10 Online Games & Team Building Platforms for Remote Workers

As remote work becomes increasingly normal, gone are the days of water-cooler chats and in-person team outings. In a virtual world,  how do we keep our teams engaged, connected, and motivated in this new landscape?

This is where online games for remote teams come in. These digital tools are a fun diversion and a powerful means of building stronger, more effective remote teams. Virtual games can bridge the distance between remote workers, promoting collaboration, enhancing communication, and injecting a much-needed dose of fun into the workday.

In this article, we’ll delve into the importance of team building for remote teams and the role of online games in fostering that sense of unity. We will also provide a roundup of the top 10 online games and platforms making waves in the remote work. We’ll also share some practical tips for seamlessly integrating these games into your team’s routine.

So whether you’re hiring a fully distributed team or adapting to a hybrid work model, this guide will offer valuable insights to help you navigate team building in the digital age. Buckle up and get ready for a deep dive into virtual team building!

The Importance of Team Building for Remote Teams

At its core, team building fosters trust, encourages communication, and promotes collaboration among team members. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and connected.

This can be achieved in a traditional office setting through face-to-face interactions, shared experiences, and spontaneous conversations. However, remote work changes the dynamics.

When teams are dispersed geographically, it’s easy for individuals to feel isolated or disconnected from their colleagues. The lack of physical proximity can lead to communication challenges, misunderstandings, or even feelings of alienation. This is where virtual team building comes in.

Online team-building activities differ from in-person team-building in several ways. For one, they require a deliberate effort to create shared experiences in a digital space. They also involve leveraging technology to bridge the distance and develop a sense of unity among team members. This could be through a video call, online game, virtual coffee break, or other digital interactions.

Moreover, successful virtual team building requires understanding the unique challenges and opportunities that remote work presents. It means acknowledging remote employees might have different needs and constraints and adapting your team-building strategies accordingly.

In essence, team building for remote teams is not just about replicating in-person experiences in a digital format. It’s about embracing the unique dynamics of remote work and leveraging them to build stronger, more cohesive teams. It’s a critical component of remote work success and can yield significant benefits regarding employee engagement, productivity, and overall team synergy.

The Role of Online Games in Virtual Team Building

Virtual team-building games are not just about fun and entertainment. They serve a larger purpose: fostering collaboration and communication among team members, who may be scattered across different time zones or continents.

Online games can bring remote teams together in a relaxed, informal setting, allowing them to interact and engage with each other outside the context of work. This can help break down barriers and foster a sense of camaraderie among team members.

The shared experiences and laughter from playing games together can go a long way in building relationships and trust within the team.

Moreover, many online team games require members to work together towards a common goal, promoting collaboration. These games can also enhance communication skills, as team members need to articulate their ideas clearly and listen to others to succeed.

However, the benefits of using online games for team building don’t stop there. Research shows that virtual games not only help individuals fulfill their roles effectively but also enable them to tap into the collective intelligence of the team.

Online office games can stimulate intellectual engagement and boost team performance by presenting challenges that require creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.

An online team-building game can infuse enjoyment into the workday, boosting team morale and job satisfaction. They can also provide a much-needed break from work, helping to reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Overview of Types of Online Games for Remote Teams

The vast landscape of online gaming offers a multitude of options that can cater to diverse tastes and preferences. These games can turn virtual team building into an exciting and engaging experience while also cultivating skills like strategic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Let’s briefly examine some popular types of remote team-building games that can be enjoyed together.

1. Strategy Games: These games require players to plan, strategize, and make decisions to achieve a specific outcome. They encourage critical thinking and collaboration, making them an excellent choice for honing leadership and decision-making skills.

2. Trivia Games: Trivia games test players’ knowledge in various domains, from history and science to popular culture and sports. They can be a fun and educational way for team members to learn new things while engaging in friendly competition.

3. Puzzle Games: Puzzle games challenge players to solve complex problems using logic and creativity. They can stimulate intellectual engagement and promote collaborative problem-solving, making them a great tool for brain-storming sessions.

4. Adventure Games: Adventure games take players on a virtual journey, often involving quests or missions. They can foster teamwork and cooperation as players must work together to overcome obstacles and reach their goals.

5. Simulation Games: These games replicate real-world situations or processes, providing a platform for players to learn and practice skills in a risk-free environment.

6. Social Deduction Games: Players must use their intuition and deduction skills to identify the impostor among them in these games. They can be a fun way to enhance communication and social interaction among team members.

Remember, the key to successful virtual team building lies in choosing the right game and facilitating an environment that encourages open communication, mutual respect, and fun.

Regardless of the type of game you choose, it’s important to ensure that all team members feel included and valued and that the experience contributes to building a stronger, more harmonious team.

Top 10 Online Games & Team Building Platforms for Remote Workers

Get into the digital gaming world with our top 10 online games and team-building platforms designed to nurture cooperation, camaraderie, and fun among remote workers.

1. Online Escape Rooms

Online Escape Rooms offer a thrilling virtual experience that combines problem-solving, teamwork, and a race against the clock. These digital adaptations of physical escape rooms challenge teams to collaborate and communicate effectively to solve puzzles and riddles, all while immersed in a captivating storyline.

With themes ranging from detective mysteries to sci-fi adventures, Online Escape Rooms provides an engaging platform for remote teams to develop critical thinking skills and strengthen bonds while having a blast.

Some of the best games for online escape rooms include legendary titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or Grand Theft Auto IV, which have been praised for their immersive storytelling and complex problem-solving elements. In 2023, games like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild garnered attention for their innovative gameplay and engaging narratives.

While these games are not traditional escape rooms, they can inspire the design of your own virtual escape room experiences, making team-building sessions even more exciting and memorable.

2. Virtual Trivia Games

Inject a dose of friendly competition into your remote team with Virtual Trivia Games. These games are an absolute hit among teams looking to test their general knowledge, pop culture prowess, or industry-specific understanding. They provide a platform for learning and engagement and promote quick thinking and healthy rivalry among colleagues.

Platforms like Kahoot!, QuizUp, and TriviaMaker offer diverse categories, customizable quizzes, and real-time scoring, making your trivia sessions lively and engaging. For a more tailored experience, you can create trivia questions relevant to your industry or company, adding a personal touch to the fun.

3. Strategy Games

Strategy games are the perfect choice for teams that love tackling challenges head-on and strategizing to achieve their goals. These games require players to plan, negotiate, and make decisions that affect the game’s outcome, honing their problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fun and interactive setting.

One popular example is the critically acclaimed Civilization series, where players build and grow civilizations from scratch. Another fascinating choice is StarCraft II, a military science fiction game that demands strategic planning and resource management.

For those who prefer a more collaborative approach, cooperative board games like Pandemic require teams to work together to prevent global outbreaks.

4. Collaborative Puzzle Games

Collaborative Puzzle Games challenge players to work together to solve puzzles or complete tasks, promoting teamwork and collaboration in a fun and engaging environment.

The popular game Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a prime example of this genre. In this fun game, one player attempts to defuse a bomb following the instructions given by their teammates, who have the manual but can’t see the bomb.

Another notable game is Portal 2‘s cooperative mode, where players must work together to navigate through a series of complex puzzles using portals.

5. Interactive Storytelling Games

Interactive Storytelling Games provide a unique platform for team members to engage in immersive narratives while making choices that shape the story’s outcome. This genre fosters empathy, decision-making skills, and strategic thinking as players navigate complex scenarios and character interactions.

Games like The Walking Dead from Telltale Games allow players to experience a narrative affected by their decisions, fostering a sense of responsibility and strategic thinking. Another example is Until Dawn, a horror game where each choice can mean life or death for the characters.

For teams that prefer a more light-hearted narrative, games like The Stanley Parable offer a humorous and surreal exploration of choice and consequence.

These games offer an engaging storytelling experience and challenge players to think critically and make strategic decisions, adding depth to virtual team-building activities.

6. Virtual Reality Games

Virtual Reality (VR) games offer a whole new level of immersion, transporting players into a fully interactive 3D environment. These games are great for team building, as they often require cooperation and communication to overcome challenges in the virtual world.

Beat Saber is a fun and engaging game. In it, players slash through blocks representing musical beats with a pair of red and blue lightsabers. It’s a great way to bond over shared success and rhythm!

For those looking for a more collaborative experience, the VR game Rec Room offers a wide variety of mini-games, from paintball to escape rooms, that teams can enjoy together.

7. Multiplayer Online Games

Multiplayer online games often require strategic planning, role assignment, and effective communication, making them excellent for strengthening team dynamics.

One of the most popular examples is Fortnite, a battle royale game where teams must work together to be the last one standing. Another example is League of Legends, a fast-paced, competitive online game that combines the speed and intensity of an RTS with RPG elements. Players must work together to strategize and defeat their opponents.

These games provide a fun and engaging way for teams to bond and improve their cooperation skills. Whether your team is defending a base, launching an attack, or coordinating a rescue mission, multiplayer online games can be a great addition to your virtual team-building activities.

8. Team Building Platforms with Various Games

Team building platforms that offer various games are a one-stop solution for organizations looking to foster camaraderie and teamwork. These platforms often have various games catering to diverse interests and skill sets.

One such platform is Jackbox Games, which offers party packs filled with various fun, engaging games that can be played remotely. These games range from trivia to drawing contests, ensuring something for everyone on the team.

Another platform is TeamBonding, which offers virtual team-building activities like escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and cooking classes. This variety ensures that every team member can find an activity they enjoy, fostering positive team dynamics.

These platforms provide teams with a plethora of options, encouraging interaction, collaboration, and plenty of laughter, all critical components of effective team building.

9. Creative Collaboration Games

Creative collaboration games are a unique blend of fun and productivity, promoting innovative thinking and encouraging teamwork. They are designed to ignite creativity and encourage collaboration among team members.

An excellent example of such a game is Minecraft, where players can build and explore virtual worlds together. It’s a sandbox game that encourages creativity and cooperation, as teams can work together to make intricate structures or solve complex challenges.

Similarly, Scribbl.io is an online multiplayer drawing and guessing game. In this game, one player draws a word while others think the word based on the drawing. It’s a fun way to promote communication and creativity within a team.

These games entertain and promote creative problem-solving, making them an ideal choice for teams looking to enhance their creative synergy.

10. Health and Wellness Challenges

Health and wellness challenges are a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle among your team members. These challenges often span several weeks and range from fitness challenges to mindfulness practices.

Platforms like IncentFit offer a variety of wellness challenges, such as step competitions or sleep-tracking challenges. These challenges encourage team members to adopt healthier habits while fostering a sense of friendly competition.

Another platform, Wellable, allows businesses to create custom wellness challenges that align with their company’s health objectives. These challenges, from nutrition tracking to yoga classes, cater to various wellness interests.

Implementing health and wellness challenges not only promotes a healthier lifestyle but also boosts morale and productivity in the workplace. It’s a win-win situation for both the employees and the organization.

Tips for Implementing Online Team-Building Games

Here are some practical tips and best practices to effectively introduce online team-building games at work:

1. Understand Your Team’s Interests

Before selecting a game, it’s crucial to understand your team’s interests. Survey your team members to find out what type of games they enjoy. This will ensure that the chosen game is engaging and enjoyable for everyone.

2. Set Clear Objectives

What do you hope to achieve through these games? Whether improving communication, promoting creativity, or simply having fun, setting clear objectives will guide your choice of games and help you measure their effectiveness.

3. Schedule Regular Game Sessions

To make the most of online team-building games, schedule regular game sessions. This could be once a week, monthly, or whatever frequency works best for your team. Consistency is key in building rapport and fostering teamwork.

4. Provide Necessary Resources

Ensure all team members have the necessary resources to participate in the games. This could include a stable internet connection, a device to play the game on, and any essential software or applications.

5. Encourage Participation

Encourage all team members to participate in the games. Remember, the goal is to foster teamwork and camaraderie, which is best achieved when everyone is involved.

Following these tips, you can successfully implement online team-building games and create a more cohesive and engaged remote team.

The Future of Virtual Teams

The landscape of remote work is rapidly evolving, with it, the concept of virtual teams. A significant trend in the future could be hybrid team building, catering to both in-person and remote team members. This could involve activities that everyone can participate in regardless of their location.

There will likely be an increased focus on employee engagement, with team-building activities designed to foster connection, boost morale, and make employees feel valued. Addressing feelings of isolation and disengagement that can come with remote work will be a priority, with activities offering more opportunities for casual social interaction and personal connection.

Another trend to watch out for is increased learning opportunities within team-building activities. Many employees desire more virtual learning experiences so that team-building may morph into professional workshops, skill-sharing sessions, or problem-solving challenges.

Lastly, positive impact activities are set to grow. Team-building exercises might increasingly involve actions that contribute positively to society or the environment, such as charity work or sustainability initiatives. As these trends suggest, the future of virtual team building looks bright, promising more engaging, inclusive, and meaningful experiences for remote teams.

Final Word: Online Games for Remote Teams

Putting it simply, online games play a pivotal role in fostering unity, collaboration. Without a physical office, natural opportunities to connect and bond with colleagues don’t exist. This means that in a remote-first workforce, companies need to be especially intentional about team-building. Online games is one of the most powerful ways to build ream morale.