Generation X "Box" and Beyond - Part 2 of 2

The gamer generation has, in an important way, grown up in a different reality than the rest of us. The billions of dollar and hours they have spent in the virtual worlds has shaped how they relate and influenced their belief of what they should do to "make it" in "the world".

Part II - The WAY IT IS in the Gamer World

How People Relate

• It’s all about competition - You're always competing; even if you collaborate with others, there is some character or score to beat.
• Relationships are structured - To make the game work, everyone must play a role such as competitor/ally, or boss/subordinate.
• We are all alone - The gaming experience is basically solitary, even if played in groups.
• Young people rule - Young people dominate gaming. No attention is paid to elders. Paying your dues takes a short time.
• People are simple - Their skill may be complex, multi-dimensional, and user-configurable, but their personality types and behaviors are simple.

What You Should Do

• Rebel - Edginess and attitude are dominant elements of the culture.
• Be a hero - You always get the star's role; that is the only way to succeed or get satisfaction.
• Bond with people who share your game experience, not your national or cultural background - It's a very global world, in design, consuption, and characters. It creates an expectation of diversity in business life as well.
• Make your own way in the world - Leaders are irrelevant and often evil; ignore them.
• Tune out and have fun - When reality is boring, you hop into the game world. The whole experience of gaming is escapist.

Along with these new "rules' of engagement and gaming come expectations about what the workplace will be like i.e. diverse, fair, immediately interactive and welcoming to the new ideas and creations of the newest member on the team.

Business leaders looking to attract, grow and retain younger talent need to ask themselves, "Are we ready and willing to play the game?"

Comments

[Katie Kay]

I cannot tell you how much insight this has brought to me about the way my 21 year old son thinks and reacts. He is a gamer and I can see his personality traights in all the behaviors listed. Thank you!

[Brian Keith]

Anna,
As a Halo player, I would add one more to these lists-

In the gaming world, you get to choose your own specialization, and it isn't that hard to change that specialization.

For example, I am better at driving vehicles than using the turrets on them, and people know that, and I get respect for that. This leads me to the expectation that if I can do something fundamentally better than someone else, I should earn respect for it.

Not quite how the real world works...

Brian