Are You a Gamer?
Visit www.riftgame.com.
Ok, so I confess. I – I – I am a gamer. Not hardcore like some people, but I do enjoy some downtime with an imersive video game. I don’t play console games, but online MMOs. I started out in this genre a couple of years ago, and started with perhaps the most well known, World of Warcraft. And I was hooked. What a wonderful diversion these games are….much better than watching TV, in my opinion. The downside is however, that between my work and my play, I am almost never off the computer, and that has its consequences also.
Moving on. Earlier this year, I migrated from WoW to a brand new MMO, Rift. While being similar in concept and gameplay to WoW, Rift is in many ways worlds apart. The game is slick, beautiful, realistic and utterly engaging. Just a glance at the image above, shows how graphically beautiful this game is.
So what does gaming have to do with business?
Well, quite a few things in fact. First of all, lest we forget, the game itself IS a business. They are built by corporate game developers and have a large customer base to take care of. And, who knows how many of those stuffy white collar workers, are in fact, gamers. So here is the thing that connects the endeavor of creating a “game” played by consumers, to an application that is built and geared towards other businesses. Satisfaction. Pure and simple. Satisfaction.
In order for a game to be successful, it has to have a bunch of the same ideas that apply to a business application. Is it visually appealing? Is it easy to use? Does it have a clear workflow/gameplay? Is the support customer oriented? Are there frequent updates and enhancements? All of these things apply across the board. But, in my experience in dealing with games vs. dealing with business providers, are very different.
For example:
Gaming companies tend to have a very informal relationship with their players. There is an open dialogue on issues, bugs, and suggestions. Oftentimes issues are met with humor when they are resolved, where the reading of a “fix list” can cause you to giggle. Hot fixes or patches are done on a regular basis. Typically weekly, but in the case of Rift, as it is a new game, they are done spontaneously and as needed.
Contrarily:
Business developers tend to have a very formal relationship with the customers. While there can be an open dialogue on issues and bugs, more often the business developer tends to minimize or hide these little failures, rather than openly acknowledge and deal with them. They are swept under the rug until the next big release. And releases. Again, typically items are stockpiled for a major version release, unless that is, it is a bug that is critically affecting the application.
Why is there this huge difference?
I hate to think that all business people, those that are our customers, are stuffy, prim and proper, and completely lacking in humanity or a sense of humor. Do they really thrive on the formal and corporate level of communication? Or would they also like to be dealt with on a friendly, informal and fun basis? I am not dismissing professionalism here. There is no way that companies like Blizzard and Trion can survive and thrive without professionalism. But since when did being a professional mean that you were this emotionless automaton?
Ummm….Mutiny?
Yes, another mutiny. Since we began this endeavor, we have been very clear on the fact that we do not want to fall into the corporate trap that is so prevalent in today’s business world. We have done our best to live up to our ideals, to be honest and forthright, to show our flaws as well as our good points. To treat everyone with respect, integrity and even friendship. Perhaps more businesses should take a look at the way the more artistic and consumer oriented businesses are run. Maybe their customers should be treated more as a community than as a business. Just because it is business, by no means does it have to be dull, tedious and boring. Have a lil fun folks!
