The Game of Avatars: What can Managers Learn from Playing Video Games?
The pandemic has turned our world upside down, and we now live in a time when Zoom is the new place for water cooler banter, video games are the new happy hour and late-night shows, and online shopping is the new retail therapy — all evidence that the digital world really is the new reality. We are moving toward a disembodied world where the Metaverse will change the way we interact and socialize. The advancement and proliferation of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) are expected to revolutionize the way we think and act as humans.
Making sense of the real world and escaping into the world of avatars
Behind and in these advances are humans fundamentally transformed by the collective trauma of the COVID pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, nearly one billion people lived with a mental disorder; anxiety and depressive disorders were the most prevalent. In 2020, these disorders rose by 26% (anxiety) and 28% (depression). In many countries, access to treatment remains limited; in others, discrimination and stigma make it nearly impossible.
During the pandemic, people tried making sense of being locked down, to escape the pain, and to adapt to the “new normal” As is always the case with anxiety caused by ambiguity, people developed alternative explanations in order to find hope and cope with the fear. Conspiracy theories are a great example of how effective narratives are in helping people cope. The pandemic also led to an increase in demand for entertaining narratives. People were looking for ways to pass their time and escape the stress of the real world. This led to an increase in entertainment industry revenues, including the gaming sector, as more people used video games for entertainment and social interaction.
The gaming industry is projected to reach $221.40 billion in 2023, since more than 3.2. billion people worldwide play VIDEO games. What’s even more impressive is the growth of Mobile Games, with a market volume of $172.10 billion in 2023. All entertainment is based on a strong narrative; otherwise, it would be dull and uninteresting.
People have always been attracted to stories. But what is it about stories that makes them so fascinating? Stories help us make sense of the world around us. They give us an understanding of complex concepts and allow us to explore different ideas and perspectives. Narratives evoke empathy in the reader. When we read about characters facing complex challenges, we feel compassion for them and want to see them succeed. This connection is what makes entertainment so powerful and addictive. It inspires hope. No matter how grim a situation, a well-told story offers the possibility of a brighter future and the courage to face its difficulties.
What are the underlying mechanics of compelling narratives?
Narratives are so compelling because they immerse us. Transportation theory in psychology states that people enjoy narratives because they allow them to become completely immersed in the story and forget their worries in the real world. The person’s attention and emotions are drawn to the narrative through empathy, resulting in a temporary escape from reality. The more a person is transported into a narrative, the more likely they are to experience positive emotions and engage with the story. Narrative transportation can be achieved through various elements such as well-developed characters, vivid settings, and a compelling plot. Transportation effect strength is particularly evident in aesthetic storytelling, which focuses on using words to create beautiful images. This type of storytelling often uses poetic devices such as metaphors and similes to create an evocative experience for the reader.
Narrative transportation also has clinical implications. Bibliotherapy is a form of therapy that uses books, stories, and other written materials to help people manage their emotions and cope with psychological problems. It works by giving people access to stories and characters with whom they can identify. Reading about the experiences of others can help people better understand their own feelings and thoughts, and it can also give them ideas about how to deal with their problems. Research reports suggest that bibliotherapy could be important in treating serious mental health issues.
Brands are moving into the Metaverse, workspaces are being envisioned as Metaverse real estate, yet video games are rarely present on corporate strategy slides.
A frequently mentioned application of gamified narratives and identity transportation into the virtual world is the Metaverse. The metaverse is designed to be more expansive than video games, encompassing all aspects of life, including work and leisure. About 20 years ago, a similarly envisioned digital platform, “Second Life,” was released for PC. Second Life is considered a pioneer of the metaverse concept, as it was one of the first virtual worlds to allow users to create and interact with each other in a 3D online space. Although Second Life was not released as a game, users were able to create their avatars, purchase virtual real estate, and participate in various activities with other users around the world, such as attending concerts or participating in games. In other words, the foundation for the virtual worlds we know today.
Before Metaverse was spectacularly announced, another popular video game tested the concept in higher fidelity. Fortnite (estimated to have around 400 million users and between 2.9 and 4 million active players at any moment) partnered with the world-renowned rapper Travis Scott to create the first global virtual concert where you can interact with other players and engage with the artist, amassing 199 million views just on YouTube to this day. This helped brands realize just how profitable the world of gaming is for the exploration of other uses outside “simply” playing.
Today, for example, Minecraft is being used for education in schools. The potential for adverse effects of gaming, such as addiction, decline in performance, and deterioration of mental health, have long been known and researched. However, a decade-long study conducted on 11,000 children aged five years as part of the U.K. Millennium Cohort Study found no effects on behavior, attention, or emotional problems in boys or girls. As long as there is a healthy balance between enjoying video games and interacting with peers under parental supervision, video games appear to be perfectly safe.
To illustrate how games can expand knowledge, it is worth noting that in Minecraft there is a virtual repository with a wide body of knowledge. Basically, it is the modern library of Alexandria. At the same time, the ability to turn complex problems into video game formats has triggered the rise of gamification since gamers have been able to outperform established scientists. In just three weeks, online gamers were able to decipher the structure of a retrovirus protein that stumped scientists working on a new AIDS drug design for over a decade. So games truly aren’t just about playing.
Why are narratives so effective in video games?
Over time, game developers recognized the potential for more complex narratives in video games. This led to a shift toward more story-oriented titles that offered players a novel, immersive experience. Today, there is hardly a modern game that does not contain narrative elements. Video games are so compelling and engaging because they transport us to another world where we can be who we want, do anything we want, and overcome any challenge that comes our way. Narrative engagement works in video games because games have powerful storytelling tools, such as cut-scenes, music, voice-overs, and character development. Narrative can be used to engage players and make them feel emotionally connected to the game world, especially through the use of symbols to condense information and evoke responses.
Symbolism is important in games because it helps players connect with characters and the plot on a deeper level than mere language allows. It also allows developers to convey complex messages without explanations or tutorials. Ultimately, this makes games more immersive and exciting for players. By representing objects and concepts in abstract terms, games can create unique visual elements that help players understand complex ideas. The video game Flower, for example, uses petals to represent emotions such as joy, love, and happiness. The point of a metaphor is to convey emotional content to the player, not to explain it directly. You do not have to understand the subtleties of the metaphor, but you are invited to interpret its meaning.
What happens when you play video games?
You become the player essential to the game. Video games are the most immersive kind of storytelling. And that’s exactly why they work. They allow you to experience a story, it becomes real — a narrative. You become an active participant in a virtual, imaginary world. You play the video game by embodying a particular protagonist and exposing it to the narrative. ‘Playing’ is a term used in many different ways, but generally it refers to an activity performed for pleasure. The definition of play is to engage in an activity for pleasure and recreation. Play can take many different forms, such as sports, games, or simply spending time with friends. It is an important part of child development and helps children learn new skills, explore their creativity, and have fun.
Games allow us to visit imaginary landscapes beyond our imagination and to participate in and enjoy like-minded communities. And gameplay is just a vehicle for the emotional narrative you are immersed in. Like any other story, the protagonist you play in a video game wants to do something. Game mechanics are the obstacles that force you to work on certain mechanical aspects (like timing your roll and counterattack in a boss fight) or certain intellectual challenges like puzzles to solve. You play the game by overcoming mechanical obstacles while enjoying the beautiful scenery that the artists have come up with. Great games have mechanics that complement each other and keep you learning and trying something new, leaving you with a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you solve the puzzle.
Transportation theory in video game narratives is like a magical adventure. The more you get involved in the story, the more you feel like you’re a part of it. This can happen if the story has cool characters, an interesting world, and a good plot. When that happens, you forget about the real world and have fun!
Living in the virtual world of avatars has its disadvantages.
The virtual world provides a space where people can control and shape their desired image, allowing them to present themselves as they want to be seen without being subject to the constraints of the real world. Living in the virtual world of avatars can lead to an abundance of likes, followers, and comments that satisfy a person’s need for validation and admiration.
Social media is an excellent example of a virtual world where people can carefully craft their personal narrative toward grandiosity. Platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn can provide a platform for self-promotion, which can appeal to people with narcissistic tendencies who want to maximize their personal success and status. People with narcissistic tendencies may crave attention, admiration, and validation from others and may be particularly attracted to such platforms.
The algorithmic structure of various social media platforms encourages users to seek attention and validation by rewarding posts with likes, comments, and followers, which can create a feedback loop in which narcissistic behavior is reinforced and amplified. Not surprisingly, individuals with narcissistic tendencies are hired and promoted to leadership positions because they portray their behavior as confident and competent.
Video games can be particularly attractive to people (including managers) with narcissistic tendencies because they provide opportunities for personal validation and achievement. In the world of video games, they are all simply “players” Video games often provide a sense of control and the opportunity to outperform others, which can be particularly appealing to individuals with high levels of sub-clinical narcissistic behavior. In video games, players can become the hero of their own story and receive immediate feedback or rewards for their actions.
Players with narcissistic tendencies may seek games that allow them to craft and portray their accomplishments or characters in ways that reinforce their personal image. Transporting one’s identity into single-player games often means that protagonists live in idealized worlds in which they become heroes, creating the seemingly ideal venue for the display of narcissistic traits. In reality, single-player games lack the component of human attention that people with narcissistic traits seek.
In multiplayer games, however, there is a lot of human attention. They provide an interesting platform for people with narcissistic tendencies to showcase their skills and gain the attention of other players. The competitive nature of multiplayer games and the associated audience make them particularly attractive, but they also highlight the toxic nature of people with narcissistic tendencies. Toxic behaviors such as bullying or trolling other players to boost one’s own ego are common in the virtual world, especially among managers with narcissistic tendencies who may place their own success above the success of their team or group. These behaviors go beyond the world of video games and are also evident in the workplace.
But playing videogames is a humbling experience.
Managers with narcissistic tendencies may excel in certain areas, but their lack of consideration for others can be detrimental to team dynamics and overall company success. Selfishness, grandiose arrogance and egocentricity in the workplace inevitably lead to conflict and ultimately hinder one’s progress, especially in diverse workplaces.
The steep learning curve of playing certain video games is a particularly humbling experience. Single-player titles like Dark Souls have a steep learning curve and relentless enemies. The game mechanics are designed to force the player to learn from mistakes and repeat battles until they master a certain sequence.
Repeated failure is a humbling experience for anyone, especially managers with narcissistic tendencies, as failure calls into question their perceived grandiosity and reduces the room for exaltation. Another example of a lesson in humility is multiplayer games, where there is always someone better or more skilled. These experiences can help teach managers with narcissistic tendencies that superficial qualities alone are not enough to succeed.
While video games often provide a sense of individual accomplishment, many games also require teamwork and coordination to succeed. By working together and recognizing the contributions of others, managers with narcissistic tendencies can build stronger teams and achieve greater success. They can also learn through video games the importance of setting realistic goals and celebrating their team’s accomplishments, not just their own success.
Aside from lessons on humility for managers with narcissistic tendencies, video games can help players develop their problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. And since most video games require players to work together to achieve a common goal, improved collaboration skills easily translate to the workplace.
Unlike social media, which offers “the new approach” that you scroll past at best, games offer different insights and understanding of current events. It is a topic that attracts broad and completely different communities, which can help understand what is of interest to new generations and build stronger connections with future customers. Understanding gaming trends helps foster inter-generational relationships (e.g., talking to younger colleagues who play a particular video game), but also mitigates the risk of being left behind and disconnected from the new Zeitgeist — a current reality for younger generations.
Are you a manager and still aren’t playing video games? Here’s a couple of reasons why you should try.
Gaming, thanks to its unique approach, offers the opportunity to develop unique skills that can be easily applied to various problems in the business environment, the main one being the effectiveness of communication.
Let’s take the case of a multiplayer game where your teammates are the members of your workplace team. The video game Destiny 2, and your teammates and you fight difficult opponents by teaming up and using different characters with different abilities, strengths and weaknesses. You’ll be able to defeat these difficult “boss fights” by working together and combining a strong Titan (protector) to absorb damage, an agile Warlock (medic) to heal players, and a vigilant Hunter to inflict the most damage to enemies, but absorb less damage in return. As team members play together and advance the story one brutal enemy at a time, improvements are easy to see:
- Team communication. Working on simple tasks in virtual worlds helps build a foundation for increasingly complex real-world situations (e.g., “go left” or “open the red door on the count of 3,” etc.)
- Team cohesion. When teams communicate effectively, they are better able to learn from different experiences. When they complete video game tasks together, their learning curve position increases. Each team member has a specific role, and by repeating certain tasks, the team is better able to achieve a desired objective.
- Team trust. When team communication and cohesion improve through video games, team members trust each other more. They have certain shared experiences and characteristics that they can talk about and bond with each other. For example, a video game about scuba diving where there is only one oxygen tank with limited capacity. Players must take turns breathing from the oxygen tank while completing certain tasks that become more complex as the game progresses.
- Team creativity. Exposure to a new environment is an exciting incentive. When players from different company departments solve the same problem on the same team, they bring different perspectives to the table. These different perspectives help find the optimal solution to an abstract problem, which in turn leads to divergent thinking. For example, a team member from engineering might have a different solution to a puzzle game problem than a person from supply chain or marketing.
And we realize the videogame ecosystem is immense: “After doing some research, our total comes out to 1181019. This includes 33554 games on Steam, 199 games on Uplay, 3125 games on GoG, 327491 games on Google Play, 811911 games on the App Store, 1893 games for the PS4, 1760 games for the Xbox One, and 2330 games for the Nintendo Switch“. So in an effort to help you navigate this ecosystem, we have curated a list of video games to consider n the Appendix.
Reframing how we feel about video games could help us rebuild ourselves, our teams and our workplaces — while preparing for the future in the Metaverse.
Playing video games as a team can have a positive impact on team dynamics by promoting communication, strengthening cohesion, increasing trust, and stimulating creativity among diverse team members, which can lead to better interdepartmental synergy. They also help us make other contacts and re-engage socially after three awkward years. And finally, they give us the opportunity to work through old and new feelings.
Managers who don’t play video games risk losing out and missing an opportunity in a rapidly changing world where gaming is becoming increasingly important and accepted. As more and more people enjoy and spend time playing game sin the workplace (some report even up to 80% of employees playing video games while working), these managers run the risk of isolating themselves and losing touch with their colleagues and the culture at large.
Playing video games can help you stay connected and relevant with the new workforce that spends most of their free time playing video games. As a result, managers who don’t play video games will soon be perceived as outdated and not quite up to speed on the latest trends and innovations in the business world. Therefore, it’s best for managers to get involved in gaming and experience the many benefits it can offer. Free yourself from your FOMO and start playing, either alone or with other players worldwide!
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This article was written by
Antonio Sadaric is passionately curious about organizational symbolism, corporate cultism and general mechanisms of social learning in various contexts. His consulting work at BUFFED focuses on leadership upskilling and helping (fin)tech scale-ups humanize organizational development. Co-author of Capt. Bossman’s Workplace Stories — the world’s first picture book for professionals. Plays Fortnite with his GenZ cousins poorly.
Carin-Isabel Knoop leads the Harvard Business School’s research and case writing group and has helped HBS faculty members write more than 200 case studies on organizations and managers around the world. Learning about managers’ challenges pushed her to make their lives better, which lead to the publication of Compassionate Management of Mental Health at Work with Professor John A Quelch (Springer, 2018). She also co-founded HSIO (Human Sustainability Inside Out), and speaks and publishes about mental health in the U.S., French, and Spanish-language spheres. She is fond of soft-serve ice cream, pragmatic idealists, and postcard writing. Enjoyed Second Life before it was cool.
Goran Subanovic is a seasoned trade development manager with over 20 years of FMCG experience and a knack for digital and AI products. Creative by nature and structured by nurture, he enjoys thinking of novel ideas and implementing innovations. When not at work, he’s fully engaged in his passion for gaming. Being an avid gamer, he sees gaming as a powerful medium for creating new connections and experiences beyond the norm. Mass Effect aficionado.
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APPENDIX
Here’s a quick overview of the most popular games in each genre that are friendly to new users. They are easy and fun to play for first-time players:
Puzzle adventure: Try out Portal 1. It’s easy and intuitive, and if you want to experience the joy of playing with a friend, try Portal 2, which supports multiplayer. This game is particularly good at developing problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills.
Real life simulation: Have you tried the famous SIMS yet? Sims 4 is a great example of how a video game can help develop time management and decision-making abilities or even help you start a healthy routine because your Sim character decided to stick to it.
Sandbox: If you like doing your own thing and creating a relaxing atmosphere, try the famous Minecraft. You can play meaningful scenarios and try to survive in the wilderness or explore previously built worlds and collect various resources to build different items. This game is great at stimulating creativity and helps develop spatial skills.
Action adventures: The legendary Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a great example of how a video game can help develop problem-solving skills while enjoying the adventure.
Real-time strategies: Starcraft is a great example of how a video game can challenge your strategic thinking, being mindful of resource accumulation, resource management andaddressing priorities depending on the activity of your opponents. From building complex buildings and expanding your base to tactically developing your military with unique units that have specific strengths and weaknesses, you work towards outsmarting your opponent and making the most of the geostrategic position you have randomly been assigned to on the map.
Turn-based strategies: Civilization VI enables you to challenge the course of history and imagine alternative progressions. Have you ever wondered what the Roman Empire would look like in 2023? Find out for yourself and enjoy the perk of training your strategic thinking, decision-making and resource management skills.
Role playing games: If you’re into developing your own character to the slightest detail and seeing how your slightest decisions have far-reaching consequences, try Mass Effect. A cult classic in video games that challenges our own perception of life and how flexible our moral code actually is.
Our resident expert on video games, Goran, assures all first-time players who hesitate to try these titles how easy it is to understand them after the obligatory introductory tutorial. Just sit back and enjoy!
