How video game technology is shaping the future of work

Video games have long been seen as toys – playthings that adults shouldn’t waste their precious time on. Yet the technology coming out of the gaming industry has major implications for the future of work, with virtual reality and multi-user platforms promising more connectivity for international companies and remote employees.

Over the past decade, game developers have been creating more technically demanding software and this has pushed hardware designers to keep bettering their platforms to accommodate state-of-the-art graphics. Even computer companies have had to beef up their products, which has led to more powerful machines that have greater functionality, even for the business world.

Gamers demand the ability to play with other users across the globe, so developers have had to create machines with built-in multi-user technology. In turn, this means businesses have benefited from a wide variety of platforms for virtual and video conferencing, communication software and the ability to connect employees in different countries to a single system through cloud technology.

A huge development in the past few years is the introduction of virtual reality (VR) such as the Oculus Rift. Eventually this could lead to truly immersive virtual meetings. Imagine a meeting that takes place in 3D right in your home or office where the other delegates might be on opposite sides of the world. VR headsets use multiple screens to create a 3D environment for the user and it’s entirely possible for the technology to be adapted for business use – some virtual meeting providers are already in the early stages of adding support for VR technology.

User engagement techniques implemented in modern games are also being used in training programmes. It’s a psychology-based concept that keeps users coming back and it’s being used by companies such as Deloitte to engage users enough to keep them interested in their training.

While some of the technology is expensive now, as more developers get on board to capture the business market we could see prices decrease. Either way, video games are shaping more than just the leisure market – the future of work is changing as a result. It’s up to companies to decide how they’re going to use these platforms themselves.

Based on an article from the Harvard Business Review by Katy Tynan. Read the original piece at bit.ly/1SG2K1T