As Microsoft tries to make the Teams app more social, plans to integrate some games from its Casual Games catalog are coming to fruition.
The idea of launching games on Teams was first announced in June. For some, it was an on-ramp to Microsoft’s metaverse.
Microsoft’s side argues that integrating classic Windows games into Teams, like solitaire, can improve productivity for remote and hybrid workers. “Beyond morning coffee, a puzzle or friendly competition can boost relationships, bring lightness to the workday, and create a sense of community,” said Nicole Herskowitz, vice president, in a blog post. President of Microsoft Teams.
Pilot app
The games are available in the Games for Work app, a packaged app developed by Microsoft Casual Games, part of Xbox Games Studio.
The games are ad-free, safe to work with, and available for desktop and mobile. However, the app is only available for Microsoft Teams Enterprise and Education customers.
Also, Microsoft considers it a pilot application. “Games for Work is a pilot application and its performance as well as user feedback will influence the roadmap for games in Microsoft Teams”, underlines the company, which specifies that “the current Microsoft Teams policy on games remains unchanged. until we finish the pilot”.
Games designed to unite teams
According to Nicole Herskowitz, each game emphasizes a different element of team building. The app includes ice breaker games, minesweeper, tongue games and Solitaire collection.
Microsoft promises the app blends into the flow of the workday, allowing colleagues to play together inside Teams meetings, both on desktop and mobile.
Microsoft also added a gamified polling tool called Polly in Teams and the challenge game Kahoot!.
Source: ZDNet.com