Liel Jan 1st 2009 6:37PM
Something I notice in Wow players via my coworkers. Online they are "in charge" in real life they are pretty meek, it would be nice if people could not hide behind anonymity to be the person they want to be,
Rava Jan 1st 2009 9:41PM
Seems like everyone if waking up to the power of the MMO - Today the Daily Telegraph (English Newspaper) published this story:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/4060646/Video-games-like-World-of-Warcraft-and-Second-Life-could-be-used-for-education.html
Explaining how MMO's can educate children by teaching the skills such as the ones mentioned above.
syberghost Jan 1st 2009 11:41PM
Within my office, nearly all of the smartest folks who architect applications for the entire company (which means they design software that drives systems with which 99% of you reading this have interacted) play WoW. Nearly all of the worthless losers who can't be counted on to do anything without constant direct supervision do so as well.
People play WoW because they're getting something out of it; what they're getting varies. The bottom line to me is, whether or not somebody plays WoW is meaningless in terms of whether or not they'd be good at most jobs. There are exceptions; most of them on Blizzard's Careers page.
Barnister Jan 2nd 2009 4:55AM
And this is new and news because...?
Chris Anthony Jan 2nd 2009 9:25AM
You know, I was going to write out a long reply to this, but then I realized that really all I wanted was to get in a Howard Beale reference, and judging by your comment history, you probably wouldn't understand it anyway.
Instead, I'll just say this: you, sir, are a class A nuisance, and the internet would be a markedly better place if you left it.
Barnister Jan 2nd 2009 9:48AM
It's a valid question imo.
It's new and news because...?
I mean this news is pretty old. Research, data, statistics and whatnot concerning workplace, employees and games have been all over the internet for a very long time now.
And wowinsider is posting it just now...?
Old news, really...
William Jan 2nd 2009 2:02PM
WowInsider is a blog. Not a news site. They post things that interest them and comment on it, much like any other blog. Sometimes the things that interest them happen to ALSO be news. A lot of times, the news is interesting and the authors here want to comment on it. Nowhere does it say, however, that they are required to post breaking news. It's a blog and should be treated as such. Which is why that other guy called you a nuisance. Because there are thousands of good comments available to be made and you have to make one like "this is old news." which happens, in this case, to be irrelevant. Capice?
CavalierX Jan 2nd 2009 11:48AM
Several of us in my workplace (2nd-level HW/SW tech support) are WoW players. We often jokingly refer to the tasks we are assigned as "quests," and when a user occasionally gives negative feedback, we realise we've "pulled agro." At that point we know we're in for a "boss fight." We stop short of assigning derogatory names to individuals, as that kind of thing inevitably gets out. However, there is a certain area to which none of like to go, as we always get nearly assaulted by the "hey, can you look at my problem while you're here?" people. We refer to it as Murloc Row. Everyone hates getting a quest for Murloc Row.