Real World Camaraderie through Virtual Worlds
New Models for Interdisciplinary Collaboration

What do joining the military, engaging in massively multiplayer online (MMO) adventures and competing in the world of business have in common?

1. You can only get so far on your own.


2. At some point you have to socialize and work with others for the greater good (as well as for rewards unattainable while flying solo).


3. You must participate with and rely on the assistance of others — often as an integral member of a team — most times with complete strangers who may drop the ball at any time.


4. You need the help of others as much as they need your help.


5. As a member of the team, you must meet certain performance criteria or compromise the team’s chances of success.


6. You are exposed to — and learn about — leadership by either becoming a leader yourself or by observing the successes or failures of others who have taken up the mantle before you.


7. You grow as a result.

How is engaging in massively multiplayer online (MMO) adventures different than joining the military or risking it in the world of business?

1. The real military requires a long-term investment of time and personal sacrifice which may result in one’s literal departure from this plane of existence.


2. The real world of business is an unforgiving environment that claims the corporate lives of around 70% of all new businesses within their first ten years. Certain types of skills (especially those related to working with other people) are best learned off the job.


3. The virtual world of MMOs offers a safe sandbox in which interdisciplinary teams can collaborate to tackle, overcome or fail at challenges without risk of bodily or financial harm. Furthermore, MMOs afford a plethora of opportunities in which real-world learning and personal growth can take place to enable people to better realize their strengths and weaknesses while building real-world bonds with fellow collaborators.

According to Seriosity, the following specific features of game environments can be adopted by business (or non-profit, edu, etc.) to enhance productivity, innovation and leadership:

• Incentive structures that motivate workers immediately and longer term


• Virtual economies that create a marketplace for information and collaboration


• Transparency of performance and capabilities


• Recognition for achievements


• Visibility into networks of communication across an organization

You may find the following related posts of interest:

Can World of Warcraft Teach Us to Save?

In-Game Guerilla Marketing Hits WoW

Jane McGonigal on Games in the Classroom

Beyond Design Thinking
It’s Called Design Management