Games in the workplace? Surely you have to work at one of those trendy Web 2.0 companies who foster employee happiness with beanbag-strewn chillout zones with Xbox 360s in them? But no, it seems that 70% of major employers are already using game-like simulations for training their workforces. That's according to a survey released by games industry trade body the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
Other findings from the study said that of the businesses and non-profit organisations who are using game-like training, 75% plan to do more of it in the next 3-5 years, while of those not already doing it, 78% plan to introduce it in the next five years. It should provide a huge boost to anyone working in the serious games market, not to mention those companies focused on corporate use of virtual worlds.
So what are companies using these video game based training tools for? The ESA says compliance training, training for specific job functions, IT training, management training and customer service training, not to mention the all-important ‘Can I Deliberately Lose To The Managing Director At Halo 3 While Playing Well Enough To Earn Their Respect’ training. Okay, I did make that last one up, but you know it happens…
Meanwhile, the ESA’s survey revealed various benefits to game-based training, including cost reduction, more efficient and faster training, and better information retention. The poll surveyed 150 US companies and non-profit organisations earlier this year.
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