Microsoft has released its Games for Work app, which allows Teams users to build stronger connections and boost team morale by playing games.
Reports surfaced earlier this year that Microsoft was in the process of testing the ability for users to play games during Teams meetings.
The app has been developed by Microsoft Casual Games, an Xbox Games Studio, and will allow Teams users to play games such as Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Wordament.
Jill Braff, General Manager of Integrations and Casual Games, Microsoft, commented: “Over 3 billion people around the world play games, serving a crucial role in bringing people together – especially during these last few years.
“Games promote creativity, collaboration and communication in powerful and unique ways, and we can’t wait to see how the Games for Work app on Microsoft Teams inspires productivity and helps foster connections in the workplace.”
Microsoft says the games are easy to play in quick, interactive, and multiplayer versions, with some allowing up to 250 players to participate.
The company has confirmed that all the games are safe for work (“E” rated) and will be ad-free.
The games are designed to emphasise a different element of team building as a way of allowing users to build trust and connections with their colleagues in a hybrid work environment.
Once the app is added to the Teams platform, users can seamlessly enjoy the experience within Teams meeting whether they are on a desktop or mobile device.
Microsoft Solitaire Collection
Solitaire is designed to provide a head-to-head competition by encouraging group participation.
The multiplayer capability of this game, along with a spectator mode, allows everyone to follow the game’s action and engage with the players on-screen.
Microsoft IceBreakers
According to Microsoft, IceBreakers has been designed to encourage new teams to communicate and learn about each other within a hybrid working environment.
An example of how the game works would be: “pineapple or pepperoni on your pizza”.
The idea is that meeting participants will answer the questions to spur conversation to foster connections, and boost morale.
Microsoft Wordament
Microsoft has enabled Wordament to be played by up to 250 participants at any one time.
The company says that the game creates healthy team competition via word challenges.
Microsoft Minesweeper
According to Microsoft, this is the most cooperative game out of the four released for Teams.
The company states the game is designed to encourage individuals to come together to solve problems and accomplish objectives quickly.
Microsoft has confirmed that the Games for Work app is available for free now.
In the October update, Microsoft announced updates across meetings, calling, certified devices, chat and collaboration, custom development, analytics, frontline workers and education, and government.
For Teams meetings, organisers can now assign seats in Together mode, helping virtual meetings to feel more like in-person meetings.
Users can pop out shared meeting content in a separate window, allowing them to view both meeting participants and shared content at the same time.
Previously, only individual Teams chat, meeting, and calling could be popped out into a separate window.
