We've covered the IBM/Seriosity study before -- that's the one that said players who are able to organize and lead guilds can use those same skills to succeed in the workplace. Just recently, Computerworld sat down to chat with Seriosity co-founder Byron Reeves, who's since used his research to actually develop ways for companies to use MMO-style gameplay in the workplace, including creating a currency system to develop and manage interactions between employees.It's very interesting stuff. Reeves says that MMO games and the leaders in them are a prime example of the environment creating the leader, not necessarily the talents of the person themselves -- when a game gives you the tools and influences necessary to have you leading a guild, you'll do a good job at it. He also says that the speed of online games can be a huge benefit to workers -- when you need to organize groups fast ingame, those skills will directly translate to running groups in real life.
Not everything is the same -- Reeves admits that the risks are much smaller when running around a virtual world (no one loses their livelihood if you don't down a boss), and there's a lot more transparency in games -- you can know characters' levels and specs, but you can't really know exactly how much experience your employees have or what they're really good at just by looking them up in the Armory. The interview is definitely an interesting read for anyone who's ever lead a guild or a workplace -- it's becoming more and more apparently that there are many lessons to be learned across both.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-14-2008 @ 5:53PM
quamaretto said...
This reminds me heavily of Alistair Cockburn, an influential writer in software development who terms software development (at least using his ideas) "a cooperative game - a finite, goal-seeking, group game centered around invention and communication."
I've frequently seen the parallels between problems in the guild I run with and the "solution developer" where I work; the lack of reflection, lack of commitment are constantly killing projects and boss attempts.
I highly recommend a reading of "Peopleware" or the non-technical parts of "Joel on Software" to raid leaders and other guild officers who like to think about these things.
See http://alistair.cockburn.us/
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5-14-2008 @ 6:24PM
Reddeth said...
"(no one loses their livelihood if you don't down a boss)"
Actually, if you and your co-workers get together and kill your boss, even if it _is_ a great team-building exercise, I would expect some gap in your income-stream.
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5-15-2008 @ 1:11PM
forthepie said...
This comment wins.
I also like Mage's comment, it does make it sound like we do have a good leadership training program. I am not saying it would be something I put on my resume though.
5-14-2008 @ 6:25PM
Phemur said...
I'm not sure I see why online games are any different from other extra curricular activities. Wouldn't the experience gained from leading a softball team or volunteer group be just as valuable as leading an MMO guild?
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5-26-2008 @ 6:06PM
Sarcasmic123 said...
Yeah, it would probably be the same. Though, I don't think putting down "Leader of a Wow guild" the extra curricular activities section of your resume would be a reputable venture.
5-14-2008 @ 7:03PM
Rich said...
Captain of (insert a Sport) team for the last 3 years = Respectable...
Raid/Guild Leader of the #1 raiding guild on my WoW Server = ROFL that's funny, grow up and get a real hobby.
That's not how we as gamers think if it, but that's how my boss would...
All the business meetings and lunches I've done video games come up as "My kid spends all day playing thing." Usually all the conversions revolve around golf or football.
5-14-2008 @ 7:53PM
Tarn said...
The difference between WoW and most other activities you'd stick on a CV is that most other activities take a finite amount of time to get through - not many people manage to play football for fifteen to thirty hours a week for example but WoW is sort of known for taking a lot of time playing, preparing to play or analysing the previous play and as an interviewer myself, I usually have some concerns about their ability to do the job with all that in mind and its too much of a risk once I hear someone mention Illidan.
By all means, mention the raiding but if you're a member of a hardcore progression guild you might want to tone it down.
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5-14-2008 @ 7:55PM
VSUReaper said...
I took a Leadership class at my University as a perspective, and I related all of my points in my final paper to Wow. My teacher was so impressed with all of the leadership opportunities, she decided she wanted to try her hand at playing.
Also, ironically enough, the 4 people that got A's in the class all played Wow, and were all either Guild Leaders or Officers/Raid Leaders.
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5-15-2008 @ 1:50PM
darian said...
Hah! I wrote my final sociology paper on WoW, 100% grade. My professor was absolutely fascinated and tried to discuss it at the dinner table, but both his daughter and his sister immediately vetoed the subject. Apparently they were having trouble with their SOs over the game.
5-14-2008 @ 9:17PM
mage said...
@4
As head of a 400 person group I was responsible for leading 8 managers in the recruitment and development of 25 person project teams with very specific technical, skill and training requirements to achieve time-sensitive goals that were coordinated over 12 time zones on 3 continents while maintaining communications, fiscal responsibility, and team building for the group as a whole in order to meet individual and group needs and expectations.
or I guess you could say "I played WOW with some of my friends and we did stuff." yeah that will look great on a resume ;-)
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5-15-2008 @ 7:17AM
Tarn said...
Yeah but questions may be raised when your referees are "Evildevil, Level 70 Paladin, Archimonde Server"
5-14-2008 @ 10:51PM
Vaylix said...
Great article, Mike! It always seems like the leaders of my past guilds have been good leaders in general.
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5-15-2008 @ 9:09AM
Badger said...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzToNo7A-94
WE *ALWAYS* PUT A COVER ... ON OUR D.P.S. REPORTS!!!
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5-15-2008 @ 9:51AM
Alderkin said...
"We've covered the IBM/Seriosity study before..."
So it's official now. WoW is Serios bizness.
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5-15-2008 @ 12:23PM
Mike Schramm said...
Very nice.