Online game competition provider WorldWinner has unveiled the results of a survey examining whether playing casual online games at work enhances employee creativity, energy and overall productivity.

The survey, which involved more than 500 players who compete at worldwinner.com, reveals new reasons workers take time out of their day to play casual games. Among them, more than 80 per cent of respondents who play online games during the workday feel better-focussed on work as a result of periodic mental breaks associated with game play; 76 per cent report improved productivity; and 72 per cent rely on game breaks to reduce job-related stress.

Workplace benefits of gameplay

Recent studies suggest that a growing number of workers are seeking alternative ways to reduce stress while on the job; and a great many of them are turning to casual word, card and puzzle computer games. According to WorldWinner, more than 60 per cent of gamers who play games during their workday use brain teasers, including puzzle/strategy games and card games, as a form of therapy during the day.

When asked how gameplay recharges their creative drive, a large majority of respondents answered that online games “take my mind off of work for a few minutes” or “calm me down after something has frustrated me.”

According to the survey findings, 34 per cent of respondents play online games during working hours. Of these respondents, just over half (52 per cent) play games periodically throughout the day, as opposed to during lunch time or other breaks. In addition, about two-thirds (66 per cent) said game breaks comprised 30 minutes; 14 percent reported playing for 30 to 60 minutes throughout their workday.

“This survey further reinforces the growth trends we are seeing in the online games industry. Increasingly, people are turning to these games for more than entertainment,” said Peter Blacklow, president, WorldWinner.

Gamer Profile

Nearly 60 per cent of respondents are employed full-time, with 32 per cent self-employed. Almost half are employed outside of the home while a third work within the home. The top three industries represented include retail/wholesale trade (11%), healthcare (8%) and education (7%) – while IT vocations accounted for just 5 per cent. Sales and general administration were the top two functional areas reported, with career level varying widely from executives to administrative staff.