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A recent study published in the journal Human Resource Development International challenges the negative perceptions surrounding online gaming. Conducted by Melika Shirmohammadi, an assistant professor at the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering Division of Technology, the research suggests that playing massive multiplayer online (MMO) games can enhance workplace skills.
"Online gaming often gets a bad reputation, but our study reveals a different story. We found that gaming can actually help people develop valuable workplace skills," said Shirmohammadi. "These skills include problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and even self-confidence. Our research shows that gaming, when done in moderation, can be a way for people to grow both personally and professionally."
The study focused on MMO games such as World of Warcraft, Destiny 2, and Final Fantasy which collectively have millions of players worldwide. The research aimed to understand how MMO gaming might positively impact employees' work performance.
"The purpose of the present study was to examine hobby – an understudied but prevalent part of the nonwork domain – to understand if and how MMO gaming positively enriches employees’ work domain," explained Shirmohammadi.
The qualitative study involved 23 employed MMO gamers with an average of 20 years of video gaming experience who had played MMO games for at least 10 years. These games require players to coordinate tasks for collective goals and collaborate effectively within teams.
"Our study extends the understanding of nonwork-to-work enrichment to the MMO gaming context and reveals how a hobby, as an understudied subdomain of life, could benefit work," added Shirmohammadi.
This new perspective on online gaming aligns with a popular saying in the gaming community: "Failure doesn’t mean the game is over; it means try again with experience." The findings suggest this mindset may also apply to professional environments.